Modern Fencing - A Basic History & Summary of Rules

Although all three of the modern disciplines are very different, they all share the same basic rules and principles. For example, regardless of weapon, fencing bouts are fenced to either five or fifteen touches (modern youth fencing also fence to ten touches). In addition, fencers of each weapon compete at tournaments in the same fashion. They begin with the pool round, where groups of six or seven fencers fence to five touches. Based on their pool performance, fencers are ranked for the direct elimination round. In this round, fencers fence fifteen touch bouts until everyone but one fencer is eliminated. In the sword fighting schools of the 18th century, the swordsmen practiced with foils, but dueled with heavier, more substantial blades. This dueling sword is the earliest ancestor of the epee as we know it. Modern epee fencing’s rules, similar to modern foil fencing’s rules, have not changed much since its origins. In duels during the Renaissance, fencers were allowed to...

From its historic sword fighting origins to its status as a modern Olympic staple, fencing is known for its elegance, its white hot intensity, and a rich culture that spans countries and even continents. Fencing consists of three distinct disciplines: foil, epee, and saber. Each discipline has its own set of rules and even uses its own visibly unique weapon. Most of today’s fencers specialize in only one discipline, but commonly begin fencing with foil. This is a tradition that dates back to the Italian Renaissance, where sword fighting schools hosted duels for the training of knights and the leisure of nobility. In order to prepare for these duels, swordsmen needed to practice in a non-lethal manner - this is where foil emerged, as a lightweight, blunt-tipped version of the dueling rapier. Opponents wore safety equipment that covered their torso and their head, early versions of the mask and lamé. Despite the emphasis on safety, early foil fencing,'s main purpose w...