Fencing evolved in Europe as a means of practicing swordmanship and self-defense. Today, it is an Olympic sport and is practiced on the collegiate and competitive level by thousands of Americans, as well as countless others around the world. It is very safe and protective gear is an integral part of the sport. The sport's tremendous health benefits and unique nature attract many people who may or may not fence competitively.

The Bout

Fencing competition between two individuals is called a BOUT. Bouts are fought for five touches - the first fencer to touch his opponent five times wins. Bouts take place on a long STRIP. Fencers may not go off the strip in any direction without being penalized. Bouts are limited to six minutes with a "sudden death" in the case of a tie at the end of regulation time. The DIRECTOR runs the bout. They start and stop the action, interpret the rules, award touches, and explain the sequence of play. Theirs is the final word.

The Weapons

The FOIL is a light weapon with a flexible, tapered four-sided blade, theoretically capable of inflicting a puncture wound only. Touches are therefore scored only with the point of the weapon and must land on a limited target. With the idea of inflicting a mortal wound, valid target includes the torso from the collar to the groin in the front, and, on the back, the collar to the hip-bone. A touch which lands on any other portion of the body is called "off target"; it carries no penalty other than halting the bout and nullifies any subsequent action by either fencer until fencing is ordered resumed by the director.

The EPEE (pronounced EH-PAY) is a heavy weapon with a large bell guard and a rigid, heavy triangular blade. It is the modern equivalent of the dueling rapier. Touches are scored with the point only, but the valid target includes every portion of the body. There are no "off target" touches. Furthermore, touches are scored purely on a time basis, i.e. - hit them before they hit you.

The SABRE has a large guard that curves around the hand to protect the knuckles. Its blade is triangular and flexible. In addition to its point, it has theoretical cutting edges along the entire front and back one-third of the blade. Sabre differs from foil and epee in that cuts with theoretical cutting edges as well as point attacks may be scored. The sabre target includes all portions of the body above a horizontal line drawn across the hips. To be valid, a cut must land cleanly on the target and must not whip over a parry adequate to break its force.

Portions of this document were paraphrased from the program from the 1989 Midwest Invitational Fencing Championships, Ohio State University.