Online registration for Saturday is now closed - Door registration is subject to availability

We are pleased to welcome back Dr. John Heil to Capitol Clash 2026, where he will present his highly regarded Sport Psychology Seminar. Registration is now open for those interested in attending. Seminar registrations are refundable should you or any member of your party be unable to attend.

Registration, Schedule, & Location

Date/Time:
Saturday, January 17th, 2026 or Sunday, January 18th, 2026
5:00-5:30pm Sport Psychology Presentation
5:30-6:00pm Ask Me Anything Q&A

Location:
Magnolia Room 1 - Adjacent to the hotel lobby, above the fencing exhibit halls

Please register online to guarantee your seat.

The Seminar

Rise to the challenge of the 14-14 bout through mental preparation, from lessons learned by USA Fencing Olympic teams. Be ready for competition from start to finish by taking charge of yourself, pushing through stress, and acting with decisiveness. Concluding segment: “Ask Me Anything” about sport psychology.

A must for both competitors and parents alike, this seminar will focus on how to gain a psychological edge in competition through the use of mental training, concentration and refocusing, imagery, mental practice, and developing performance routines.

Topics Include:

- The “Zone” and Sport Psychology
- Intensity Control
- Balancing Emotion and Logic
- Fencing the Critical Touch
- Competition Game Day Plan
- Dealing with Fear and Stress

Online registration for Saturday is now closed - Door registration is available

We are pleased to welcome back Doug Jones, one of the most knowledgeable armorers in USA Fencing, who will provide hands-on instruction and pro tips on how to fix your own equipment. This year, we have group sessions on both Saturday and Sunday. Registration is now open for those interested in attending. Seminar registrations are refundable should you or any member of your party be unable to attend.

Registration, Schedule, & Location

Date/Time:
Saturday, January 17th, 2026 from 6:00p.m.-7:00p.m.
Sunday, January 18th, 2026 from 6:00p.m.-7:00p.m.

Location:
Magnolia Room 2 - Adjacent to the hotel lobby, above the fencing exhibit halls

Please register online to guarantee your seat.

The Clinic:

Both fencers and their parents can learn the basics of maintaining their equipment, troubleshooting when encountering problems, and fixing it when it breaks. This one hour clinic will consist of discussions, demonstrations and practical exercises.

1. Breakdown of Each Part of the Weapon

2. Assembly and Disassembly of the Weapon

3. Testing, Maintaining, and Repairing Equipment

4. Troubleshooting Problems On and Off the Strip

5. Rewiring a Blade

6. Body Cord Quick Fixes

The Presenter:

Doug Jones is the Head Armorer for the Capitol Clash with 20+ years of experience. He has been an armorer for each of the previous Capitol Clashes; the FIE 2015-Sabre Gran Prix; the FIE 2017-Women’s Sabre World Cup; the FIE 2018-Women’s Sabre World Cup; & numerous NACs.

Registration, Schedule, & Location

Registration is still available.

Seminar registration ($75) and practical exam registration are done by emailing Referee Sean Shumate: sean.shumate@gmail.com and requesting participation directly. Please contact him and state your interest in the certification seminar and/or practical exam. He will ensure that all of your prerequisite requirements have been met. Payment is due directly to Sean Shumate at the beginning of the first seminar.

Date/Time:
Saturday, January 17th, 2026 from 6:00p.m.-9:00p.m.
Sunday, January 18th, 2026 from 6:00p.m.-9:00p.m.
Participants must attend both sessions.
Please email Sean Shumate ASAP for availability.

Location:
Magnolia Room 3 - Adjacent to the hotel lobby, above the fencing exhibit halls

Interested in becoming a Referee?

Becoming a referee has never been easier! There is a great deal to learn if you are interested in becoming a certified referee, but the first step is to jump in at the local level and referee informal bouts whenever you have the chance. Refereeing even informally among your clubmates can seem intimidating for many because nobody wants to make a mistake, but by practicing to referee you will learn the rules, as well as right of way and improve your own fencing along the way.

