Fencing has an appeal to people of all ages, all over the world. Although it's presumed to be an "obscure sport", it isn't. Fencing is gaining in popularity and the number of people joining clubs to learn to fence is increasing. It's open to anyone who can hold a weapon, a foil, epee or sabre; there are events in the sport for children, adults and veterans. Paralympic fencing is an Olympic sport and there are clubs that cater for fencers who need wheels.
Fencing clubs encourage members and usually have all the equipment a beginner needs to get started. It's good exercise for both the body and the mind. You can go as far as you want in fencing, from social fencer to aiming for the international world cup and championship circuit. In Europe the sport has a large and enthusiastic following with significant prize money on offer. In the USA the sport has been built up and has a professional circuit of its own.
Fencing is an Olympic sport and has been included in every Olympics of the modern era. Here is some information about fencing clubs and the sport to get you started.
What is Fencing?
Fencing is a one-on-one sport played out on a piste, a narrow strip 14 metres long and about 1.5 metres wide, designed to resemble the corridor of a castle. There are three disciplines within the sport, fencing foil, sabre or epee. You can also fence individually or in team events.
Fencers wear protective gear, a long sleeved jacket, breeches, an under shirt known as an "under-plastron" and a mask with a mesh visor. Women fencers also wear a plastic chest shield. All fencers wear a glove on their weapon hand. Depending upon the weapon being used fencers may also wear a "lame", a metallic vest for the registering of "hits" and a body wire connected to the electric scoring system.
The Three Weapons in Fencing
The three fencing weapons are the foil, the epee and the sabre. Each has different characteristics and is fenced differently. The target area to be hit on an opponent varies according to the weapon. The foil is the first weapon for beginners but is also the most popular weapon on the professional fencing circuit. It is a very fast discipline.
In foil fencers wear a sleeveless lame or vest that covers the hips and defines the target area. A touch with the tip of the weapon registering on the lame is a hit, whether on the front or back of the lame. A hit anywhere else on the body is "off target" and doesn't score.
In epee fencing the whole body is the target area and hits are often scored on the feet, the mask and the hand. A scoring hit is a touch anywhere on the body, including the back. An epee is a heavier weapon than a foil with a larger guard for the hand. Sabre fencing is a high energy, precision sport where the lame is long sleeved and the target area includes the mask.
The Ritual in Fencing
A fencing bout has a ritual structure and code. A bout starts with the fencers, unmasked, on the piste saluting each other and the referee by raising their weapons. Once masked the fencers take up the "en garde" position and the referee calls out "fence" or "allez". As each hit is scored it is registered on the electric system and the fencers take up the en garde position again. A bout can be to 5 or 15 hits depending upon the stage of the particular event.
A fencer cannot leave the piste at the end of the bout without saluting their opponent again and shaking hands with the non-weapon hand. A fencer never shakes hands with the weapon hand.
Fencing Clubs Exist Worldwide and are Found on the Web
Clubs operate to teach and provide social fencing but many clubs also run regular competitive events as do state, provincial and national associations. There are national fencing associations in the USA, UK, Canada, Asia, most countries in Europe, particularly Italy, France and Germany, all with websites.
In Australia fencing is organised by the Australian Fencing Association. Each State also has a fencing association. The New South Wales Fencing Association is one of the most innovative and has retained a former Italian Olympic Coach, Antonio Signorello to bring Australian fencing up to an international, professional level. Antonio also teaches at his own club in Marrickville on Friday nights and at the Marconi Club on Thursdays. Fencing NSW lists fencing clubs and their contact details on its site.
The International Fencing Association is the Federation International Escrime, FIE, in Switzerland. The FIE is the governing body of fencing and runs international world cup events and the world championships.
Something else to do on the weekend is to have a Spanish party.
Toni Bartush - Toni Bartush was a Barrister at the New South Wales Bar and a Solicitor in private practice, specialising in civil litigation. She was a ...
