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NOVEMBER 2013 -
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as a defensive action, the attacker must
then disturb the extended weapon to
re-take priority; otherwise the defender
has priority and the counter-attack like
action will win the touch if the attacker
does not manage a single light. When
performed as an offensive action, the in-
tent is usually a means for the attacker
to draw a defensive action that can be
deceived and the attack continued. In
épée, there is no priority; the move may
be used as a means by either fencer to
achieve a double-touch and advance the
score by 1 for each fencer.
The attacks and defenses may be per-
formed in countless combinations of feet
and hand actions. For example, fencer
A attacks the arm of fencer B, drawing
a high outside parry; fencer B then fol-
lows the parry with a high line riposte.
Fencer A, expecting that, then makes his
own parry by pivoting his blade under
fencer B’s weapon (from straight out
to more or less straight down), put-
ting fencer B’s tip off target and fencer
A now scoring against the low line by
angulating the hand upwards.
Fencing, a unique combative sport that is part of the Sum-
mer Olympics, pits two sword-wielding competitors against
one another in a contest of skill and athleticism. Each
fencer attempts to touch the other with the tip of his sword
to score touches, or points. All fencing competitions must
follow a few basic rules to ensure not only competitive bal-
ance but also the safety of all participants.
Equipment
Fencing competitors must wear the necessary proper equip-
ment, including a face mask, a fencing jacket, a pair of
fencing pants to protect the legs and a fencing glove that
covers the sleeve on the sword arm. Officials will check
participants before each bout to make certain the equipment
reaches all safety standards. Fencers must also wield ap-
proved weapons, whether a foil, saber or epee.
Scoring
Fencing utilizes a simple scoring system, awarding one
point for each time a fencer touches his opponent with his
weapon. Depending on the manner of competition, bouts
may last five touches with a time limit of three minutes or
15 touches and a time limit of nine minutes, according to
the rules of the U.S. Fencing Association.
Target
A fencer must touch his opponent in an approved target
5 MAIN RULES OF FENCING
zone of the body to register a point, with the target changing
depending on the weapon used. In epee fencing, contacting
anywhere on the opponent’s body registers a touch. Sabre
fencing limits the target zone to the torso, meaning any-
where above the waist. Foil fencing reduces it even further,
restricting the target area to the trunk only and removing
the arms and head from consideration.
Playing Area
Fencers compete on a long, narrow strip of material and
must remain on the fencing strip at all times. The strip,
or piste, must be 46 feet long and measure between 5 and
roughly 7 feet wide. The strip contains a center line, two on-
guard lines roughly 6 feet from the center line and two lines
marking the rear limits of the strip roughly 23 feet from the
center line.
Penalties
If a fencer steps beyond the strip’s legal side boundaries,
the official will award 1 meter, or approximately 3 feet, of
ground to the opponent on the restart. Stepping beyond the
strip’s rear limit results in an awarded touch to the oppo-
nent. Officials may also award touches to the opponent if
a fencer attacks with both hands, if a fencer doesn’t obey
instructions or if a fencer displays poor sportsmanship or
overly violent behavior.