Rules and Code of Conduct
The Marx Fencing Academy (MFA) is open to anyone with an interest in promoting or engaging in the Olympic sport of fencing. Membership and participation at MFA is a privilege with obligations, not a right. MFA expects all members, non-member participants, guests, coaches, and staff to follow these Rules and Code of Conduct. MFA reserves the right to update the Rules and Code of Conduct and inform athletes/parents accordingly.
No Discrimination: All MFA participants and guests are to treat, at all times and in all respects, all other members, participants, guests, staff and instructors in a manner free of discrimination or harassment including on the basis of race, color, religion, gender or sexual orientation.
Attendance and Push Up Policy: All athletes and/or guests are required to check in at the front desk upon arrival. Failure to do so may require a vast amount of push ups. If arriving by the side door in order to avoid checking in, 2x the amount of pushups will be incurred and added to your account. Please arrive promptly for all classes and be warmed up prior to scheduled lessons. Failure to arrive on time and warmed up for lessons will not increase your lesson time.
Payments: Participants are expected to pay promptly when owed, all guest fees, membership dues, tournament fees, travel costs, equipment costs and any other amounts owed to MFA. If payments are in arrears by two months, member’s privileges may be suspended until payment is made. If payments are not made by the 15th of the month in which the term begins a late fee of $40.00 will be assesed.
Absences: If an absence is unavoidable, a make-up class may be taken only within the term it was missed. If a fencer will be absent, he or she must notify MFA either by email or a phone call within 24 hours prior to, or after, the missed class. An excused absence is one that is approved before the class is missed, verified with a doctor’s note for an illness, a death in the family, a religious obligation, a standardized test such as an SAT, or a college visit. MFA does not issue tuition refunds.
Physical Safety: Physical safety is the highest priority at the MFA. All participants are expected to exercise control of their actions and demeanor while fencing or otherwise participating at MFA. All participants are expected to exercise good judgment as to the degree of force when fencing, acknowledging what is reasonable and appropriate to the age, size and experience level of their opponents.
Sportsmanship: Good sportsmanship, like physical safety, is another priority of MFA. All fencing encounters are to be conducted in a respectful and courteous manner regardless of whether the encounter takes place during open bouting, at a tournament or during class. All participants are expected to salute their opponent and the referee, if any, before and after each encounter, and to shake hands with their opponent after each bout in a sportsmanlike manner.
Scoring/Referees: In non-refereed bouts, discussions of priority and valid touches are to be resolved quickly and amicably between the participants, or thrown out. In non-electric bouting, fencers are expected to acknowledge touches against them. In refereed bouts, the decision belongs solely to the referee and that decision is final unless, at a tournament, it is a question appropriate for the bout committee. Fencers and guests are expected to treat all referees with respect, regardless of the outcome of any particular call or encounter.
Equipment: All participants are expected to keep any equipment owned by them in a safe condition, and are responsible for the suitability and condition of that equipment. All participants using MFA equipment are not to use any equipment that appears damaged or unsafe, and to give such equipment to an instructor. If, when using MFA equipment, a weapon is broken, please give it directly to a coach or bring to the front desk. Beyond the beginning level all fencers are required to purchase their own equipment and fence in proper fencing attire at all times.
Armory: The MFA armory is a space provided for athletes and parents to do weapon repair. Athletes and parents are expected to pay for all screws, tips, wires etc that are directly from the MFA. Please follow rules of the armory by signing in and cleaning up after yourself.
MFA Activities: Non-involved participants or guests must treat all classes and programs at the MFA with respect. Participants and guests must not interrupt instructors or an ongoing activity except in an emergency.
Study Hall. The study hall is a space provided for athletes to do homework and quiet activities. The study hall is a non-supervised area and MFA takes no responsibility for accidents, injuries, etc., that may occur. Parents of children using the study hall are expected to exercise supervisory control over their children’s behavior. Athletes are expected to clean up and leave the room tidy. This room is provided as a courtesy; please treat MFA spaces with respect and care.
Tournament Conduct: Members attending tournaments represent MFA to the wider fencing community. Members are bound by these MFA rules and by the USFA and USOC codes of conduct regardless of whether the tournament is a local, regional, national or international competition. Any fencer representing the MFA who breaches any of these rules or the USFA or USOC codes of conduct may be subject to disciplinary action by Marx Fencing Academy.
Ejection: If at any time a participant or guest threatens the safety of another participant, guest, staff or instructor, the owners or coaching staff may immediately remove the threatening participant or guest from MFA premises. The owners will promptly determine the duration that such removal will remain in effect and any other penalties.
REVOCATION OF PRIVILEGES: MFA may revoke the membership and/or use privileges of any person whether member, non-member, guest, visitor, or participant whom we determine has violated any of these Rules.