Fencing
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Fencing is a sport that involves two people with swords. The aim is to score hits. There is also a referee.
Contents |
[edit] Weapons
[edit] Foil
The foil is a light and flexible weapon, originally developed in mid 17th century as a training weapon. 'Hits' can only be scored by hitting the valid target area with the point of the sword. The target area is the torso.
[edit] Épée
The épée is the heaviest of the three weapons. To score a hit, the push-button on the end of the weapon must remain fully down for 2-10 milliseconds, and must arrive with a force of at least 7.35 newtons.
[edit] Sabre
The sabre is the "cutting" weapon, with a curved guard and a triangular blade. However, in modern electric scoring, a touch with any part of the sabre, (point, flat or edge, as long as it is on target) will register a hit. The target area in sabre is everything from the waist up, except for the hands.
[edit] Uniform
Fencers wear a uniform to avoid injury. They wear mask of black mesh with a bib. Also, a jacket, short pants and a sort of half-a-shirt (called a underarm protector or plastron), all of white fabric. They must also wear socks that cover their legs. Women must wear a chest protector. These are collectively called "whites."
[edit] External links
- Fédération Internationale d'Escrime The organisation responsible for all international fencing
- A fencing equipment supplier, with pictures and videos
