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NOVEMBER 2013 -
SEXY GLAM
MAGAZIN
E -
77
determine who was first, neither fencer
scores a point.
Épée: a thrusting weapon like the foil,
but much heavier. In épée, the entire
body is valid target. The hand guard
on the épée is a large circle that extends
towards the pommel, effectively cover-
ing 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. Hits
with the side of the blade do not halt the
action. As the entire body is legal target,
there is not the concept of an off-target
touch, except if the fencer acciden-
tally strikes the floor, setting off
the electric tone.
Unlike foil and
sabre, épée does
not use
“right
of
way”,
and
al-
lows
si-
mul-
tane-
ous hits
by both
fencers.
However, if
the score is tied in
a match at the last point and a double
touch is scored, nobody is awarded the
point.
Sabre: a light cutting and thrusting
weapon that targets the entire body
above the waist, excluding the hands.
The hand guard on the saber extends
from pommel to the base of where the
blade connects to the hilt. This guard is
generally turned outwards during sport
to protect the sword arm from touches.
Hits with the edges of the blade or the
point are valid. As in foil, touches that
land outside of 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”.
Foil/épée/sabre techniques
Techniques or movements in fencing
can be divided into two categories: of-
fensive and defensive. Some techniques
can fall into both categories (e.g. the
beat). Certain techniques are used of-
fensively, with the purpose of landing a
hit on your opponent while holding the
right of way (foil and sabre). Others are
used defensively, to protect against a
hit or obtain the right of way.
Offensive
Attack: A basic fencing technique, also
called a thrust, consisting of extending
the sword arm to declare an attack and
attempt to land a touch upon the oppo-
nent’s valid area. In sabre, attacks are
also made with a cutting action.
Feint: An attack with the purpose of
provoking a reaction from the opposing
fencer.
Lunge: A thrust while extending the
front leg by using a slight kicking mo-
tion and propelling the body forward
with the back leg.