About Fencing
"If you want to find out about fencers, go up behind one as he faces a practice target. Burst a balloon behind his back. The foilist will immediately lunge at the pad. The épéeist will stand his ground, immobile but alert. The sabreur will swing round and assault you." -Hungarian Axiom
In modern fencing, there are three distinct weapons, each with its own unique style and rules. While nearly all experienced fencers at least try all three weapons and perhaps fence them casually, most find one favorite which they focus on in competition. Below is a brief explanation of each
Foil
Foil is the most popular weapon in competitive fencing, the weapon most familiar to non-fencers, and the first weapon taught to all new fencers. The foil has a light, very flexible blade, square in shape. It is a piercing weapon, meaning that touches are scored using only the point of the weapon and not the edges. Target area in foil is the torso. This dates back to old dueling practices, in which taught that the most reliable way to win was to hit a vital organ, ending the bout in a single touch. Foil is governed by a system of rules known as "right-of-way" conventions. These seemingly complex scoring rules revolve around the principle that a sane duelist must, when attacked, first defend his own life before attempting to take his opponent’s. Foil can be an extremely difficult weapon to master. It is taught to new fencers because it teaches discipline, requiring tight control over one’s blade and foot movements as well as tactical thinking. Those who learn foil well before learning other weapons tend to emerge as stronger fencers in whatever their chosen weapon may be.
Épée
Épée is a favorite among many NCSU fencers. Students wishing to learn épée must first become competent in foil. The weapon itself is somewhat heavier and less flexible than a foil. It uses a large guard (to protect the hand and forearm) and a blade with a triangular cross-section. Like the foil, épée is a piercing weapon (touches scored using the tip only). However, it differs from foil in at least two key respects. First, target area is the entire body, head to toe. Valid touches can be scored on the opponent’s foot, head, chest, arm, or anywhere else on the body. Historically, épée came later than foil and saw most of it’s use after duels to the death had fallen out of use. Thus, the rules of épée are based on the practice of dueling to first blood, where any touch counts equally regardless of lethality. The second difference is in the rules. Épée is the only fencing weapon not governed by right of way. So, if two fencers hit one another simultaneously (within 1/25 of a second of one another), both are awarded a point. These two factors combine to create an experience that many épée fans claim is the closest to “the real thing” of any of the three weapons. While the weapons may be similar, épée has a very different feel from foil. Épée is fought in the moment. It requires quick reactions, a steady hand, a keen awareness of one’s entire body and the opponent’s, and a greater capacity for improvisation than any of the other weapons.
Sabre
Sabre is the third weapon of fencing. While not particularly popular at NCSU, it has traditionally been the greatest strength of US fencing teams, as evidenced by the recent gold and bronze medals in the 2004 Olympics by Mariel Zagunis and Sada Jacobson, respectively. Sabre is unique in that, unlike foil and épée, it is both a piercing weapon and a slashing weapon. This means that touches can be scored with the point or the edge of the weapon. The result is a fast and aggressive sport characterized by short, highly athletic engagements. Historically, sabres were used primarily as a military cavalry weapon. While we have done away with the horses, the target area in sabre remains anywhere above the waist, the practical targets when fighting opponents on horseback. Like foil, sabre is governed by right of way rules. Fencing is among the fastest paced sports in the world, and sabre is considered fast even by fencing standards. Incredibly quick reflexes and impeccable footwork are a must if one wishes to succeed in sabre.
Glossary of Fencing Terms
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