Spring Break
Fencing tools and rules of the trade
Jon Xavier
Issue date: 9/16/08 Section: News
Modern sport fencing traces its history back to the 16th and 17th centuries, as the invention of first the crossbow and later gunpowder began to make heavy armor obsolete. With people wearing less armor, broadswords began to give way to lighter blades that were more convenient to carry, such as the rapier. Eventually, people stopped carrying swords day-to-day all together, saving them for duels, ceremonial functions and, much later, sport.
"Despite the stereotype of fencing as an aristocratic, even elitist, sport, today it is popular across all segments of the population in countries all over the world," said Jeremy Tavan, a SJSU fencing masters program provost candidate.
The Weapons
There are three different weapons in modern sport fencing, each with its own unique rules for scoring.
Foil
The foil, which was invented specifically as a sporting weapon, is the lightest of the three, Tavan said. It has a flexible, rectangular cross-section blade with a blunt tip. The foil is considered a point-only weapon, meaning only thrusting attacks with the tip count in competition. In foil fencing, only the torso is considered a valid target.
Saber
The saber, which is the modern descendant of 19th century dueling sabers, has a curved, flexible blade and an oval-shaped guard that covers the hand, Tavan said. Unlike the other fencing weapons, the saber is considered edged, meaning that points can be scored with both the tip and the edge of the blade. Everything above the belt is considered a valid target in saber fencing.
Epee
The epee is virtually unchanged from the dueling sword of the 19th and 20th century, Tavan said. The epee has a heavy, triangular cross-section blade and a large bell guard intended to protect the entire hand and forearm. Like the foil, the epee is considered point-only. Unlike the foil, the epee can score anywhere on the body, including the head.
The Match
A modern fencing match involves three people: two fencers and a director. The fencer's job is to score points against each other by touching their opponent with the point (or edge, in the case of the saber) while protecting themselves from being touched, Tavan said. The director calls, "Halt!" whenever a touch is made, and rules on infractions and fouls.
Traditionally, there were line judges, in addition to the director, watching for points at different angles, but modern electronic scoring systems that light up as soon as a touch is made have rendered this unnecessary. Matches go until a set number of points are scored, which vary from about five for a short bout to as many as 12 or 13 for high-level, competitive play.
"Despite the stereotype of fencing as an aristocratic, even elitist, sport, today it is popular across all segments of the population in countries all over the world," said Jeremy Tavan, a SJSU fencing masters program provost candidate.
The Weapons
There are three different weapons in modern sport fencing, each with its own unique rules for scoring.
Foil
The foil, which was invented specifically as a sporting weapon, is the lightest of the three, Tavan said. It has a flexible, rectangular cross-section blade with a blunt tip. The foil is considered a point-only weapon, meaning only thrusting attacks with the tip count in competition. In foil fencing, only the torso is considered a valid target.
Saber
The saber, which is the modern descendant of 19th century dueling sabers, has a curved, flexible blade and an oval-shaped guard that covers the hand, Tavan said. Unlike the other fencing weapons, the saber is considered edged, meaning that points can be scored with both the tip and the edge of the blade. Everything above the belt is considered a valid target in saber fencing.
Epee
The epee is virtually unchanged from the dueling sword of the 19th and 20th century, Tavan said. The epee has a heavy, triangular cross-section blade and a large bell guard intended to protect the entire hand and forearm. Like the foil, the epee is considered point-only. Unlike the foil, the epee can score anywhere on the body, including the head.
The Match
A modern fencing match involves three people: two fencers and a director. The fencer's job is to score points against each other by touching their opponent with the point (or edge, in the case of the saber) while protecting themselves from being touched, Tavan said. The director calls, "Halt!" whenever a touch is made, and rules on infractions and fouls.
Traditionally, there were line judges, in addition to the director, watching for points at different angles, but modern electronic scoring systems that light up as soon as a touch is made have rendered this unnecessary. Matches go until a set number of points are scored, which vary from about five for a short bout to as many as 12 or 13 for high-level, competitive play.
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