Fencing Part I

With swimming taking a lot of limelight recently (because of none other than the phenomenal Phelps), I figured I could shift some of your attention to my favourite sport Fencing:) I am quite ashamed to say that even as a fencer, I haven't been following the sport at the Olympics closely though I have valid reasons for that - I am completely clueless about the fencing events' schedules, and competitive fencing is incredibly difficult to watch and understand for non-fencers and noobs (me belonging to the latter). And of course, there isn't an equivalent of Phelps in fencing yet that makes it so worth watching.

Ok, so to let you guys understand more about fencing, I've decided to dedicate this post to the sport to inform you all of what the sport is really about. Then, if you all decide fencing is cool enough, you can all join me!


Modern Fencing

Many people who have not had any exposure to fencing do not realise that the sport is divided into 3 types of weapon, with each category of weapon governed by its own unique rules, methods of bladework and footwork. The 3 weapons are namely Épeé, Foil and Sabre (or as the Americans would have it, Saber). Typically a fencer will specialise in one of these weapons; you wouldn't expect him or her to fence all three. I'm currently learning the ways of Sabre.(a completely arbitrary choice btw)From top to bottom: Sabre, foil & epee
Source: http://visual.merriam-webster.com/images/sports-games/combat-sports/fencing/fencing-weapons_1.jpg


Types of attacks & target areas

Sabre differs mainly from the other 2 weapons in that having calvary origins, it employs slashes on its opponent instead of jabs, as in foil and epee.

In the past, the calvary (troops) fought on horsebacks and they attacked only their opponents while refraining from killing their opponents' horses (yes, apparently they extend their humanity to horses but not humans); in modern sabre fencing, the valid target area is anywhere from the waist up (ie torso and head).

While the type of attacks is the same for epee and foil, their target areas are different. A foil fencer will only score on the torso area whereas for epee, any attack along the whole body (feet, legs, torso and head) is a legitimate attack.

Rules

Have you ever watched a match where two fencers apparently score, but only one of them gets a point? Generally, a fencer can score with an attack but not a counter attack. Rules, known as right-of-way rules and applicable to Sabre and Foil (Epee are free of these rules), are kept in place to determine who has executed an attack and who a counter attack. So basically, right-of-way rules determine which fencer has the right of way to attack and score.


Ok, I'll stop here for now. Will continue on the subject some other time.