FENCING
A historical combat sport between two athletes (fencers) using one of three weapons: foil, �p�e, or sabre. It is a duel of strategy, speed, and precision. Touches are recorded by an electronic system connected to the weapons and vests (in foil and sabre). The concept of "right of way" (priority of attack) governs the foil and sabre disciplines, while the first-touch rule governs the �p�e.
Field/Court Dimensions
Rectangular (Strip): 14 meters long x 1.5 to 2 meters wide.
Touch the opponent with the tip or edge (depending on the weapon) while avoiding being touched, accumulating the highest number of valid 'touches'.
Domenico Angelo (Italy/England - 18th century, teaching standardization)
18th-19th Centuries (Sport Modernization)
Fencing has roots in sword duels since antiquity (Egypt, Greece). It became a formal discipline during the Renaissance in Italy and Spain. The modernization and standardization of techniques and safety equipment (like the mask) in the 18th and 19th centuries transformed it into a sport. The FIE was founded in 1913, and fencing was one of the founding sports of the modern Olympic Games in 1896.
FIE (International Fencing Federation)
Olympic Games, FIE World Championships, World Cups.
Fencing is a technical sport where distance and timing are crucial. It is distinguished by its three disciplines, each with a different valid target area and scoring rules: Foil (tip only, torso as valid area, right of way); �p�e (tip only, the entire body is valid, no right of way); Sabre (tip or edge, valid area from the waist up, right of way). A bout is played to 15 touches or three periods of three minutes with a one-minute break between them. Technical or safety violations result in penalties with cards.