About Fencing

Fencing has evolved over 800 years from a deadly combat to a complete sport. Speed of movement and the intricate strategy of ancient dueling are still very much a part of modern fencing. Since dueling was outlawed, fencing as a sport has grown more and more popular with both men and women. Women and men compete separately, with some fencers becoming proficient in two or all three weapons (see below), while others specialize in only one. Coordination, speed, agility and self assurance are a few of the qualities this sport requires of its followers. Because of the necessity to analyze the opponent's game and to develop strategy, fencing is often described as an animated game of chess. With the development of new metal alloys, lighter and more manageable weapons have become possible. These place a premium on speed and coordination and give little if any advantage to sheer strength.

The modern Olympic sport requires fencers to be of the fittest of athletes and have levels of skills which require many hours of dedicated training. In learning the skills of attacking and defending with either the Foil, Epee or Sabre (see 'types of fencing') fencers develop good co-ordination, balance and flexibility which makes fencing training an ideal means of keeping fit for all ages and abilities

Done well, fencing is an activity that demands a huge array of physical, but also mental qualities. The sharpness needed to execute a move with perfect timing and speed whilst continually reading the opponents behaviour and adapting if need be, is one that can only be achieved through a balance of co-ordination, agility and experience.

In many ways, the focus of the job in hand can detract from the physical exertions, allowing you to work hard, but use your head and have fun at the same time. This all adds up to a very rewarding experience!

With regular fencing you can expect to develop the following attributes:

•improved coordination

•heightened reactions

•agility and explosive power

•improved endurance fitness

•mental control and discipline

•competitiveness (optional!)

Most importantly, you will achieve all of this whilst having fun at the same time, which ultimately is what sport should be all about!

The Different Types of Fencing

By fencing, we have come to mean not simply fighting for hits, but a strictly regulated game. Its traditions have been transmitted through generations and make fencing a truly educational sport. Despite the evolution of fencing from combat to sport, certain conventions have remained intact - judges do not distinguish between accidental and strategically thought out hits. Competitions are presently held in three weapons: Foil, Épée, and Sabre .

Epee

In modern épée, the blade is triangular in cross-section and lacks any cutting edges. It has the ability to flex upward and downward, but not to the sides. An electric point at the tip is used for recording hits. Unlike foil, the épée target area includes the whole of the fencer's body. There is no area of the opponent's body which is considered off-target

Foil

The modern foil is a light weapon. Its blade is rectangular and tapers from a relatively thick and inflexible section at the guard to a more slim and flexible section at the end. The tip is flattened into a small button-like end for a practice foil or fitted with an electric point for official competition. In foil fencing, the target area is confined to the trunk and excludes the arms, legs and mask. Valid hits are those which reach this target area. Hits outside this region are invalid and are not counted .

Sabre

The modern sabre is both a thrusting and a cutting weapon. In the past, sabre fencing has been exclusively non-electric, this meant that all bouts required a referee and side judges. Recently an electrical scoring apparatus has been invented and is now in use in all major competitions. In sabre, the target is comprised of all parts of the body above a horizontal line between the top of the folds formed by the thighs and the trunk of the fencer when in the on guard position.

From Fitnessfriends. http://www.ffnetwork.co.uk/directory/12/fencing.php

Above link provides a brief visual description .