About Fencing

The modern Olympic sport has three weapons, each with their own distinctive character and style.

FOIL                                             
The foil is a light, flexible weapon, with a small circular guard and a rectangular blade.  Valid hits are made with the point of the weapon only on a target which is restricted to the truck of the body. Hits to the head, arms and legs are not valid and are called "off-target". 

EPEE                                          
The Epée is the modern equivalent to the RAPIER, the duelling weapon.  The Epee has a much stiffer blade which is triangular in section. The guard is larger which gives greater protection to the hand and wrist.  Hits are made with the point only anywhere on the opponents body.

SABRE                                         
The Sabre is derived from the cavalry sword.  The blade is light and rectangular in section, but is stiffer than the foil blade.  The guard is of sufficient size to protect the hand and wrist and extends to the bottom of the grip.  Hits are made to the upper body only.  Hits can be made with a cutting action as well as with the point

SCORING                
Foil and Sabre use a system of priority or "Right of Way".  To score a valid hit at foil and sabre, the right of way is given to the fencer who starts the attack by extending their sword arm first, threatening the valid target.  Their opponent must then defend against the attack before making any attempt to hit.  In the event that both fencers attack at the same time, neither would be awarded the right of way and no hits would be awarded.  Epee has a simpler approach to awarding hits.  As this is the duelling sword, the hit goes to the fencer who lands their hit first.  In the event that the fencers hit together, a hit is awarded to both fencers.  Almost every competition is run using electric scoring apparatus.  A scoring box has four lights, two white for registering off target hits at foil and two coloured lights, red and green to indicate valid hits.  When a fencer registers a hit, a buzzer will sound to indicate to the referee that a fencer has landed a hit.  The referee will then decide, with the aid of the lights if a hit is to be awarded.