Fencing 101
We teach modern competition fencing. This is the kind of fencing you see at the Olympics. Modern competition fencing has 3 swords; Foil, Epee and Saber. Each sword has their own rules for competing and scoring. In addition, fencers are electronically wired to scoreboards to help determine who makes a touch.
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A "bout" is a single match between two fencers. Competitions are structured as tournaments with a seeding round called a pool, where each fencer must fence everyone in their pool. This is followed by a direct elimination (DE) bracket or "Tableau".
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Foil
The most popular weapon in fencing, foil is also the lightest of the three swords. Points are scored using the tip of the blade and making contact with the body. Foil uses the concept of "right of way" to determine who scores.
Epee
The heaviest of the three swords, Epee has "no right of way" and every part of the body from head to toe is a target. It is also the only sword that allows for a "double touch" where both fencers can score a point at the same time. Like Foil, it is a thrusting weapon.
Saber
Saber is the fastest of the three weapons. Like Foil, it is a "right of way" weapon. Unlike Foil and Epee, it is a slashing weapon. Body, arms and head are all targets.