Jaw-dropping swordplay and charged up entertainment are not just found in the latest pirate epic on the silver screen. Fencing is a sport that offers all the thrills of swordplay from days of yore, without the macabre outcomes. The use of swords in battle goes back to the ancient eras, and by the middle ages, it had become particularly popular among the English gentry. Fencing grew out of brute swordplay into a sport, and by the middle ages, rules began to govern the sport. Fencing equipment evolved right alongside the sport itself.

The Olympic governing body added an event for the foil to the roster of Olympic events in 1896. The foil is the fencing sword used most commonly in the sport, both by experienced and beginners alike. The foil began as a training tool in the 1700s, something beginners used before taking up a small sword. The torso of the body is the typical target for one using a foil. In later year, the Olympic committed added events to the fencing competition, including the epee and the saber. The epee is similar to the foil in that you score with the point of the weapon, though it is heavier with a three-sided, stiffer blade. When engaging with the epee, the target area is not restricted to the torso.  In fact, hits to the arm are the norm and a hit to the foot is quite dramatic.

The saber excels at cutting and thrusting, which is one of the reasons that competitors can use the edge of the blade to earn what are considered valid touches in competition. In the case of the foil and the epee, where the point lands determines a valid touch.

Women’s saber fencing was introduced in 2004, and epee prior to that in 1996. One goes back to 1924 to find the first women’s foil fencing showcased as an event.  Individual and team events comprise the competition.

Fencing gear is not just comprised of the weapons; protective clothing is vital in preventing injury. One should never fence without appropriate gear, since serious injury could otherwise occur. Gear typically used in practice and competition includes chest protector for women, gloves, jacket, mask, under-arm protector, fencing shoes, socks, and pants.

Fencing is an exciting competitive sport that has a long and storied past. By participating in this sport, you get a taste of history and tradition. You could be a participant in the middle of the action, or you could just be a fascinated observer; in any case, there is so much to enjoy about the exciting sport of fencing.