Rules & Policies

At Bay Area Fencing Club (BAFC), maintaining active USA Fencing membership is a strict policy requirement for all fencers, coaches, and staff participating in club activities.

• Mandatory Participation Requirement: Fencers must hold a valid USA Fencing membership at all times to participate in group classes, open fencing, or private lessons. Non-members or those without active status may be subject to additional non-member floor fees or restricted from accessing the strip.
• Registration & Verification: After purchasing or renewing a membership through the USA Fencing portal, fencers/parents must provide their USA Fencing membership number to the BAFC front desk to update their athlete profile. Proof of membership is also required for local, regional, and national tournament check-ins.
• Coach Compliance & Safety Standards: All BAFC coaches must hold a USA Fencing Coach Membership. This requires passing comprehensive criminal background checks, completing annual U.S. Center for SafeSport training (FenceSafe), and adhering to national coaching education guidelines.
• Insurance & Safety: USA Fencing membership includes athlete accident insurance and liability coverage while participating in sanctioned fencing activities.
• Annual Renewal Cycle: USA Fencing memberships run on the official national fencing season calendar (August 1 through July 31) and must be renewed annually to maintain active status with BAFC.
• Trial Period Exemption: New fencers taking advantage of a 90-day trial membership must register for full USA Fencing membership immediately upon expiration to continue training at the club.

• Safety is our highest priority.

• Full protective equipment is required during all fencing activities, including:

  • Fencing mask
  • Jacket
  • Underarm protector (plastron)
  • Glove
  • Knickers
  • Knee-high socks
• Chest protectors are required for all fencers. FIE-approved chest protectors are mandatory for foil competition.
• Weapons, body cords, and electrical equipment must be in safe working condition before use. Damaged equipment must be repaired or replaced immediately.
• Running with weapons, horseplay, or fencing without a properly secured mask is strictly prohibited.
• Athletes must follow all safety instructions from coaches and staff at all times.

• Every BAFC member is expected to represent both Bay Area Fencing Club and USA Fencing with integrity, respect, and sportsmanship.

• As members of the fencing community, we will:

  • Demonstrate honesty, integrity, and good sportsmanship at all times.
  • Follow all USA Fencing rules, regulations, SafeSport/FenceSafe policies, and competition guidelines.
  • Treat coaches, referees, teammates, opponents, volunteers, tournament officials, parents, and spectators with courtesy and respect.
  • Respect individuals of all backgrounds regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or ability.
  • Never engage in abusive, threatening, intimidating, discriminatory, or harassing behavior, whether in person or through electronic communication or social media.
  • Support clean sport by complying with all applicable anti-doping rules established by USA Fencing, the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and the Fédération Internationale d'Escrime (FIE).
  • Never physically confront or make aggressive contact with referees, officials, coaches, or fellow athletes.
  • Remember that every member serves as an ambassador for the sport of fencing both inside and outside the club.

• On the Fencing Strip

  • Salute your opponent and the referee before and after every bout.
  • Show respect regardless of the outcome of the match.
  • Accept coaching and officiating decisions with professionalism.
  • Unsportsmanlike conduct, profanity, bullying, cheating, or intentional damage to equipment will not be tolerated.
  • Parents and guests are asked to remain off the fencing floor during classes, lessons, and training sessions unless invited by a coach.
• Failure to follow the BAFC Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action, including suspension or termination of membership.

Consistent attendance and punctuality are essential for skill development, injury prevention, and maintaining quality training flow.

• Arrival & Warm-Up: Athletes should arrive 10 minutes before class to gear up and complete preliminary stretches.

• Private Lessons

  • Private lessons must be scheduled in advance and are reserved for active club members.
  • 24-Hour Cancellation Policy: Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance, or no-shows, will be charged the full lesson fee. Medical emergencies are exempt from the charge, but the exemption is limited to 3 times per season without a doctor's note.

• Tardiness Policy: The opening 10–15 minutes of class include vital group warm-ups and injury-prevention drills.

  • Up to 15 Minutes Late: Athletes must complete an independent warm-up on the side before joining the floor, at the coach's discretion.
  • More than 15 Minutes Late: To protect athlete safety and prevent soft-tissue injuries from skipped warm-ups, late arrivals may not be permitted to join the active session, at the coach's discretion. They are encouraged to observe class from the sidelines or schedule a make-up session.
• Absences & Make-Up Classes: Please notify the club as early as possible if an athlete will be absent. Make-up sessions are subject to class availability and coach approval, and must be completed within the current season. Make-up classes may not accrue more than 4 per season.
• Group Advancement: Frequent absences or chronic tardiness directly impact technical progression and may delay advancement into Intermediate, Competitive, or Elite training groups.

Bay Area Fencing Club utilizes Pike13 for all secure billing and account management.

• Billing Cycle: Tuition is billed automatically on a monthly basis and is due on the 1st of each month. Late payments may be subject to a processing fee.
• Membership Cancellation: Cancellations require a 30-day written notice submitted to the front desk or via official email. Dues for the 30-day period following notice remain non-refundable.
• Events, Camps & Clinics: Registrations for camps, clinics, tournaments, and special events are non-refundable within 14 days of the event start date.

The safety and well-being of our athletes is our highest priority. We ask parents and guardians to partner with us to maintain a secure environment.

• Punctuality: Parents/guardians must ensure athletes are dropped off on time and picked up promptly when their scheduled class ends.
• Youth Supervision (Ages 9 & Under): Fencers under 10 years of age must be accompanied by an adult inside the building until their class begins, and must be met inside the lobby immediately following dismissal. Athletes are not permitted to wait outside unattended.
• Staff Oversight: BAFC coaches and staff supervise athletes strictly during their active, scheduled class times. BAFC is not responsible for unsupervised athletes outside of their official session windows.

Bay Area Fencing Club periodically documents daily training, camps, and tournaments for athletic instruction, promotional efforts, and community engagement.

• Usage: Media captured may be used across BAFC's official media channels, including our website, social media, digital newsletters, and printed marketing materials.
• Opt-Out Policy: We fully respect the privacy of our families. Parents or adult athletes who prefer not to appear in media content must submit a written request to the front desk. BAFC will make every reasonable effort to honor all opt-out preferences promptly.