Unveiling Fencing – An Introduction

A Short History About Fencing

1200 Evidence of Egyptian fencing bouts in a temple near

Luxor, Egypt.
B.C.

476 The fall of Rome, bringing heavier and cruder weapons

than the short swords and light spears formerly used.
A.D.

1450 European fencing guilds, such as the Marxbruder in

Germany, begin appearing.
A.D.

1471 The first known fencing manual is published by the

Spaniard Sierge de Valera. The first real fencing
A.D. techniques are developed in Spain around this time.

1500 The Italians begin extensive use of the Rapier, developing

fencing technique and popularizing the weapon for
A.D. dueling.

1553 The fencing master Agrippa defines the four fencing

positions - prime, seconde, tierce, and quatre.
A.D.

1567 The French Fencing Academy is officially recognized by

King Charles IX.
A.D.
The French fencing master Henry de St. Didier publishes
1573 the first French fencing treatise, advocating the use of an
Epeé without a dagger and beginning classification of
A.D. many attacks and parries.

1575 The Italian masters Vigiani and Grassi describe the lunge.

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Unveiling Fencing – An Introduction

A.D.
Rapiers decline in use and the “fleuret”, called a “foil” in
1650 English, becomes the training weapon of choice. The
right-of-way conventions are invented, making fencing
A.D. much safer.

1700's The Epeé becomes the dueling weapon of choice across

Europe, and the Sabre becomes the national weapon of
A.D. Hungary.

1780 The French fencing master La Boessiere invents the

fencing mask.
A.D.
Italian fencing masters refine Sabre fencing into a
1850's non-fatal sport. The Hungarians later develop a superior
new school of sabre fencing and dominate the sport until
A.D. the mid 20th century.

1874 The first American fencing school is founded by

immigrant French and Italian fencing masters.
A.D.

1896 Men’s Foil and Sabre are present in the first modern
Olympic Games. Men’s Epeé is introduced in 1900.
A.D.

1913
FIE (The International Fencing Federation) is founded.
A.D.

1918 With the end of World War I, Dueling declines in

popularity. The sport of Fencing, however, continues to
A.D. grow.

1924 Women’s Foil becomes an Olympic sport.

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Unveiling Fencing – An Introduction

A.D.

1936 Electric Epeé is introduced. Electric Foil and Sabre follow

in later years.
A.D.
Eastern European countries, such as the Soviet Union,
1950's Romania, and Poland, become rising fencing powers,
breaking the French and Italian dominance of the sport.
A.D. The Eastern European style relies more on speed and
mobility.

1996
Women’s Epeé becomes an Olympic sport.
A.D.

1998
Advance Lunge comes on-line.
A.D.

The history of this sport is very eloquent, it often relates that of humankind through that of the sword and, if we analyse
the feature of the art of weapons, we immediately notice that it corresponds to the customs of the era in which it appears.
Many of us know that fencing was included in the programme of the first games of the new era, in 1896, but many
ignore that it was certainly included in the first Olympic Games in 776 BC. Sensitive to the equal education of the body
and the soul of their youth, the Greeks honoured all the games preparing to the profession of arms.

If fencing became a sport, it is partially thanks to epee. This weapon being by definition the weapon of duel, it had to be
taught in schools and, with it, the realism begins to prevail over the romanticism.

It is around 1890 that we begin to speak about fencing as a sport. Revolutionaries suggest to « judge» the bouts and
count the hits of button. What a revolution! Was loyalty not the first rule of the bout ? We do not use yet the word «
match » but « blank duel », with a judge and four witnesses, but the score was less important than the manner and
relative speed of the strikes.

Italian and French fencing are still and always quarrelling for the glory of weapons at epee and foil, sometimes
unbuttoned, while saber takes already the direction of East.

The world governing body of fencing is the Federation Internaltionale d’Escrime (FIE) and all the national governing
bodies who take part in World Championships are subscribing members. The leading fencing nations in the world, but
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Unveiling Fencing – An Introduction
not in any particular order, are Russia, Germany, Italy, France, USA and China. These are the countries who have won
most of the team and individual medals for all weapons in recent World Championships and Olympic Games.

Equipments and Protection Clothing

There are 3 weapons in modern competition fencing named “Foil”, “Epee”, and “Sabre”.

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Unveiling Fencing – An Introduction

Foil

Foil blades are made of tempered and annealed, low-carbon steel and are designed to bend upon striking an opponent in
order to both prevent injuries and breakage of the blade. For international competition maraging steel is required, which
is designed to break so that the incidence of potentially dangerous spikes and burrs is reduced. The foil blade is no more
than 90 cm in length with a blunted (or foiled) tip. The overall weight of the full assembled weapon is at most 500 g,
and the maximum length of the assembled weapon is 110 cm.

The blade itself is subdivided into 3 regions: the foible, or weak, at the last third of the blade near the tip, the medium,
and the forte, or strong, is the third of the blade near the guard. Inside of the grip is the tang which is threaded at the end
to allow the pommel to fasten the foil assembly together.

