The Sport of Fencing

I simplified the explanation of each of these topics.  For an indepth study of each topic please consult the documentation section of this web site for the USFA rulebook, or the bibliography of books written by much more competent instructors and authors

The sport of fencing consists of the friendly combat between two fencers using one of three different weapons. Fencing includes three distinct weapons, The Foil, Epee, and Sabre. The weapon determines how one may score upon an opponent.  Each weapon incorporates special rules regarding:

• Which portion of the weapon to use in scoring a "touch" (point or blade)

• What area of the target's body counts as a valid.

• Wether the weapon requires "right-of-way"

Combat with all three weapons takes place on a strip called a Piste. The Piste measures a total 14 meters long, 1.5 to 2 meters in width.  Each fencer begins 2 meters from the centerline, placing them 4 meters apart.  

Before each combat begins the fencers stand, salute each other, salute their director, salute any judges aiding the director, salute their audience, and salute each other a final time.  They then come En Garde and await the directors orders to begin.

The director addresses the fencers ordering the fencers to come En Garde.  After each fencer places themself in proper Garde asks "Fencers Ready?".  After an affirmative from both, or absence of a negative reply, the Director gives the command for fencing to commence with the word "Fence!"

The fencers remain free to attempt a touch, or prevent by any means within the rules for each weapon.  They may not use their unarmed hand in any way to prevent a touch, and they must remain on the strip.  If the fencers should pass each other, the action halts and the director repositions the fencers to begin again.

Fencing continues until.

• A valid touch occurs

• A fencer leaves the strip

• A fencer commits an action classed as a penalty

• Time runs out.

• The director feels the fencers are in danger.

• The director can no longer follow the action.

Should any of these actions take place, the director orders "Halt!".  Both fencers must immediately cease their fencing.  (A fencer may score on a simple direct action begun prior to the Halt, depending on the reason for the Halt)

The Director then calls any actions (describes what occurred).  If a valid touch arrives, the director awards points and directs the fencers back to their En Garde lines they began the bout in, and continues the bout.  If the director awards no touches, the director replaces the fencers centered at the point he or she believes the action halted and recomenses the match from that point.

The bout continues until one of the fencers achieves the agreed upon score, or time runs out.  Most bouts within the USFA consist of one of the following formats.

• Pool bouts to 5 touches OR 4 minutes

• Direct Elimination bouts to 15 touches, OR 3 periods of 3 minutes each with a 1 minute break between each period.

After the final touch, the fencers Shake hands using their ungloved hands, salute each other again, and leave the strip.

Written 9-12-99 by David K. Grant
free to distribute if :

• credit to author included

• email me (dkgrant@calpoly.edu) of URL location where posted

• this notice included on document.