by Robin Catling:
The epée (pronounced “ep-pay” – literally meaning “sword” in French) is the descendant of the duelling weapons such as rapier, side-sword and court sword. Heavier than the foil, weighing approximately 27 ounces, the epée has a stiffer, thicker blade with a triangular cross-section, and a larger guard. What gives epée fencing it’s character is the unrestricted target and the absence of ‘priority’ rules. …
Epée – the spirit of the duel Read More »
If team sports, bat, ball and racquet are not your thing, the antidote is fencing. Modern-day duelling in a competitive sport:
Hear a brief radio interview describing the sport and our previous club:
A modern sport at all levels, participation will develop:
Fencing provides good physical exercise, employing practically every muscle and totally absorbing the mind.
The need for coordination, concentration, self-discipline and control of the emotions makes fencing especially beneficial to young people as an education for life.
The social aspects of the sport should never be disregarded; it is equally appealing to men and women and to all ages and abilities.
From the duelling age where skill and finesse counted as highly as deadly intent, the modern sport is about technique rather than sheer strength. There is no need to hack off your opponent’s limbs, and with proper training anyone can learn to fence without causing injury. It makes fencing one of the few sports where men and women can compete on equal terms!
Find out about the rules of sports fencing: how bouts are fenced.
Modern fencing has an impressive record, with far fewer injuries than most other sports, attributable to:
In defence of the sport’s excellent safety record, there is a set of standards for fencing equipment, in both make and materials.
Any authorised fencing club should be able to lend beginners the full set of protective gear; namely, a jacket, glove and mask.
• See our approach to safety
Three weapons are used in today’s fencing, each derived from its more lethal ancestor.
In training and in practice bouts, fencers are relied upon to concede the hits they have against them. In competition, where more impartial judgement is required, additional equipment is needed.
In competition, fencers wear bodywires which enable hits to register automatically on an electronic box. This shows a coloured light and sounds a buzzer indicating which fencer has taken the hit.
• Find our more about the history of fencing
The sport of fencing developed out of the formalized sword duel. The duel of honour, which first became prevalent in the early 16th century, may have had roots in both the single combats of the medieval tournament and in the notion of ‘trial by combat’, which dated to Norman times. …
Fencing: the modern sport (An Incomplete History)Read More »
Fencing: the modern sport (An Incomplete History) Read More »
Swordfighting as a sport has existed since ancient Egypt, and has been practised in many forms in various cultures since then. Although jousting and tournament combat was a popular sport in the European Middle Ages, modern FIE fencing owes more to unarmoured duelling forms that evolved from 16th century rapier combat. …
How did fencing originate? (An Incomplete History)Read More »
How did fencing originate? (An Incomplete History) Read More »
Fencing has evolved over 800 years from a deadly combat to a complete sport. Speed of movement and the intricate strategy of ancient duelling are still very much a part of modern fencing. Since duelling 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, 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 analyse 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.
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.
Fencing – an incomplete history Read More »
