What is fencingThe following information is currently stolen from the cutting edge fencing clubs website... We'll write our own eventually FoilThe foil is the lightest of the three weapons. In the history of fencing it was used as a training weapon to practice sword-fighting techniques before trying a real duel. In modern foil fencing, hits are scored with the tip or end of the blade only. Practice foils have rubber tips, while those used in competition are wired for electronic scoring & have blunted sprung metal tips.
 Valid Foil Target Area
Scoring in foil is governed by the rule of 'priority'. The fencer who first initiates an attack by extending the weapon arm forward towards the opponent is the one with priority. If a fencer whose opponent has priority, wants to score a hit, he/she must defend against the original attack prior to initiating his/her own attack. A referee is used to control the bout and determine which fencer has priority. Once priority has been determined, the referee refers to the scoring apparatus to determine whether the hit scored by the fencer with priority was on or off-target.
EpeeThe epee is the longest and heaviest of the three weapons. This sword is the closest of the modern fencing weapons to the rapier, which was the most commonly used sword for dueling. In modern epee fencing, hits are scored with the tip or end of the blade only. All epees used in competition are wired for electronic scoring & have blunted sprung metal tips.
 Valid Epee Target Area
In epee, the fencer that hits first scores the point. Should both fencers hit each other within 1/25 of a second of one another, then they are both awarded one point. Epee is the only event in fencing to allow hits to be scored to the legs and feet. The majority of hits however, are scored to the weapon arm & wrist, due to the close distance of these targets.
Sabre In the history of fencing, the sabre was traditionally used as a cavalry weapon, wielded while on horseback. In modern sabre fencing, hits are scored primarily with the side or 'cutting' edge of the blade, but can also be made with the tip. The edges of the sabre blade are dull & the tip is rolled over so that there are no sharp surfaces that can cut the fencers.
 Valid Sabre Target Area
Scoring in sabre is also governed by the rule of 'priority'. The fencer who first initiates an attack by extending the weapon arm forward towards the opponent is the one with priority. If a fencer whose opponent has priority, wants to score a hit, he/she must defend against the original attack prior to initiating his/her own attack. A referee is used to control the bout and determine which fencer has priority. Once priority has been determined, he/she then refers to the scoring apparatus to determine whether the hit scored by the fencer with priority was a valid on-target hit.
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