Foil Target Area

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Unveiling Fencing – An Introduction

Epee
The modern epee typically has a blade which measures 90 centimeters, and weighs up to 770 grams, although it
sometimes weighs as little as 150 grams due to various metals and construction techniques. Only hits, or "touches",
made with the push-button tip of the weapon are registered. The epee has a three sided blade, in contrast to the foil and
saber, which have four and two sides respectively. In competitions a valid epee touch is scored if a fencer depresses
their tip with 750g of pressure. Since the hand is a valid target, the bell guard is much larger than that of the foil and is
most often made of aluminum or stainless steel. The tip is wired to a connector in the bell guard, then to an electronic
scoring device or "box". The bell guard, blade, and handle of the epee are all grounded to the scoring box to prevent hits
to the weapon from registering as touches.

Epee Target Area

Saber
The cross-section of the saber blade is Y- or V-shaped, unlike the quadrangular shape of the foil, but not as stiff as the
epee. Adult (Size 5) blades are 88 cm (35 inches) in length. At the end of the blade, the point is folded over itself to
form a "button", although no actual button exists. The bell guard of the sword is curved around the handle, giving the
fencer hand protection. On electrical sabers, a socket for the body wire is found underneath the bell guard. A fastener
known as a pommel is attached to the end of the sword to keep the bell guard and handle on. The handle of a saber is
standard a French grip, as most other grips are incompatible with the bell guard. The entire weapon is generally 105 cm
(41 inches) long, and 500 grams (1.1 lb) in weight. It is shorter than the foil or epee, and lighter than the epee, making it

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Unveiling Fencing – An Introduction
easier to move swiftly and incisively.

Sabre Target Area

Clothing

Protective clothing is essential for fencing and if used correctly will make the sport totally safe. All gear
must meet certain standards, especially a penetration rating that says how much pressure the material
will resist from the sword.

Head
A well fitting fencing mask which can resist at 350N for local competition and 1600N for
international competition must be wear for protection of your head.

Body
Fencing suit includes
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Unveiling Fencing – An Introduction
1. Chest Protector / Beast Protector

2. Under Plastron (350N or 800N)

3. Fencing Jacket (350N or 800N)

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Leg
1. Fencing Pants (350N or 800N)

2. Fencing Socks must be knee height

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Unveiling Fencing – An Introduction
3. Special Fencing Shoes (optional, for better mobility and traction)

Arms
Protective glove for weapon hand

Electric Conductive Clothing- Lame Jacket

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Unveiling Fencing – An Introduction
Grip, Stance and On Guard

Grip
The thumb and index finger clasp the grip and control the movements of the blade. The other fingers aid
both in controlling the point and strengthening the actions on the blade by increase or decrease in
pressure without leaving the grip

Mistakes to avoid
Holding the grip too far from the guard.
Extending the index finger along the grip.
Not placing the little finger on the grip.

Method of holding the weapon( FIE rules about holding weapon)

t.16. 1. With all three weapons, defence must be effected exclusively with the guard and the blade
used either separately or together.
2. If the handle has no special device or attachment or special shape (e.g. orthopaedic), a fencer
may hold it in any way he wishes and he may also alter the position of his hand on the handle
during a bout. However, the weapon must not be — either permanently or temporarily, in an
open or disguised manner — transformed into a throwing weapon; it must be used without the
hand leaving the handle and without the hand slipping along the handle from front to back
during an offensive action.
3. When the handle has a special device or attachment or has a special shape (e.g. orthopaedic)
it must be held in such a way that the upper surface of the thumb is in the same plane as the
groove in the blade (at foil or at epée) and perpendicular to the plane of flexibility of the blade
at sabre.
4. The weapon must be used with one hand only; a fencer may not change hands until the end
of the bout, unless the Referee gives special permission in the case of injury to the hand or arm.

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The Guard

The Guard is a fundamental fencing position. It is a condition of neutral equilibrium. This cannot be over
emphasized. The prerequisites for a proper guard are stability and mobility. The feet are at a 90 degree
angle, the heels approximately in line, the front foot pointing at the opponent, the rear foot at a variable
distance, depending upon the height of the fencer and the length of the fencer’s legs.

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Coming on guard (FIE rules about on guard)

t.17. 1. The fencer whose number is called first should place himself on the right of the Referee,
except in the case of a bout between a right-hand a left-hander, if the left-hander is called first.
2. The Referee places each of the two competitors in such a way that the front foot of each is 2
metres from the centre line of the piste (that is, behind the ‘on-guard’ lines).

