Tournaments are not the primary focus of the AHF. Nevertheless they are a valuable educational tool which provide the means and the opportunity for fencers to test themselves in a structured adversarial situation. The AHF tournament is designed specifically to allow fencers to express to the fullest extent of their ability what they have learned and internalized during their training. Tournaments thus provide the fencers the opportunity to face unfamiliar fencers where they must adapt to the circumstances, problem solve and make instant decisions. The Fencing Officials Commission (FOC) is the regulatory body for training and certifying tournament judges and directors.
