What is Fencing?
The sport of fencing is fast and athletic, a far cry from the choreographed bouts you see on film or on the stage. Instead of swinging from a chandelier or leaping from balconies, you will see two fencers performing an intense dance on a six-feet-by-40-feet strip. The movement is so fast the touches are scored electrically - more like Star Wars than Errol Flynn.
- The Weapons
Foil, épée and sabre are the three weapons used in the sport of fencing. While it is not unusual for fencers to compete in all three events, they generally choose to develop their skills in one weapon. Until recently, women were permitted to compete only in foil, but now the USFA & FIE offer national competitions for women in épée and sabre. Women's épée was added to the World Championships in 1989 and was held for the first time at the Olympic Games in 1996. Foil and épée are point-thrusting weapons. Sabre is a point-thrusting as well as a cutting weapon. The target areas differ for the three weapons, though all three are scored electrically.
- Object
The main object of a fencing bout (what an individual "game" is called) is to effectively score 15 points (in direct elimination play) or five points (in preliminary pool play) on your opponent before he scores that number on you. Each time a fencer scores a touch, she receives a point. Direct elimination matches consist of three three-minute periods.
- Foil
The foil has a flexible rectangular blade, approximately 35 inches in length, weighing less than one pound. Points are scored with the tip of the blade and must land within the torso of the body. The valid target area in foil is the torso, from the shoulders to the groin, front and back. It does not include the arms, neck, head and legs. The foil fencer's uniform includes a metallic vest (called a lamé) which covers the valid target area, so that a valid touch will register on the scoring machine. A small, spring-loaded tip is attached to the point of the foil and is connected to a wire inside the blade. The fencer wears a body cord inside his uniform which connects the foil to a reel wire, connected to the scoring machine. There are two scoring lights on the machine. One shows a green light when a fencer is hit, and one shows a red light when her opponent is hit. A touch landing outside the valid target area (that which is not covered by the lamé) is indicated by a white light. These "off target" hits do not count in the scoring, but they do stop the fencing action temporarily.
- Épée
The épée (pronounced "EPP-pay"), the descendant of the dueling sword, is similar in length to the foil, but is heavier, weighing approximately 27 ounces, with a larger guard (to protect the hand from a valid hit) and a much stiffer blade. Touches are scored only with the point of the blade. The entire body is the valid target area. The blade is wired with a spring-loaded tip at the end that completes an electrical circuit when it is depressed beyond a pressure of 750 grams. This causes the colored bulb on the scoring machine to light. Because the entire body is a valid target area, the épée fencer's uniform does not include a lamé. Off-target hits do not register on the machine.
- Sabre
The sabre is the modern version of the slashing cavalry sword, and is similar in length and weight to the foil. The major difference is that the sabre is a thrusting weapon as well as a cutting weapon (use of the blade). The target area is from the bend of the hips (both front and back), to the top of the head, simulating the cavalry rider on a horse. The sabre fencer's uniform includes a metallic jacket (lamé), which covers the target area to register a valid touch on the scoring machine. The mask is different from foil and épée, with a metallic covering since the head is valid target area. Just as in foil, there are two scoring lights on the machine. One shows a green light when a fencer is hit, and one shows a red light when the opponent has hit. Off-target hits do not register on the machine.
- Right-Of-Way
One of the most difficult concepts to visualize in foil and sabre fencing is the rule of right-of-way. This rule was established to eliminate apparently simultaneous attacks by two fencers.
In essence, right-of-way is the differentiation of offense and defense, made by the referee. The difference is important only when both the red and green lights go on at the same time in foil and sabre. When this happens, the winner of the point is the one who the referee determined was on offense at the time the lights went on.
Épée does not use the right-of-way in keeping with its dueling origin - he who first gains the touch earns the point. Or, if both fencers hit within 1/25th of a second of each other, both earn a point. However, it is equally important to have a sound defense for épée, since the entire body must be protected from a touch.
- How to Follow the Action
For those new to fencing, it is difficult to follow the lightning speed of the fencers' actions. To become more comfortable in watching a fencing bout, focus on one fencer. The fencer being attacked defends himself by use of a parry, a motion used to deflect the opponent's blade, after which the defender can make a riposte, an answering attack. Thus, the two adversaries keep changing between offense and defense. Whenever a hit is made, the referee will stop the bout, describe the actions, and decide whether or not to award a touch. Fencers seek to maintain a safe distance from each other, that is, out of range of the other's attack. Then, one will try to break this distance to gain the advantage for an attack. At times, a fencer will make a false attack to gauge the types of reactions by the opponent that can be deceived in the real attack.As you become accustomed to the speed of the game, the tactics and strategies become more apparent, and you will gain a better understanding for the finesse and fascination of fencing!