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3. Competitors are always put on guard, whether at the beginning of the bout or subsequently,
in the centre of the width of the piste.
4. When placed on guard during the bout, the distance between the two competitors must be
such that, in the position ‘point in line’, the points of the two blades cannot make contact.
5. After the scoring of a valid hit the competitors are put on guard in the middle of the piste.
6. If no hit is awarded they are replaced in the position which they occupied when the bout was
interrupted.
7. At the beginning of each period (in a direct elimination bout) and of any additional minute of
fencing time, the fencers are placed on guard in the middle of the piste.
8. The competitors may not be replaced on guard, at their correct distance, in such a way as to
place behind the rear line of the piste a fencer who was in front of that line when the bout was
halted. If he already had one foot behind the rear line, he remains in that position.
9. If a fencer has crossed the lateral boundaries of the piste, he may be put back on guard at the
correct distance even if this places him behind the rear line and thereby causes a hit to be
awarded against him.
10. Competitors come on guard when the Referee gives the order ‘On guard!’, after which the
Referee asks, ‘Are you ready?’. On receiving an affirmative reply, or in the absence of a negative
reply, he gives the command for fencing to commence with the word ‘Play!’.
11. The fencers must come on guard correctly and remain completely still until the command
‘Play!’ is given by the Referee.
12. At foil and sabre fencers may not come on guard in the ‘in line’ position.

THE FIELD OF PLAY (FIE rules t11 – t14)

t.11. The field of play should have an even surface. It should give neither advantage nor
disadvantage to either of the two fencers concerned, especially as regards light.
t.12. 1. That portion of the field of play which is used for fencing is called the piste.
2. Competitions at the three weapons are fenced on the same pistes.
t.13. 1. The piste is from 1.50 metres to 2 metres wide.
2. The piste is 14 metres long, so that each competitor being placed at 2 metres from the centre
line has at his disposal for retreating a total distance of 5 metres without it being necessary for
him to cross the rear limit of the piste with both feet.
t.14. Five lines should be drawn very clearly on the piste at right angles to its length, as follows:
a) one centre line which must be drawn as a broken line across the whole width of the piste;
b) two on-guard lines at 2 metres on each side of the centre line. These must be drawn across
the whole width of the piste;
c) two lines at the rear limits of the piste, which must be drawn across the whole width of the
piste, at a distance of 7 metres from the centre line.
d) In addition, the last 2 metres of the piste before these rear limit lines must be clearly
distinguished — if possible by a different colour of piste — to make it easy for the fencers to be
aware of their position on the piste (see Figures 1 and 2, pp. 9 and 10).

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An illustration of a piste forr competition

A standard piste

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Footwork Movement

Step forward (Advance)

 The body, from the waist up, remains in the on guard position.
 Head – Straight and facing forward
 Body – Shoulders – remain in a relaxed position. Chest – facing aside and obliquely toward the front.
Trunk should be on a plumb line from the head to the floor.
 Front Arm – The weapon arm remains in the Sixte position.
 Rear Arm – remains in a semi-circular shape
 Front Leg – The sole of the front foot lifts and moves the desired distance forward. The hell stays
within 5cm of the floor.
 Rear Leg – The rear leg remains in a flexed position and comes forward, taking the new on guard
position, with the body erect and the knees flexed.

Mistake to Avoid
 Moving with stiff legs.
 Footwork must be relaxed and supple, without jerky movements.
 Keeping the legs insufficiently flexed (bent).
 Raising and lowering the center of gravity while doing footwork wastes enery, upsets balance, and
prevents smooth actions.
 Accompanying the footwork with leaning of the torso affects balance adversely.
 Moving obliquely, initiated by poor foot positions and insufficient abduction of the thighs.
 Dragging the feet, or raising them excessively.

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Stepping Backward (retreat)

 The body, from the waist up, remains in the on guard position.
 Head – Straight and facing forward
 Body – Shoulders – remain in a relaxed position. Chest – facing aside and obliquely toward the front.
Trunk should be on a plumb line from the head to the floor.
 Front Arm – The weapon arm remains in the Sixte position.
 Rear Arm – remains in a semi-circular shape
 Rear Leg – The sole of the rear foot lifts and moves the required distance backward.
 Front Leg – The front foot moves backward and takes the new on guard position.

Mistake to Avoid
 Moving with stiff legs.
 Footwork must be relaxed and supple, without jerky movements.
 Keeping the legs insufficiently flexed (bent).
 Raising and lowering the center of gravity while doing footwork wastes enery, upsets balance, and
prevents smooth actions.
 Accompanying the footwork with leaning of the torso affects balance adversely.
 Moving obliquely, initiated by poor foot positions and insufficient abduction of the thighs.
 Dragging the feet, or raising them excessively.

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The Lunge

Lunge is starting from the on guard position.

Head – Straight and facing forward.
Front Arm – Extends smartly and fully, without tenseness in the shoulders and forearm. The hand are
in a slight supination position and the weapon point is at shoulder level.
Rear Arm – The rear arm is thrown down in line with the front arm. The hand of the rear arm is open
with the fingers together and the thumb facing up.
Body – The body does not lean forward, but remains in an erect position.
Front Leg – The front leg is thrown forward with the toe pointing smartly upward so that the heel is
about 5 cm off the floor. The action of the front leg ends with the thigh and lower leg at
right angles to one another, and the knee and heel in line.
Rear Leg – The rear leg straightens and simultaneously springs, pushing the body forward. The sole
of the foot stays firmly on the floor during this action.

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Fencing Position

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