What Is Fencing?
Courtesy of the US Fencing Association Website, usfa.org
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 document may be reproduced freely in either printed or
electronic form as long as the US Fencing Association is credited.
