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Modern
Fencing; a sport
of swordfighting
which is directly
descended from
the duel. It is
an ancient sport
which has been
in the Olympics
since 1896. Fencing
has often been
described as super
fast speed chess.
Two competitors
face off in a
bout, and compete
to score points
on each other
with their weapons
(Foil, Epee &
Sabre). Both fencers
will outwit, outplay
and outlast each
other through
bladework, footwork,
tactics and strategies.
Fencing bouts
are characterised
by flurries of
speed, highly
aerobic movement,
and lightning-fast
blade movements.
A bout (or a match)
in any discipline,
is fenced on a
field of play
called a piste,
measuring 1.5m
x 14m, which is
constructed of
conducting material
and electrically
linked to the
registering apparatus.
The bout is controlled
and judged by
a referee. Hits
made in various
forms, are indicated
via coloured lights
(red or green)
on the electric
scoring apparatus.
Hits are registered
via electric circuitry
in the fencer’s
weapon and clothing,
connected to the
apparatus via
cabling on spring-loaded
reels. The referee
awards hits, based
on the indications
of the registering
apparatus, and
on his or her
analysis of the
phrasing of the
fencing actions
of the combatants.
Each discipline
(weapon) has its
own particular
rules regarding
valid or invalid
hits and right-of-ways.
THE
WEAPONS
Foil
and épée
are point-thrusting
weapons. Sabre
is a point-thrusting
as well as a cutting
weapon. The target
areas differ for
the three weapons,
though all three
are scored electrically. |
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Foil |
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Foilists
tend to be versatile,
thoughtful and
athletic. There
are a lot of
back-and-forth
footwork movement
and blade work.
The valid target
area in foil
is the torso,
from the shoulders
to the groin,
front and back.
It does not
include the
head, neck,
arms and legs.
The foil fencer's
uniform includes
a metallic vest
(called a lamé)
which covers
the valid target
area, so that
a valid touch
will register
on the scoring
machine. There
are two scoring
lights on the
machine. Green
or red lamp
will be lighted
(depending on
which side the
fencer is positioned)
when a fencer
is hit. A touch
landing outside
the valid target
area (that which
is not covered
by the lamé)
is indicated
by a white light.
These "off
target"
hits do not
count in the
scoring.
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Épée |
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Épée
(pronounced
"EPP-pay")
is a direct
descendant of
the duel fought
to first blood.
Touches are
scored with
the tip, and
the target is
the entire body.
Whoever hits
first scores
the touch, regardless
of who initiates
the attack.
Because of this,
epee fencers
usually try
to hit the closest
target to them
(which is very
often the hand).
Height is definitely
an advantage
for those who
wish to take
up epee. To
be a good epee
fencer one has
to have good
distance control,
timing, speed
and patience.
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Sabre |
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Sabre
is the fastest
and flashiest
of the three
weapons. The
style is derived
from the fighting
tactics of the
old cavalry.
For this reason,
the target for
sabre is everything
from the waist
up, including
the head and
hand. The sabre
fencer's uniform
includes a metallic
jacket (lamé),
which covers
the target area
to register
a valid touch
on the scoring
machine. The
mask is different
from foil and
épée,
with a metallic
covering since
the head is
valid target
area. This is
also the only
weapon in which
you can score
with both thrusting
and cutting
or slashing
your opponent.
They cannot,
however, simply
bulldoze their
opponents because
they must pay
attention to
right-of-way.
Off-target hits
do not register
on the machine.
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Right-of-way?
Huh?
In
foil and in
sabre, fencers
need to pay
close attention
to what is called
“the right
of way”
in fencing.
Right-of-way
can be explained
by comparing
a fencer to
the serving
team
in a volleyball
match –
only the serving
team can score
points in volleyball,
and only the
fencer with
the right-of-way
can score a
touch. You can
earn right of
way by starting
an attack before
your opponent
does, or by
parrying (blocking)
your opponent’s
attack. Right-of-way
can be complicated,
but it gets
easy with time.
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To
start Fencing, call 016-682 0870/016-288 2124 or email to
Swashbucklers
Fencing
© Swashbucklers Fencing. All rights
reserved 2010. |
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