This information was provided by the US Fencing Association.
Why should I fence?
- Fencing is fun.
You or your kids dream at night of being Zorro, Luke Skywalker, Inigo Montoya of the The Princess Bride, Aragorn of Lord of the Rings, or D'Artagnan of The Three Musketeers. Why is that? All of those 'characters' are enjoying themselves swinging their sword, out-thinking their opponent, and ultimately triumphing over them. Well, it is time for you to stop dreaming. The fencers at the Denver Fencing Center have that kind of fun night after night.
- Fencing is cheaper than skiing and many other sports.
Yes, we know the stereotype. You think fencing is only practiced at prep schools and other elite institutions because it’s expensive. Wrong. Our classes start at $60 for a six-week class while a day at the slopes could easily cost $60. At the Denver Fencing Center, you can start by renting equipment for your classes. Once you are committed, the practice fencing gear starts at around $150 from most major fencing manufacturers. Competitive fencing gear for local or regional can range in price from $250 to $350. Try to find a good pair of skis and boots for that price.
- Fencing is a great workout.
Fencing burns 390 calories an hour and fencers have some of the strongest legs pound for pound of any athlete. You’ll challenge both your upper and lower body with intensity as you dash up and down the strip. Prone to ankle and knee injuries? Not to worry. Fencing movements emphasize the quads and glutes, minimizing stress on joints. Fencing improves hand-eye coordination and speeds up your reaction time. Unlike other workouts, fencing is never boring due to the fact that you are constantly trying to out-think your opponent and avoid being hit. Even the best athletes who have taken their first fencing class find their muscles a little sore the next day.
- Fencing is safer than golf.
Fencing has been shown to be safer than golf. Why? Our best guess is that there are no lighting strikes, no balls or clubs whizzing at you from unknown directions, and fencers wear protective clothing. See the safety section of the website for more information.
- Fencing's popularity is surging and there's no shortage of opponents.
There are over 17,000 card-carrying members of the US Fencing association (required to compete in USFA sanctioned tournaments) and attendance at national tournaments has broken records each of the last few years. In 1997, there were 342,000 people who competed in fencing. In 2001, the number of fencing competitors climbed to 509,000.[1] The Front Range is one of the best places in the country for fencing. The US Fencing Association (USFA) is headquartered at the Olympic training center in Colorado Springs. Regional tournaments are held frequently and attract fencers of all abilities from throughout Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas and Texas.
- So you have convinced me that I want to fence, what is the next step?
The next step is to either visit the Denver Fencing Center or register for a class. Our classes run every six weeks and we are always looking for new students.
Parents' Guide to Fencing
Why should your children should fence?
- Fun
Why is it fun? It inspires kids’ imaginations. It's not hard to imagine that your opponent is Darth Vader and you are Luke Skywalker. When your children do this in the house and break an antique lamp, you discourage this behavior. But at the Denver Fencing Center, we can encourage this behavior in an ideal setting where they can live out their dreams and have a tremendous amount of fun.
- Fencing is for everyone
Unlike most other sports, there is no ideal body type for a fencer. How can that be? Winning at fencing is a combination of many things: the mind of a chess player (watching for your opponent’s openings), the face of a poker player (bluffing your opponent), the flexibility of a gymnast (good for lunging), the hand-eye coordination of a calligrapher (Zorro would not be able to Z without it), and the endurance of a marathoner (to win a tournament with over 100 competitors). No child or adult, for that matter, is going to come into fencing with all of these different attributes. When you come to the Denver Fencing Center and look around at our adult members, they are all different ages, sizes, and body types. Successful fencers will find a way to win no matter their body type. Here at the Denver Fencing Center we train each fencer with techniques to complement their strengths and supplement their weaknesses. Ultimately, if your child sticks with fencing, they will find a way to make their body type work to their advantage.
- Self-control
Imagine standing there when a person suddenly moves quickly toward you with a sword pointed at you. What to you do? Tell your feet to move backwards, your hand to move your sword to block theirs, tell you mind to stop racing and think what you are going to do if you stop this attack. As a fencer, you will need to have the self-control to tell your body to handle these three different actions at one time. Compare this with other sports that have you just try to kick or hit the ball. The strategy and self-control is an afterthought. In fencing, self-control and body-control are what keep you from getting hit. By fencing, your child will gain greater self-control and increase concentration. Soon enough, this self-control will begin to extend to other aspects of their life.
