The sport of fencing has a steep learning curve. Not only are the techniques unfamiliar to beginners, but the rules of fencing can be hard to grasp, and it does take some getting used to to fully understand what is happening on the strip. Especially during lessons, there might be times where your coach will explain a key concept to you, and you are realizing as the conversation happens, that you are understanding about 1/3 of what he is saying. In order to help with that confusion, let’s break down some core concepts in fencing.
Fencing Overview
If you have ever watched fencing on television or seen it in movies, you might look at it and be amazed at what was happening on screen but not understand what was being done. In the short version, fencing is a very complex sport with many rules and regulations that can make it very beginner-unfriendly with a steep learning curve. However, it is a sport that can be improved on with practice and discussion with other fencers.
Fencing as a sport is divided into three weapons, each with their own quirks that generate different philosophies in fencing styles. The weapons are foil, epee, and sabre. Foil is typically the beginner’s weapon as it is heavily focused on technique. However, that is not to say some fencers do not start in the other weapons; it is just a tradition that most fencers will start in foil before moving onto other weapons. Epee branched from foil as a more realistic approach to dueling; thus the differences between epee and foil. Sabre in fact came from calvary and the swordplay involved there.
With a long history, it is no surprise that fencing is as complex as it is today, and it is still evolving. The FIE (Fédération Internationale d’Escrime) or the International Fencing Federation, is the larger fencing body that oversees competitions, regulate new rules, and help fencing reach a larger body of people. The FIE is also divided into regional areas. For instance, US fencing is regulated by USA Fencing who organize national tournaments, maintain records of their domestic fencers, and organize teams for international tournaments such as the olympics.
While fencing is an old sport, new fencers are constantly changing the game. People who are at the top rarely stay there for long. It is one of the few sports where mental strategy can almost always beat physical fitness. It doesn’t matter if you’re in shape or older than your competition, so long as you are willing to fight to the last point, you can still win. It is part of a reason why fencing entices so many people in its community, and why it is a sport that is still alive today.