Hopefully, with some experience under your belt, you will make the choice to become a certified USA Fencing referee. There are multiple steps to getting your certification that are designed to help ensure a consistency among referees across the United States. Fencing is a constantly evolving sport, and there are always new and sometimes subtle changes in the way rules and convention are applied. The goal of certification is to help ensure all referees are working from the same knowledge base.

The steps involved in getting your certification are:

1. Practice in your club at every opportunity, and if possible find a local experienced referee or your coach to help mentor you.

2. Read the Rulebook. Since the job of the referee is ensure a fair bout, you have to know the rules. Even if you decide not to become a referee, this step will make you a better fencer so you can advocate for yourself in case a referee misapplies a rule.

3. Download the Referee Study Guide. Click on the link to find the updated study guide designed to help with passing the test as well as practical tips to help improve your refereeing. The study guide is laid out to create a learning environment from page one! It will help you conceptualize critical aspects of all three weapons. Get started today!

4. Take a referee seminar. Certified Referee Instructors across the United States give refereeing seminars on a regular basis. All certified referees are expected to attend a seminar every two years. All currently scheduled referee seminars can be found here. In the "All Types" box, choose "Referee Seminars."

5. Take the online exam. The test is divided into a general section, as well as weapon specific sections. There is a fee to take the exam, but if you fail, can retake the exam within the next 48 hours. Did you pass?  Congratulations, you just earned your first referee rating!

6. Take a practical examination. By passing the test alone, you earn a P rating (for pass), but in order to earn a local/regional referee rating, you must pass a practical examination administered by a Referee Examiner.

7. Get out there and ref! Refereeing is a skill that needs to be practiced. Offer to help at local tournaments and watch as much fencing as you can. Video footage of high level domestic fencing can be found on the USA Fencing Facebook page, and video of international bouts can be found on the FIE YouTube page. As you get better and more experienced, you should consider refereeing at the national level as well.

Important Requirements:

All USA Fencing referees must be a current member of USA Fencing and referees age 18 and over must purchase the +CheckEd add-on to complete a background check and Safesport training. The +CheckEd add-on can be purchased through your profile in the USA Fencing Membership Database. Referees under the age of 18 do not need the background check or Safesport training. However, upon turning 18 the referee must have the criminal background check and Safesport. A referee who is nearly his or her 18th birthday may contact the USA Fencing Safesport Coordinator to access the Safesport training so that it is completed on or by his or her 18th birthday. The criminal background check cannot be started until the referee has turned 18.

Online registration is now closed - Door registration is available

Come join our free sit down chat with our local high school coaches, Gonzaga Head Coach Robert Horan & St. Anselm's Abbey School Head Coach Sasha Ryjik with moderator Wesley Miller, an alumni of the Cleveland State Fencing Team who will answer any and all of your questions.

Date/Time:
Sunday, January 18th, 2025
Begins at 5:00p.m.

Location:
Magnolia Room 2

Take advantage of this unique opportunity to meet local high school coaches who have seen thousands of young fencers journey and can share their personal experience and knowledge. All are welcome: beginners, casual fencers, aspiring collegiate athletes and their families.

After a short discussion, there will be a Q&A session for attendees. We encourage the student athletes to ask questions!

Please register online to guarantee your seat.

Online registration is now closed - Door registration is subject to availability

Please join this free seminar hosted by Allen Evans, USA Fencing Coaches Committee chair, to learn how to prepare, execute, and evaluate your competitive fencing performance.

Topics will include:

1. Preparing your kid for a big event. Pre event planning and prep.
2. Being at the event, dealing with the size and noise
3. What to expect from coaches at a big event, role of the parent
4. Managing/tempering excitement and expectations of the athlete
5. Finishing and post event debrief 

Sunday, January 18th, 2026
Begins at 7:00p.m.
Room Location: Magnolia 1

Please register online to guarantee your seat.