Number 1: “A hit, a very palpable hit”

Originally Posted July 2006:

The desire to poke or beat another human being with a pointed stick is strong and probably primeval. Whilst fencing is inherently combative and has it’s roots in violence, it has become elevated to an art and a sport. It calls upon many subtle and finely tuned actions and reactions. It is a noble art. 

Fencing derives its name from the word defence. It requires physical and mental agility, fitness, and psychology to fence. It requires elegance.

This description of fencing is based on using the foil as opposed to epee or sabre, each of which has different target areas and rules. It is also based on fencing “steam” rather than “electric”. In "electric fencing" the foil is fitted with an electrical contact and this activates a buzzer or light to indicate a hit.

In such a sport safety is of primary concern, and can be seen as falling into two main areas; equipment and behavior. All equipment must be carefully maintained and inspected before use.

A major section of equipment is clothing. The head is protected by a mask which has a collar which protects the neck and throat. This collar must be properly turned down in order to fulfill this function. The torso is protected by a vest is made of Kevlar or similar material and is designed with stand the buttoned point of the foil. The vest covers the arms as well. It has a “V” shaped flap which covers the groin area and this is held in place by a tie that goes between the legs. The sword hand is protected by a glove which is gauntlet like in shape, and goes around the sleeve of the vest. This too is made of suitably resistant material.

Women should also wear protection for their breasts under their vest.

The foil itself is made up of several pieces. Starting with the blunt end of the foil there is bulbous end to the handle called the pommel which makes it easier to keep hold of the foil. Just ahead of the handle is a cushioned guard which is designed to protect the hand from the opponent's blade. This entire structure must be properly secured to the blade. Next there is the blade itself which is divided into two areas, the forte and the foible. The blade must not be deformed or have been subjected to stress that might make it liable to fracture or snap as this would result in serious injury. The tip of the blade is capped with a blunt button which ensures that in striking the opponent the result is only a bruise, not a mortal wound.

It is also important to wear shoes which are suitable to allow quick and nimble footwork, and which afford adequate grip.

Equipment in itself is not enough to ensure complete safety, it is important that all fencers behave in a suitable way. This requires that all participants treat each other in a respectful manner, abide by the rules of the sport, and in even in the heat of a fight do not lose control, when losing or subject to an unwelcome judgement.

In fighting the two opponents face each other on a piste. Before fighting they should salute each other (bare headed) in the traditional way, as well as saluting the judges and president. They should then put on their masks (ensuring they don’t poke someone with their foil) and take up the on guard stance in readiness to fight. The president will ask if everyone is ready, and when everybody has confirmed that they are, the president will command them to fight.

The two opponents then advance and retreat in tempo, keeping "fencing distance" and trying to score points by hitting each other in the target area. In foil the target area is the torso, the back as far down as a waistcoat might go, the shoulders, and (worryingly enough) the area below the belly button extending downwards towards the crotch.

As soon as a fencer starts an attack they have right of way until their opponent has parried or beaten away the their blade, at which point right of way is surrendered . Thus the fencers move backwards and forward along the piste attacking, parrying, defending as they go. If one should score a hit on the other the judges will indicate this by holding up a hand. The president will command them to “Halt” and a point will be awarded if the president sees fit.

There are basic moves in fencing which everyone should know. The foil should be held with the thumb along the top surface of the handle in opposition with the forefinger. The remaining three fingers or aides assist in controlling the weapon.

Before fencing the fencer will take up a stance called on guard, in which the feet are at 90 degrees to each other and about two foot lengths apart. The front foot pointing toward the opponent the back foot serves as a base from which to drive forward. The knees should be bent, the front knee above the toes of the front foot. The torso is twisted so that sword arm and shoulder is pushed orientated towards the opponent, and the visibility of the target area is reduced. The back hand is held up in the air and backwards. This can help balance in the same way as a kangaroos tail, and also completes the delightful absurdity of the pose.

The on guard position can be taken up in either sixte or quarte. In quarte the sword arm is aligned with the sword shoulder, in sixte the sword arm is aligned with the other side of the target area. The sword should point towards the opponents face.

In moving forward the fencer will lift the toes of the front foot first, extend the foot forward and plant the heel on the ground first, the back foot following and being planted firmly down to maintain stability . In stepping back the action is reversed. The head should not bob, and the torso should be upright throughout.

In order to strike the opponent a fencer will lunge the sword arm will be rapidly extended by straightening the elbow (not powered by the shoulder) the toes of the front foot are lifted first and the foot is extended forward whilst the back leg extended like a spring in an explosive movement that will drive the point of the foil home. The back foot stays in position and should remain flat and not roll. Thus at the end of a lunge the fences has taken on a shape that is reminiscent of an extremely italicised lower case 

“h” 

with an angled line protruding from it aimed at the opponent’s target area.

The lunge can be defended by means of a parry in which the foil is moved to one side slightly to knock the opponents blade out of line with your target area. This in turn can be followed up with a direct riposte in which you strike back at the opponent, they may in turn parry and reply with a counter riposte

All very neat and tidy but all this is mere mechanics, the real art of fencing is in cunning, and in reading the opponent. It is possible to confuse the opponent by a number of techniques including feinting, disengaging the opponents blade, pretending to start a move using disruptive beats amongst other strategies. The aim is to read your opponent and confound them with the unexpected, forcing them to drop their defence or leave their target area open for your lunge.

It is not easy, it’s very hot and sweaty, and it makes you thirsty.