Fencing basics
Fencing is a modern, safe and exciting sport ideal for men and women of all ages. Deriving from old sword-fighting skills, fencing has become a sport which, at the highest level, requires outstanding technical skill, fitness, agility, quick reflexes, a cool head and tactical awareness. Fencing is divided into three weapons, each with its distinct rules and tactics. Most fencers will fence two or three weapons well, but will specialise in one. The majority of our club members fence with a foil, which is widely used as the training weapon of fencing and is a great grounding for all three weapons
Weapons
The three weapons are:
Foil
A light weapon, developed from the small-sword of the eighteenth century. Hits are made on the torso with the point, and simultaneous hits are governed by 'right of attack'. This means that the fencer who initiates an attacking movement will score the hit, unless the defender first deflects the opponent’s blade, or makes it miss. For a hit to be valid it must be delivered with at least 500 grams of pressure (this is detected by a spring loaded tip which is wired to an electronic scoring box).
Epee
Heavier than the foil and with a larger guard, the epee is descended from the duelling rapier of the sixteenth and seventeenth century. Hits can be scored anywhere on the body and must be made with the point. For a hit to be valid it must be delivered with at least 750 grams of pressure (this is detected by a spring loaded tip which is wired to an electronic scoring box). Simultaneous hits score one point each.
Sabre
the fastest of all the fencing weapons and the only one which uses cutting actions as well as point attacks. The sabre is descended from the eighteenth and nineteenth century heavy cavalry sword. The target for sabre is above the waist, and, as in foil, simultaneous hits are decided by 'right of attack'. Any contact is a valid hit at sabre i.e. No particular level of pressure is required to score a valid hit.
Weapons
The three weapons are:
Foil
A light weapon, developed from the small-sword of the eighteenth century. Hits are made on the torso with the point, and simultaneous hits are governed by 'right of attack'. This means that the fencer who initiates an attacking movement will score the hit, unless the defender first deflects the opponent’s blade, or makes it miss. For a hit to be valid it must be delivered with at least 500 grams of pressure (this is detected by a spring loaded tip which is wired to an electronic scoring box).
Epee
Heavier than the foil and with a larger guard, the epee is descended from the duelling rapier of the sixteenth and seventeenth century. Hits can be scored anywhere on the body and must be made with the point. For a hit to be valid it must be delivered with at least 750 grams of pressure (this is detected by a spring loaded tip which is wired to an electronic scoring box). Simultaneous hits score one point each.
Sabre
the fastest of all the fencing weapons and the only one which uses cutting actions as well as point attacks. The sabre is descended from the eighteenth and nineteenth century heavy cavalry sword. The target for sabre is above the waist, and, as in foil, simultaneous hits are decided by 'right of attack'. Any contact is a valid hit at sabre i.e. No particular level of pressure is required to score a valid hit.
Labels: 5. Fencing Basics
