What is Fencing?

Fencing is one of the first four sports in the modern Olympic games, and has been in every Olympics since 1896. There are three different disciplines: foil, sabre, and epee. Each has slightly different rules. Both women and men may compete, and the sport may be enjoyed by people of almost any age.

Although it evolved from older traditions of dueling and swordplay, modern fencing does not involve sharp or dangerous weapons of any kind. In fact, the sport is exceptionally safe, in part because fencers are required to wear uniforms and masks which are designed for maximum protection. The score is registered with electronic equipment (for example when a button is depressed on the end of the foil, etc.)

Foil

Foil is fenced with a light, thrusting weapon.  Touches may only be scored with the point, and only the torso is valid target area.  Any contact made with the edge of the foil is incidental and does not stop the action.  An attempted touch that lands on the arms, legs, or mask is considered off-target and is not counted.

To keep score, foil fencers wear a vest made of conductive material and use electric foils that are connected to a scoring machine.  When one fencer makes a touch on the other's vest, a colored light tells the referee who may get the point.

Often, beginning fencers are taught using the foil, as it provides a good way to learn basics that can later be applied to all three weapons.

Epee

Epee is also fenced with a thrusting weapon.  Compared to a foil, though, an epee is a bit heavier, the blade and bell guard are wider, and the button on the tip is a little more difficult to depress.

In epee, the entire body is valid target area.  A touch made anywhere on the opponent counts, including the arms, legs, body, and the mask.

To keep score, epee fencers use electric weapons that are plugged in to a scoring machine.  When a touch is made, a switch on the tip of the epee is depressed, and a colored light on the machine indicates which fencer or fencers have scored.

Sabre

Sabre is fenced with a cutting and thrusting weapon.  Touches may be scored with any surface of the blade.  A valid touch may be made anywhere above the belt, except for the hands.  Any blade contact made below the belt is incidental and does not stop the action.

To keep score, sabre fencers must wear a mask and a jacket with sleeves that are all made of a conductive material.  Along with the sabres themselves, these are all connected to an electronic scoring machine.  When one fencer makes a cut or thrust on valid target area, a colored light on the scoring machine is turned on, and the referee may award`a point accordingly.

Right of Way

Foil and sabre fencing include a rule called "right-of-way".  Basically, if both fencers make a touch that registers on the scoring machine, the fencer who began a threatening action first will get the referee's first consideration when awarding a touch.

Epee has no such rule.  If both fencers make a touch at the same time, both fencers get a point.