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GENERAL INFORMATION

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Overview

Fencing is a combat sport in which two competitors, each holding a weapon in one hand, face each other to hit their opponent on a valid target area of the body. The rules differ according to the type of weapon used. There are three types of weapon used in Olympic fencing:

foil, épée and saber.

 

In épée and foil, fencers only score when they strike their opponent with the point of their weapon.

  • In foil the target area is the trunk only (torso, shoulders and neck).

  • In épée the target area covers the entire body from the mask down to the feet.

 

In saber, hits made with the point (tip), edge, or back of the blade are counted as valid, with the target area including the entire torso above the waist, as well as the head and arms.

 

Fencing is only one of five sports that has been contested in every modern Olympic Games since 1896.

Weapons

Foil

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The foil is a light thrusting weapon with a maximum weight of 500 grams. The foil targets the torso, but not the arms or legs. The foil has a small circular hand guard that serves to protect the hand from direct stabs.

As the hand is not a valid target in foil, this is primarily for safety. Touches are scored only with the tip; hits with the side of the blade do not register on the electronic scoring apparatus
(and do not halt the action)

Touches that land outside the target area
(called an off-target touch and signaled by a distinct color on the scoring apparatus) stop the action, but are not scored. Only a single touch can be awarded to either fencer at the end of a phrase. If both fencers hit, the referee applies the rules of "right of way" to determine which fencer is awarded the touch.

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Epee

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The épée is a thrusting weapon like the foil, but heavier, with a maximum total weight of 775 grams.

In épée, the entire body is a valid target. The hand guard on the épée is a large circle that effectively covers the hand, which is a valid target in épée. Like foil, all hits must be with the tip and not the sides of the blade.

As the entire body is a legal target, there is no concept of an off-target touch, except if the fencer accidentally strikes the floor, setting off the light and tone on the scoring apparatus.

Unlike foil and saber, épée does not use "right of way", simultaneous touches to both fencers, known as "double touches."

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Saber

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The saber is a light cutting and thrusting weapon that targets the entire body above the waist, including the head and both the hands.

The maximum legal weight of a saber is 500 grams. The hand guard on the saber wraps around the back of the fencer’s hand and is generally turned outwards during sport to protect the sword arm from touches. Hits with the entire blade or point are valid. As in foil, touches that land outside the target area are not scored.

However, unlike foil, these off-target touches do not stop the action, and the fencing continues. In the case of both fencers landing a scoring touch, the referee determines which fencer receives the point for the action, again through the use of "right of way".

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EQUIPMENT

Fencers wear protective equipment that must meet specified standards:
Jacket - Knickers - Underarm Protector - Plastic Plastron - Glove - Mask - Long Socks

Electric Scoring

Fencing is scored by electronic signaling devices.

The weapons, and the targets in foil and saber, are connected to the scoring device which sets off a buzzer and a light when a hit is scored.

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Fencers also wear or hold electric scoring equipment:
Electric Weapon – Body Cord (to connect to the scoring device) 
Electric Jacket & Mask (foil & saber only)

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Fencing Movies

Sunshine
Based on the life and death of Olympic Gold Medalist Attila Petschauer.  Great fencing scenes, presenting realistic period sport fencing.

The Fencer​
​Based on the work of Endel Nelis, the father of one of Coach Paul’s best friends. 
Features numerous international fencers as extras and doubles.

The Parent Trap
Fencing brings separated twins together!

The Princess Bride
Fencing fun for fantasists and the frolicsome

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20 - Bram.jpg
21 - M & P.jpg
22 - Hannah.jpg
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