Amateur Fencers League of America

The Amateur Fencers League of America (AFLA) was founded on April 22, 1891, in New York City by a group of fencers seeking independence from the Amateur Athletic Union. As early as 1940, the AFLA was recognized by the Fédération Internationale d'Escrime (FIE) and the United States Olympic Committee as the national governing body for fencing in the United States.

Less than a year after the AFLA's founding, friendly relations were restored with the AAU. The first competitions were visually judged using a jury of three people. Early rules included provisions to award points based on good form. During the AFLA's early years, it—and the prominent New York City fencing clubs—limited membership to people from prominent aristocratic families, and did not allow Jews and Blacks to become members. During the AFLA's first year, divisional organizations formed in New England and Nebraska, while the New York fencers remained in the "non divisional group". The first section (composed of three or more divisions), the Pacific Coast section, was formed in 1925, followed in 1934 by the Mid West section. In 1939, the national championships were held in San Francisco, the first time they had ever been held outside New York City. The All Eastern section was recognized in 1939 as well. By this time, more foil and épée competitions were being judged electrically than visually (sabre remained visually judged). In addition to the non divisional group, the AFLA boasted 49 active divisions. The AFLA changed its name to the United States Fencing Association (c. f.) in June 1981. In 1982, the organization moved its headquarters to Colorado Springs, Colorado.

151 pages in length. Electrical foil rules included for the first time. Target area for electrical foil excludes the bib of the fencing mask. Épée bouts are to one touch or five minutes or, to two to five touches or ten minutes. Alternate rules for 8 point bouts (women's foil) and 10 point bouts (men at all weapons), with a requirement of a two point advantage are included (15 minute time limit). Touches which arrive off target (at sabre and foil) as a result of a parry stop the phrase. Three weapon bouts are limited to five minutes per weapon. At foil, sabre, and multi touch épée, tie scores are decided via sudden death, while at one touch épée ties result in a loss for both fencers. At foil, fencers are given a warning when they get within one meter of the rear limit of the strip. At sabre and épée, fencers are given a warning when they get within two meters of the rear limit of the strip. Reversal of positions of the fencers is permitted at both standard and electrical épée. Fencers are classified as unclassified, C, B, or A. Changes in classification occur at the end of the season.

287 pages in length. Target area for foil uniformly excludes the bib of the fencing mask. Field of play for épée and sabre is extended to 14 meters in length, with a uniform warning line for all weapons. Crossing the rear limit with both feet results in a point for the other fencer. Crossing the side limit with both feet results in the loss of 1 meter of ground in foil or 2 meters of ground in sabre and épée. At all weapons, fencers are given a warning when they retreat past the warning line. Time limits for all weapons are 5 minutes for 4 touch bouts, 6 minutes for 5 touch bouts, 10 minutes for 8 touch bouts, and 12 minutes for 10 touch bouts. A warning is given when there is one minute left. Outdoor sabre competition eliminated. Three weapon events eliminated. Reversal of positions of the fencers is prohibited at all weapons. Target area for women's foil made the same as for men's foil.

Most of the activity in the AFLA occurred at the divisional level. As a democratic organization, divisions enjoyed almost complete autonomy. In 1938, Helene Mayer won the Fencing Association's San Francisco Division men's title; two days later she was stripped of the title, as the Association adopted a rule banning competition between women and men, stating that since fencing involved physical contact, "a chivalrous man found it difficult to do his worst when he faced a woman." The restriction was later lifted in the 1950s.