A Comprehensive Introduction to the Art of Fencing
Angel Zhang is a staff writer and rising freshman from Lisbon, Portugal.
The clashing of swords, the elegance of footwork, and the intense concentration on display — fencing is a captivating blend of artistry, athleticism, and strategy, often described as “chess with muscles.” With ancient roots, fencing developed over the course of time, evolving into a sophisticated sport as well as an Olympic event. With three branches, sabre, epée, and foil, fencing has captivated enthusiasts around the world. While it may not be as widely recognized as some other sports yet, there is a rising trend in its popularity. Like archery and javelin, fencing owes its roots to ancient combat.
History
In ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Greece, and Rome, warriors honed their swordsmanship to defend themselves in battle. The art of fencing evolved further during the medieval and Renaissance eras, as chivalrous knights and noble duelists refined their techniques and adorned themselves with fencing gear. A lot of countries developed their own fencing style. As it grew more and more popular, fencing clubs started to form in the late 19th century. In 1896, fencing was included as an Olympic sport for the first time.
Overview
Modern fencing involves using extensive protection gear, blunted swords, and electric scoring systems. Fencing matches are played on a metallic fencing piste (strip/court), which is 14 meters long and 1.5 to 2 meters wide. There is a center line across the middle, two en garde (starting) lines, two warning lines, and two limit lines at the end. The matches, called bouts, are played until one player reaches five points (in preliminary pool play), or fifteen points (in direct elimination play). A fencer is awarded a point every time he or she scores a touch
Fencing Actions
Preparation is any action that precedes an attack by a fencer.
An attack in preparation is when a fencer attacks during the preparation of their opponent.
A parry is when a defender blocks an attack.
A riposte is when a defender counterattacks after parrying the opponent’s attack.
A lunge is the most common way to attack. The front foot kicks forward and the back foot pushes forward; the fencer falls into a lunge position, with the front leg bent at a 90 degree angle and the back leg straight.
If a fencer has the right of way in foil or sabre fencing, he or she is determined by the referee to be on the offensive at the time of the attack.
En garde, prete, allez are the French commands that the referee says to start the bout.
Fencing developed a set of rules and regulations to maintain safety and fairness, including standardized stances and footwork. In ancient sword fighting, stances and footwork were designed to provide stability, balance, and mobility during combat, benefiting the swordsmen to maintain a solid base while delivering powerful attacks, defending themselves, and maneuvering on the battlefield. The stances in modern fencing, such as the en garde (starting/on guard) position, allow for a balanced distribution of weight between the front and back legs. Footwork techniques, such as advances, retreats, lunges, and flèches (flying lunges), enable fencers to control the distance between themselves and their opponents. These movements allow fencers to attack, defend, and counterattack effectively while maintaining proper balance and coordination. The stances and footwork are modified slightly to suit the style of each discipline (epée, sabre, or foil).
The Three Types
As mentioned before, there are 3 types of fencing, each with its own unique characteristics, rules, and techniques.
Epée
Epée is the heaviest of the 3 swords, with a length of 110 cm, a rectangular blade, and a large guard to protect the hand. It is a thrusting weapon, meaning that touches are scored with the point of the blade. The entire body is the target area. Whoever hits their opponent first, and the hit registers on the scoring machine as a red or green light, the fencer gets a point. If fencers both hit each other within 40 milliseconds of each other and both lights light up, they both get a point. Epée is most often the slowest of the three types; therefore, to make sure that matches don’t go on for hours, each direct elimination bout can only be nine minutes. This is split into three-minute intervals, and fencers can rest for one minute in between sets. If neither opponent scored 15 hits, the fencer with the greatest number of hits will win the match.
Foil
Foil is similar to epée but is lighter and more flexible. Like epée, it is a thrusting weapon, but the valid target area is limited to the torso covered by a metallic jacket (called a lamé). Any valid touch will show up on the scoring machine as a red or green light and will lead to an added point for the fencer. If the touch is outside the valid target area, a white light will show up, the bout is stopped and then restarted, but no points will be added. If both fencers hit simultaneously and both lights light up, the fencer that is the attacker, or the one that has the right of way, gets the point. The referee decides who has the right of way at the time of the attack (basically, whoever is on the offensive).
Sabre
Sabre is the fastest type of fencing, with a length of 105 cm. It is a cutting weapon as well as a thrusting one, meaning fencers can score with any part of the blade. Anywhere above the waist is a valid target area, covered by a metallic jacket and mask. Like foil, sabre fencers can get a point if they hit their opponent, and their light shows up. If both fencers hit simultaneously, the fencer with the right of way gets the point.
Equipment
All 3 types use the same fencing uniform – a plastic chest protector, a white jacket, knee-high socks, fencing knickers (pants), and an underarm protector. Fencers also need a sword, body and mask cords, and a lamé (not for epée).
Benefits of Fencing (just to name a few)
Fencing is a thrilling and rewarding sport that is definitely worth getting into. As a sabre fencer myself, I encourage you to give it a try and experience the thrill of competition while gaining numerous benefits. Embrace the physical and intellectual challenges that fencing offers, as they will propel you to grow as both an athlete and an individual. To get started, find a local fencing club or class to find people to fence with and practice the proper techniques. Don't be discouraged if you face initial challenges; perseverance is crucial in any sport, and fencing is no exception. With dedication and patience, you will discover the joy and fulfillment that come with the art of fencing.
