Electronic equipment and hi-tech protective clothing are now vital parts of the competitive sport, which requires lightning reflexes and a great deal of tactical nous.
There are three types of fencing weapons: Epee, foil and sabre.
The Epee
The direct descendant of swords used for duelling, when the object was to draw blood and not deliver the killer blow, and this is reflected in the modern event.
Only a hit with the tip of the sword scores a point. A hit on the toe counts the same as one on the body.
The Foil
This is the lightest of the three swords, which makes it difficult to handle.
It originated as a training weapon for combat so the scoring area is the torso - the most potentially fatal on the body.
The tip of the foil must hit the opponent. Only the attacking fencer can score a point.
The defender can only score if the attack misses or is parried, and a counter-attack succeeds.
The Sabre
This weapon is derived from the cavalry sword, designed for slashing and thrusting.
The target is the entire area from the waist up, including the arms and mask - but not the hand holding the weapon - allowing fencers to use broadside cuts to register points.
Where the other weapons require quick, small movements, the sabre involves a more obvious aggression and flamboyant swordplay.
Competitions
Fencing bouts, consisting of three segments of three minutes, would usually take place on a piste measuring 14 metres by 1.5m, and fencers are connected to an electronic scoring system.
A hit is worth one point, and a light shines on the board indicating who has struck. If the score is tied at the end of the bout, one minute of sudden-death overtime is played.
Beginner's Courses
The Bexley Fencing Club runs three courses for beginners each year. If you would like to know more then please contact our Club Secretary or use our Contacts page.
