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South Mountain Martial Arts
91 Main Street, Madison New Jersey 07940-1849
(973) 822-1977
Fencing
What is Fencing?
Fencing is a sport which constitutes the modern form of swordplay. Two opponents, wearing protective gear, try to score 5 points (or 15, in higher level bouts), called "touches", on each other's bodies. The first to the score the requisite number, or to have the higher score in the time alloted (4 minutes, in a basic bout) wins. Blunt, light weight versions of classical swords are used.
There are 3 weapons (forms of competition); the foil, which is derived from the European smallsword, the Epee, derived from the rapier, and the saber (or sabre), which is derived from the saber. Matches - called "bouts" are scores by either the fencer acknowledging the touch (in practice bouts), a referee's decision, or, in competition, by referees assisted by electronic scoring machines. Scoring machines indicate touches with a light and a buzzer, when a contestant is contacted by the opponent's weapon. The goals of competition in each weapon may be simple, but the techniques, tactics and strategies for their successful use is complex, enough to be fascinating and exciting.
The Foil is generally the beginner's introduction to fencing. because the principles of it's use are in common with the other weapons and because education in it's technique leads to refined fencing skills, it is both the favored introduction to fencing, and a challenge for advanced fencers. The Foil is about 3 feet long, having a small circular guard. The point is used to score touches by contacting the opponent's torso, minus the arms, legs, and head. Hits on these other areas are called " off target " and do not score. Simultaneous touches by both opponents do not score.
The Epee has both a heavier blade and a much larger guard than the Foil (the hand is one of the primary targets!). The point is used to score touches on literally any part of the opponent's body. Toe touches are common. Simultaneous touches by both opponents do score for each. Though this may sound wild, if you can touch any part of the opponent's body, so can the opponent on you. This produces a very exacting, cautious but sudden motion fencing style.
While Foil and Epee fall in to the class of what are called " point weapons ", the primary use of the Saber, (a " cutting weapon ") is to score points by hitting the opponent's body with the blade, anywhere above the hips. The point is also used to score. This being the case, actions using the Saber are extremely quick. Contact with any part of the blade or point, constitutes a touch or " hit ". The Saber differs from the foil and the Epee, in that it's guard is both large and has a knuckle guard, which extends all the way from the base of the blade, to the end of the hilt,or handle.
