Quick fencing lesson

Monday, March 27, 2000 | 8:28 a.m.

What is fencing? Two opponents compete on a 6-foot-by-40-foot strip. The movement is so fast that the touches are scored electronically.

The 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 your opponent scores that number on you. Fencers receive a point for every touch they inflict. Direct elimination matches consist of three three-minute periods.

The Weapons:

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 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, because that can be deceiving in a 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.

Source: U.S. Fencing Association