Ready, Set, Fence! – a

“mini-mester”

Lester Ko – September, 2009

Did you know….there’s a sport that imitates

dance?

And it involves swordplay and far away places.

FENCING IS ONE OF THE FOUR SPORTS WHICH HAS BEEN FEATURED AT EVERY MODERN OLYMPIC GAMES.

BEIJING ATHENS LONDON

FoilThe sport I played in

college.

Epee

SabreCurrently, three types of weapons are used in Olympic fencing…

FOIL

The lightest of the three weapons, where a single point is scored by a fencer following the rule of "right of way”.

Long ago, this was the practice sword. Today, it is equal to the other weapons.

Target areas for foil

Valid target at foil - the torso, and the portion of the bib 1.5-2cm below chin level (in orange).

EPEE

A heavier weapon, where both fencers can score points at the same time. There is no "right of way”.

This weapon was once used for dueling.

Target areas for epee

Valid target area at Épée (the entire body).

SABRE

Unlike the other two weapons, a fencer can use the entire blade to score a point. Just like a light-saber.

Only one fencer can score at a time. This weapon follows "right of way”.

This weapon was once used to fence while riding a horse.

Target areas for sabre

Valid target at sabre (everything above the waist, excepting the hands and the back of the head).

What is Right of Way? Why is it important?

Fencing features rules of right of way or priority, which determine which fencer's hit will be scored when both fencers have hit. The basic principle of priority is that the hit of the fencer who begins an offensive action first will prevail over his/her opponent's hit, unless the action fails.

So….

In other words, think of two cars at a stop sign. The car that moves first has right of way, and the other car must wait its turn. The fencer that moves forward first has the “right” to score a point.

Although the weapons are not sharp, fencers still wear several pieces of equipment to protect themselves during their bouts.

Jacket

Gloves

Mask

Cool. But did you know….

In modern fencing, 'electric' weapons are used. These have a tip on the point of the blade, which allows the scoring to be registered electronically, so that each fencer gets the proper points.

In order to score a point, one fencer must touch the other with force of at least 4.90 newtons (500 grams/force) for at least 15 milliseconds.

In order for the touch to register, fencers wear conductive (lame) jackets covering their target area, which allow the scoring device to differentiate between on- and off-target hits.

Technology made it better.

How do the electric

weapons work?

There is a layer of electrically conductive material (called a lamé) worn over the fencing jacket, and entirely covers the valid target area. In sabre, the lamé has sleeves and ends in a straight line across the waist.

In foil, the lamé is sleeveless.

So, what does a competition look like?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxBHrYloFXw`

And don’t be fooled, even though fencing – like your school – is a

single gender sport, girls can fence as well as

boys!

So, play a sport!

“The importance of sports in the life of a young student is invaluable and goes much further than the basic answer that "it keeps kids off the streets." It does in fact keep kids off the streets, but it also instills lessons that are essential in the life of a student athlete....” -- Ollie Cooperwood