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History -

Fencing is a combat sport with three disciplines: the foil, the épée, and the sabre; each discipline uses a different kind of sword. 

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History -

Fencing began as a way to develop swordsmanship for duels and self-defense. The shift from military training to sport happened in the mid-18th century. 

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History -

In the mid-18th century, Domenico Angelo established Angelo's School of Arms, a fencing academy in London. He established the posture and footwork rules that are still used in sport fencing today.

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History -

White uniforms are worn in fencing because, before the advent of electronic scoring, the tips of swords were dipped in ink so judges could see if an opponent had been hit or touched.

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The start of a match -

Before a match, or bout, begins, unmasked opponents will salute the referee and each other as a sign of respect. The referee will then command "en garde" as a signal to get into position for the fight to begin.

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Piste -

Fencing bouts take place on a piste which is 14 meters (45.9 feet) long and 1.5 to 2 meters (4.9 to 6.5 feet) wide. 

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Techniques -

There are several techniques and strategies used in fencing. To be a good fencer, you need to have precision in distance, timing, and movement.

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Offensive actions -

Fencing involves a continuous attack and defense from both opponents. Common offensive moves include thrusts, cuts, and lunges.

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Defensive actions -

Some of the most common defensive moves in fencing include the parry, the passata-sotto, and the in-quartata. 

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Footwork -

Good footwork is essential in fencing. Basic techniques include the advance, the retreat, and the lunge. Practicing footwork drills is a good way to improve the speed and control of your movements.

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Touches -

The three disciplines of fencing have different touchpoints for scoring. In foil, a hit only counts if it lands within the torso whereas in épée, the entire body, including head and feet, are valid.

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Refereeing -

Modern fencing includes three (yellow, red, and black) penalty cards or flags. A fencer penalized with a black card is excluded from the competition and may be suspended from the rest of the tournament.

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Electric scoring -

A foil fencer must wear a metallic vest (lamé), have an electric foil (sword), and a body cord. This detects whether a touch has been made and determines who receives a point.

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Jacket -

A fencing jacket is protective clothing worn during bouts. It is padded and reinforced to absorb impacts and prevent injuries from the opponent's weapon.

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Plastron -

A plastron is worn under the jacket. It provides an extra layer of protection from any hits that might slip past the jacket's defenses.

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Mask -

The mask protects the head and face from hits during a bout. Beginners usually start with an épée mask for non-electric fencing.

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Gloves -

Fencing gloves protect the hand holding the weapon. They also provide grip for better control during a bout.

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Swords -

There are three fencing swords: the foil, épée, and sabre. Each have different compositions and rules for scoring.

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Injuries -

Punctures are rare and are usually the result of broken equipment. Minor cuts and bruises are common, but the main form of injury fencers face are overuse injuries, such as strains, sprains, and soreness.

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Competitive levels -

Fencing is practiced at various competitive levels, from local clubs and regional tournaments to national and international championships. 

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Fencing influenced ballet -

Historians believe ballet originated in the 15th century as a dance interpretation of swordplay or fencing. 

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Training and conditioning -

Fencers train rigorously to develop the strength, speed, agility, and endurance required for competition.

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Olympic sport -

Fencing has been included in the Olympic Games since the first modern Olympics in 1896. The épée discipline was included in 1990.

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Where is fencing most popular? -

Fencing is most popular in Russia, France, Hungary, and Germany. Edoardo Mangiarotti from Italy has won the most Olympic fencing medals.

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Etiquette -

Fencers should always salute before and after a bout or lesson. Yelling is common in the sport: in épée, some yell to release tension, while in sabre and foil, it often happens after touching for a point. You should never directly yell in an opponent's face.

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Age -

There are no rules regarding what age someone should start fencing. However, most fencers start around the age of nine. 

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Lightsaber fencing -

In 2019, France's fencing federation officially recognized lightsaber dueling as a competitive sport. 

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Wheelchair fencing -

Wheelchair fencing was featured in the first Paralympic Games in Rome in 1960, and has featured at every Games since. 

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Fencing in popular culture -

Fencing has seen a rise in popularity in recent years due to its feature in the TV series 'Game of Thrones' and the 2015 Finnish-Estonian-German film 'The Fencer' which was nominated for a Golden Globe Award.

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Social benefits -

Fencing is more than a sport; fencing clubs often create a strong sense of community and camaraderie among members. The supportive environment makes fencing attractive for those looking to connect with other people.

Sources: (USA Fencing) (International Fencing Federation) (History Timelines) 
See also: The most interesting facts about samurai that you never knew

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