How to Learn the Basics of Fencing

Fencing has been an Olympic sport since the first modern Olympics in 1896. The three bladed weapons available for fencing are the foil, epee and the saber, and the goal of fencing is to earn points by striking your opponent with your blade while avoiding being hit. Fencing is a popular spot at Ivy league schools, and fencing clubs, associations, coaches and tournaments can be found throughout the United States.

Instructions

    • 1

      Learn the terminology and basics of fencing. Fencing is done on a long, skinny strip called the piste on which two fencers compete with their weapons, earning a point for hitting their opponent with their weapon without being hit themselves. Fouls are given for leaving the piste, disobeying the referee or using your unarmed hand for offense or defense. The first foul given is usually a warning and subsequent fouls earn a point for the opponent.

    • 2

      Aim your strikes at the valid target area of your opponent. Foil fencing only allows hits from the torso to the neck; sabre fencing allows hits to the torso, head or arms; and epee fencing allows hits anywhere on the body. Foil hits must be done with the point of the blade. Sabre and epee hits may be done with the edge or point of the blade. Significant pressure must be applied on a strike for it to count. Expensive electronic blades can measure and report the pressure. When fencing with nonelectronic blades, a foil strike must bend when it hits to count. Foil and sabre fencing have a right of way rule where the first fencer who extends their weapon toward the opponent's target area gets to attack first. The opponent must parry the ensuing attack before they can counter-attack, called a riposte. A legal strike to the opponent's target area earns one point. A bout usually ends after four minutes or when a fencer has earned five points.

    • 3

      Treat your opponent and the judges with respect at all times. Salute your opponent and judges at the beginning of the bout. Remove your mask when the bout ends and hold it with your weapon arm and shake your opponent's hand with your nonweapon hand. Always respect rulings from the fencing judges and president.

    • 4

      Compete with safety always on your mind. Carelessness can result in someone's blade cutting another person or themselves.

    • 5

      Join a local fencing club to start competing. You can ask friends, family or search online for fencing clubs near you. Call the club and ask about membership costs, equipment requirements how often they meet and how many are in their club. Make sure to tour the fencing club before joining and see if they have any available discounts on equipment for members.