- Respect
Each bout that your child fences at the Denver Fencing Center start in the same way: with a respectful salute of the sword to his opponent, to the referee, and to the audience. When fencing without referees, fencers are trained to acknowledge their opponents touches and often times even with referee, fencers at the Denver Fencing Center will acknowledge an opponents touch. Imagine in many team sports like softball or baseball, if the 1st baseman said to the umpire, "he was safe." Or, imagine in football if a defensive player spoke up, "my opponents' feet were in bounds and their touchdown should count." While a rarity in most sports, this is commonplace in fencing and encouraged behavior in the Denver Fencing Center.At the end of the bout, there is a required handshake among opponents. Winning and losing gracefully is not only encouraged, it is expected, along with maintain respect for the fencers and the referees. Fencing is a sanctuary of civility and fencers for centuries have acknowledged the successes of their opponents. This level of civility goes a long way into making fencing a more respectful sport than most.
- Socialization
Socialization is an important element of life. If your child takes a fencing class, they will likely take this class with children from a different school or perhaps a home school. By learning to meet new kids, your child will learn to interact with others. There is general camaraderie at tournaments among fencers who see each other again and again. Fencers soon learn that it is advantageous to win and lose gracefully to continue to keep your opponents as friends.
- Travel/Tournaments
As parents and children, fencing affords the opportunity to travel to various tournaments. The experienced fencers of the Denver Fencing Center travel to local, regional, and national tournaments. Here are some of the locations that our fencers have visited or will visit in the coming year: Santa Fe, Las Vegas, Palm Springs, and San Jose. Recently, our fencers have even received a flyer for a fencing tournament on a cruise ship leaving from Long Beach. While we cannot promise that all fencing tournaments will be in ideal destinations, fencing offer the opportunity to visit a new places and meet new people from across the country. Fencing tournaments are usually held in the off-season of a hosting city, making travel and accommodations more affordable to fencers. Some parents have found that fencing tournaments have afforded them the opportunity (or excuse) to get away that they might not have had.
- College
Whether your child’s goals are to fence at a NCAA level or to fence at a recreational level, college is one of the greatest reasons to fence. Colleges are always looking for well-rounded individuals for their schools. Fencing can provide a terrific entrée to the elite schools by giving your child a skill that few possess, but these elite schools desire. The schools that have NCAA programs are looking for both men and women to fill out their roster spots. Some of these schools offer fencing scholarships. Even if you aren't one of the top fencers, fencing can add an athletic element to any application. Nearly all colleges and universities have either NCAA or club fencing program. Most people learn fencing in college classes, but your child will learn fencing beforehand and therefore be more attractive to the school.
- NCAA Fencing
Here are some quick facts about NCAA's:
- Did you know that if you compete in these sports: Men’s basketball, Women’s basketball, Football, Baseball, or Men’s Soccer in high school, you have less than a 6% chance of competing in these sports at the NCAA level? Did you know if you compete in fencing in high school, you have a 50% chance competing at an NCAA level! [2]
- Did you know that 2,095 student-athletes compete in fencing at a NCAA level? [3] Did you know that only 1,418 student-athletes compete in fencing in High school programs? [4] In Colorado, there are no competitive high school programs; the students from Colorado who go onto NCAA level fencing are trained at clubs like the Denver Fencing Center.
- Did you know that twelve of the top fifteen schools have either an NCAA men’s or women’s fencing program? [5]
- Did you know that the oldest trophy given in all of collegiate sports is the ‘Iron Man’ trophy given to top Men’s Fencing Team at the Intercollegiate Fencing Association's Championships? Let the Denver Fencing Center work with your son or daughter to train them to get to this level of fencing. When the time comes to apply for college and college recruiting, let the Denver Fencing Center work with your family on identifying the right college for your child. "I've probably put more kids in Ivy League schools than Hawken and University School (private schools in Cleveland) combined." Coach Bill Reith, Alcazar Fencing Club in Cleveland.[6]
Don't let your children have all the fun…
The Denver Fencing Center offers classes for adults. Click on the Classes section for more details. Why your children wait for your class to finish, they can finish their homework in the waiting area of the Denver Fencing Center. So don’t delay, sign up your whole family for a class today.
Healthful Diversion for Women: The Ladies' Class of the Fencers' Club in West 24th Street, New York
Leslie's Weekly, Issue March 31, 1888.
Women's Guide to Fencing
- Women compete as effectively against men as they compete against each other.
