Today is

By: Ikedi Ani-okoye.

Fencing Explained

In the broadest possible sense, fencing is the art of armed combat involving cutting, stabbing, or bludgeoning weapons directly manipulated by hand, rather than shot, thrown or positioned. Examples include swords, knives, pikes, bayonets, batons, clubs, and similar weapons. This definition is a stretch of the word, however. "Fencing" wasn't invented until either the Renaissance or at the very end of the Late Middle Ages, depending on who you ask. For weapon styles pre-dating this origin, "melee" or "Western martial arts" are better descriptors.

About Fencing

Fencing is a combat sport that uses weapons. You may think of Zorro or the Three Musketeers when hearing the word “fencing”, but the actual sport is fast and athletic, and the bladework that Zorro does would make him lose his bout.

The object of fencing is to effectively score a set number of points on your opponent before he scores that number on you. Points are scored by getting touches on your opponent. How you can get touches varies from weapon to weapon, and the target areas will be discussed on each specific weapon page.

Sabre fencing

The first modern Olympic games featured foil and sabre fencing for men only. Epee was introduced in 1900. Single stick was featured in the 1904 games. Epee was electrified in the 1936 games, foil in 1956, and sabre in 1988. Early Olympic games featured events for Masters, and until recently fencing was the only Olympic sport that has included professionals.

Disruptions in prevailing styles have accompanied the introduction of electric judging, most recently transforming sabre fencing. Foil fencing experienced similar upheavals for a decade or two following the introduction of electric judging, which were further complicated by the new, aggressive, athletic style coming out of eastern Europe at the time.

CONCLUSION

A solid knowledge of fencing theory and regulations is a must. The freelance fencer should study the FIE Rules of Competition and a good fencing manual. The fencer should test and apply this knowledge by presiding whenever possible. An appreciation of good fencing style is also essential, so that the fencer can readily identify weaknesses in his own and other fencers' techniques. Observation and comparison of skilled or accomplished fencers will develop this ability. Training videotapes and videotapes of high-level competitions are also helpful in this regard.