Can wheelchair fencers lift off the seat?
B · Beginner · The bout · 3 of 4Fencers must stay on the seat with the soles on the footrest. Lifting from the seat is penalised and the fencer's hit is annulled, though raising one buttock is allowed. A foot leaving the footrest is a first-group offence and also annuls the hit. If a fencer loses balance, the referee calls halt without penalty.
How it works
- Seat: stay on it.
- One buttock: may rise.
- Lifting: penalty, hit annulled.
- Feet: soles on the footrest.
- Foot off: first-group offence, hit annulled.
- Losing balance: halt, no penalty.
- Hits in a fall: annulled.
- Deliberate loss of balance: penalised.
The glossary has the lifting from the wheelchair, the foot leaving the footrest, the losing balance, the sitting position (wheelchair fencing), the disability-related break and the fencing wheelchair.
Tricky cases
A fencer raises one buttock to lunge. Fault?
No.
A hit lands a moment before a fall. Valid?
Yes, if the action began before the halt.
A fencer unfastens the chair to change distance. Penalty?
A second-group offence.
A spasm interrupts the bout. Break?
Yes, as long as needed.
Why the rule exists
Standing or pushing off the footrest would add reach. Halting for a lost balance protects the fencer.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Lifting | Penalty | t.33 |
| Foot off | First group | t.32 |
| Losing balance | No penalty | t.34 |
From the rule book
World Para Fencing, Book 1 Technical Rules (January 2026), articles t.32 to t.36. Checked 14 October 2026. Official documents: World Para Fencing rulebooks 0 to 4.