As you can see by the above engraving, women have been participating in sport of fencing for nearly as long as men. In the Colorado and regional tournaments, women may fence in a women's only event or the open event with the men. Why is that? Fencing is different from most sports from a physiological perspective. While most sports rely on upper body strength where men may out-muscle their female opponents, fencing relies almost solely on lower body strength. One only needs to have enough upper-body strength to make a 27-ounce sword hit a target. Men and women are nearly equal in terms of leg strength; if one were to take the measurement of body mass vs. lean muscle mass, women might actually be stronger. Fencing is about out-witting your opponent, not out-muscling your opponent. So if you, as a woman, can outwit a man on a regular basis, then with some fencing training, you will be beating men in fencing on a regular basis.
- Fencing is a great workout.
Fencing is ideal for firming up a woman's body. While fencing is a whole body workout, it exercises the thighs, hips and bottom hardest of all. Bond girl Rosamund Pike (Die Another Day) said: "I found fencing scenes excellent for firming up my thighs." If you're looking to receive more compliments like the ones that Jennifer Lopez receives, fencing is one of your best exercise options. Why? Fencing requires lunges that force the legs to work hard and become stronger than nearly any other sport. Quick movements insure a fast paced, aerobic workout that burns 390 calories per hour.
- You're in good company: female fencers abound.
Women have been fencing alongside men for centuries, and women's fencing has been an Olympic sport since 1924 and was one of the first female college sports. In the 2001-2002 season, there were over 1,000 women fencers on NCAA's Women Fencing Teams. In the US, thousands of women compete regionally and nationally in age divisions that range from Youth 10 and Unders to over-60 Veterans fencers. You can check out your competition in the national rankings on the USFA website. Catherine Zeta-Jones, Madonna, and Rosamund Pike all kept fencing even after learning the sport for their roles in Mask of Zorro, and Die another Day, respectively. The popular Chelsea Piers sports complex in Manhattan has added several cardio fencing classes to their schedule, with considerable success.
- A good fencer is graceful, aggressive, strategic and strong. What other sports feature this combination?
Fencing is a martial art and is ideal for relieving stress. Yes, it's one of those great sports where you get to hit stuff; seriously though, you'll be surprised how life's stresses move to the background as you focus on out-thinking your opponent and winning the bout. As you hone your technique, you'll also develop tools for channeling aggression into your fencing style.
Women's Frequently Asked Questions
- Will it hurt my breasts?
No!!! Women fencers are well protected and safety is our primary concern. Women at DFC wear required 'Xena-like' chest protectors. The 'Xena' protectors are complete plastic bra that cover most of the torso and provides excellent protection. Fencing weapons are designed for safety; all weapons are made of pliable steel with give that will bend rather than stab. Beginner foils have blunt tips at the end that feel more like a pencil eraser than a sword. These precautions insure that your focus is on winning the bout and having fun.
- 2. Should I stop fencing when I pregnant?
Of course, you should talk to your doctor about all exercise programs when you start or when you become pregnant. Many women fencers find that they still like to perform their fencing footwork and still take private lessons through their pregnancy. Both these activities are low impact and insure that you keep your fitness level through your pregnancy. Valentina Vezzali, won the 2004 Olympics Gold Medal, got pregnant and had her first child, Pietro, and then won the 2005 World Championships three months later. Wow!
Denver Fencing Center's Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Can I wear glasses under my mask?
Yes, the mask can be adjusted to fit your normal glasses underneath. Many fencers wear glasses successful under their mask.
- I am age ___, is it too late for me to start fencing?
This is a question that we get alot. It is never to late to start fencing. Many of our fencers started later in life and still enjoy fencing after 20 plus years. The U.S. Fencing Association has veteran division of fencing that start at age 40 and is HIGHLY COMPETITIVE. Some of current and former members of the Denver Fencing Center have been members of Veteran World Championship Fencing teams. The members of the DFC range in age from teens to their seventies. Your age is never an excuse not to start fencing!
- What do I wear to a fencing class?
Wear a comfortable cotton t-shirt, a long pants (thick sweat pants are ideal) and athletic shoes. The Denver Fencing Center does have bathrooms to make clothing changes.
- I am a parent, can I come watch a class?
We encourage parents to come watch a class to see that fencing is fun, safe sport. Don't be afraid to strike up a conversation with the other parents who are enjoy watching their kids in the fencing classes. We encourage parents to see and understand the sport of fencing and many of them, after see their kids fence, decide to take an adult class. Most of our students arrive to the Center from word of mouth from other DFC students and we encourage you to check out this fun and exciting sport.
Safety and Fencing
Fencing is one of the safest sports that one can try. In all of the years that the Denver Fencing Center has been in operation, no one has been hurt more than a sprained ankle or ‘tennis’ elbow type of injury.
