Club Escrime Winchester - Information

Padded long-sleeved jackets are tight fitting, padded in the chest area with a high collar, and fasten up the back or on the side opposite the weapon hand. They usually extend below the groin and have a strap from the bottom end, joined at the back and front to ensure the jacket cannot ride up and show any bare skin.

Breeches are ¾ length trousers, worn with knee high white socks. Any fencer wishing to fence electric must however wear breeches.

Plastron is a partial jacket (½ a jacket in effect) worn under the long-sleeve padded jacket on the weapon arm to give extra protection, especially under the armpit. The plastron seams do not match up with those on the jacket, in case a blade finds its way through a loose seam.

Masks protect the head and face. They have a small holed wire mesh visor to ensure no blade can enter and a padded bib, which covers the neck. This bib section must be pulled down over the high collar on the jacket, again to ensure no gaps are visible. At first, some people may find the mask uncomfortable but usually the straps just need adjusting. If you find the mask is uncomfortable please see a club official who will help you find the right size and fit.

Chest Protectors: Several different sorts of chest protection are available. Some jackets have pockets into which round plastic protectors can be placed. Specially moulded plastic full breast plates are also available. It is recommended that all female fencers where a chest protector.

Gloves are worn on the fencing arm only. The opposing hand is always bare. The glove covers about half the forearm with extra padding on the backhand to protect the weapon hand and must extend over to cover the cuffs of the jacket to ensure no blade can penetrate up the sleeve.

Electric Equipment:

Lame (foil and sabre) - Also known as the electric jacket. This is a lightweight metallic skillet worn over the padded jacket. This jacket also indicates the target area used in foil fencing. This metallic jacket is used only in electric fencing. The jacket itself when hit by an opponent using an electric foil will set off a light on the electrical scoring box to show the fencers and the referee that a touch has been made.

Body Wire - This is a wire that connects the electric foil via the fencer to the electrical scoring box. The body wire is feed through the fencer’s glove from the foil and up the arm and out the back of the jacket. This is then connected to the electric box and also hooked up to the back of the fencer so that no wires are hanging to cause a trip hazard.