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What is Fencing?
The sport of fencing is fast and athletic, a far cry from the choreographed bouts you see on film or
on the stage. Instead of swinging from a chandelier or leaping from balconies, you will see two
fencers performing an intense dance on a six-feet-by-40-feet strip. The movement is so fast the
touches are scored electrically - more like Star Wars than Errol Flynn.
The Weapons
Foil, épée and sabre are the three weapons used in the sport of fencing. While it is not unusual
for fencers to compete in all three events, they generally choose to develop their skills in one
weapon. Until recently, women were permitted to compete only in foil, but now the USFA & FIE
offer national competitions for women in épée and sabre. Women's épée was added to the
World Championships in 1989 and was held for the first time at the Olympic Games in 1996.
Foil and épée are point-thrusting weapons. Sabre is a point-thrusting as well as a cutting
weapon. The target areas differ for the three weapons, though all three are scored electrically.
Object
The main object of a fencing bout (what an individual "game" is called) is to effectively score 15
points (in direct elimination play) or five points (in preliminary pool play) on your opponent before
he scores that number on you. Each time a fencer scores a touch, she receives a point. Direct
elimination matches consist of three three-minute periods.
Foil
The foil has a flexible rectangular blade, approximately 35 inches in length, weighing less than
one pound. Points are scored with the tip of the blade and must land within the torso of the body.
The valid target area in foil is the torso, from the shoulders to the groin, front and back. It does not
include the arms, neck, head and legs. The foil fencer's uniform includes a metallic vest (called a
lamé) which covers the valid target area, so that a valid touch will register on the scoring machine.
A small, spring-loaded tip is attached to the point of the foil and is connected to a wire inside the
blade. The fencer wears a body cord inside his uniform which connects the foil to a reel wire,
connected to the scoring machine.
There are two scoring lights on the machine. One shows a green light when a fencer is hit, and
one shows a red light when her opponent is hit. A touch landing outside the valid target area (that
which is not covered by the lamé) is indicated by a white light. These "off target" hits do not count
in the scoring, but they do stop the fencing action temporarily.
Épée
The épée (pronounced "EPP-pay"), the descendant of the dueling sword, is similar in length to
the foil, but is heavier, weighing approximately 27 ounces, with a larger guard (to protect the hand
from a valid hit) and a much stiffer blade. Touches are scored only with the point of the blade. The
entire body is the valid target area.
The blade is wired with a spring-loaded tip at the end that completes an electrical circuit when it
is depressed beyond a pressure of 750 grams. This causes the colored bulb on the scoring
machine to light. Because the entire body is a valid target area, the épée fencer's uniform does
not include a lamé. Off-target hits do not register on the machine.
Sabre
The sabre is the modern version of the slashing cavalry sword, and is similar in length and weight
to the foil. The major difference is that the sabre is a thrusting weapon as well as a cutting
weapon (use of the blade). The target area is from the bend of the hips (both front and back), to
the top of the head, simulating the cavalry rider on a horse. The sabre fencer's uniform includes a
metallic jacket (lamé), which covers the target area to register a valid touch on the scoring
machine. The mask is different from foil and épée, with a metallic covering since the head is valid
target area.
Just as in foil, there are two scoring lights on the machine. One shows a green light when a fencer
is hit, and one shows a red light when the opponent has hit. Off-target hits do not register on the
machine.
Right-Of-Way
One of the most difficult concepts to visualize in foil and sabre fencing is the rule of right-of-way.
This rule was established to eliminate apparently simultaneous attacks by two fencers.
In essence, right-of-way is the differentiation of offense and defense, made by the referee. The
difference is important only when both the red and green lights go on at the same time in foil and
sabre. When this happens, the winner of the point is the one who the referee determined was on
offense at the time the lights went on.
Épée does not use the right-of-way in keeping with its dueling origin - he who first gains the touch
earns the point. Or, if both fencers hit within 1/25th of a second of each other, both earn a point.
However, it is equally important to have a sound defense for épée, since the entire body must be
protected from a touch.
How to Follow the Action
For those new to fencing, it is difficult to follow the lightning speed of the fencers' actions. To
become more comfortable in watching a fencing bout, focus on one fencer. The fencer being
attacked defends himself by use of a parry, a motion used to deflect the opponent's blade, after
which the defender can make a riposte, an answering attack. Thus, the two adversaries keep
changing between offense and defense. Whenever a hit is made, the referee will stop the bout,
describe the actions, and decide whether or not to award a touch.
Fencers seek to maintain a safe distance from each other, that is, out of range of the other's
attack. Then, one will try to break this distance to gain the advantage for an attack. At times, a
fencer will make a false attack to gauge the types of reactions by the opponent that can be
deceived in the real attack.
As you become accustomed to the speed of the game, the tactics and strategies become more
apparent, and you will gain a better understanding for the finesse and fascination of fencing!
This article is provided courtesy of the United States Fencing Association
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