Question: How can this be since fencing originated from the fact of warfare, duels, and attempting to kill the other man with a sword?
- Fencing is largely a non-contact sport where points are scored by touching the opponent with the tip or side of the weapon. This tip or side of the sword has been blunted or flattened. The blade themselves are flexible and bend when they hit the fencer. Thus, the blades no longer retain the dangerous qualities of the past in the modern sport.
- Fencing clothing has been designed with safety in mind. The mask has been designed to withstand a tremendous amount of pressure. The clothing, while lightweight, is strong and resilient. When a fencer wears their mask and proper fencing attire, the fencer will be safe from the blade. The mask and clothing should be checked frequently for any tears or defects. The top national and international competitors in fencing wear clothing made of either ballistic nylon or Kevlar (fabrics used in bulletproof vests), to give added safety.
- In a recent version of American Fencing magazine, they compared the injury rates between soccer and fencing. The injury rates at a competitive level, fencing has 1/20 the injures of soccer.
- If you don't believe that fencing is the safest sport you can do, here is the proof:
2007 High School Sport Injury Comparison (ages 13-18)
Data from National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS). Information is collected from each NEISS hospital for every emergency visit involving an injury. Participant numbers courtesy of the National Federation of State High Schools and USFA
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Fencing |
Other High School Sports |
4 Treatments
1 Knee Dislocation
2 Ankle Sprains
1 Laceration – No Stitches Required
4280 Competitive Fencers Registered with USFA
0.09% & 0 Fatality! |
Football – 250,453 Treatments
1,108,286 Participants (11 Man)
22% & 6 Fatalities (Spinal Injury)
Basketball – 230,372 Treatments
1,002,385 Participants
23% & 0 Fatalities
Soccer – 90,882 Treatments
730,106 Participants
12% & 8 Fatalities (Head Injury)
Baseball – 58,220 Treatments
478,029 Participants
12% & 0 Fatalities
Cheerleading – 19,366 Treatments
111,307 Participants
17% & 1 Fatality (Spinal Injury)
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College Fencing Guide
The sport of fencing has a long tradition with colleges and universities across the country. The first college trophy ever given was a fencing trophy that we call the "Iron Man", which is given to top Men's Fencing Team at the Intercollegiate Fencing Association's Championships. Fencing was one of the first sports that women performed at an intercollegiate basis.
Given this longstanding tradition, nearly all colleges and universities have either a NCAA program or a competitive club program. If you take the U.S. News and World Report top 20 Universities, 14 would have NCAA programs and the other six would have club programs.
If a college applicant has fencing experience, this would certainly be a plus on their college admissions. The colleges and universities need people who can fence to participate in their NCAA teams or in their club sports activities. Many fencers believe that fencing has made the difference between them going to a good college or university and a great college or university. If you talk to the Denver Fencing Center adult members, you will find that many of them went to top universities, i.e. Harvard, Yale, Penn, Princeton, NYU. Fencing could provide that edge that kids and parents seek in the world of ever more competitive college admissions.
Colleges with Fencing Programs:
The NCAA has set rules for athletes who wish to compete in college in any sport, fencing included. Here are the NCAA rules for High School Athletes from their web site:
http://www.ncaa.org/library/general/cbsa/2003-04/index.html
The NCAA also lists out schools that have NCAA division I, II, or III programs. As with any information, especially about colleges, you should check the accuracy with the college’s individual web site. The NCAA’s web site may not be up to date.
All NCAA fencing programs (Men’s):
http://web1.ncaa.org/ssLists/sportByInst.do?sport=MFE&division=ALL
All NCAA fencing programs (Women’s)
http://web1.ncaa.org/ssLists/sportByInst.do?sport=WFE&division=ALL
Articles:
Here is a good article about the addition of Women Saber to NCAA championships:
http://www.ncaa.org/news/1999/19990118/active/3602n09.html
Here is some good advice on Fencing and fencing recruiting prior to college enrollment:
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/fencing/Recruit_Article.htm
References:
[1] National Sporting Goods Association Report
[2] NCAA report on 'Estimated Probability of Competing in Athletics Beyond the High School Interscholastic Level'
[3] NCAA report on 'Sports Sponsorship and Participation Rates'
[4] National Federation of State High School Associations Participation Study from 1971-00, data covers years from 1999-2000. From the NCAA.org website.
[5] U.S. News and World Report, America's Best Colleges 2004 Edition
[6] Cleveland Plain Dealer, October 12, 2003 edition.
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