Fencing
What is fencing? A complete guide to an age-old sport
Fencing has been testing the swiftness, accuracy, and intelligence of sword fighters for hundreds of years.
When it’s time for a fencing match, all that matters is you, your sword, and the competition. The intense focus is one of the main reasons one-time Olympic medalist Miles Chamley-Watson loves the sport so much.
“What I love about fencing is it’s just you and your opponent, it’s so intimate,” he says. “It feels like nothing can stop you – that’s what drew me in.”
Miles Chamley-Watson at the 2019 World Fencing Championships in Budapest
© Spencer Gordon-Sand / Red Bull Content Pool
Fencing is a sport with quite a rich history, from its origins as a battlefield training drill to its inclusion in esteemed international athletic tournaments. If you’re curious about what fencing is and what it entails, read ahead for a comprehensive guide to this classic tradition.
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What is fencing?
Fencing is a centuries-old sport celebrating the art of swordplay. Two opponents compete in a sword fight match, known as a bout, with slender weapons and protective gear. As competitors fight to score 15 points first, their reflexes, balance, and tactical abilities are put to the test.
Fencing traditions date back to 14th-century or 15th-century Europe. In this setting, fencing served as a military combat exercise. The transition from fencing for self-defense purposes to a recreational activity began when Italian fencer Domenico Angelo opened a fencing academy in the 1760s.
Miles Chamley-Watson
© Catherine Aeppel / Red Bull Content Pool
Eventually, formal competitions emerged, and fencing became a prestigious sport with globally recognized tournaments. Depictions of fencing in popular culture have been prevalent throughout media history, from Gomez Addams of the Addams Family to the TV show ‘Gilmore Girls.’
The development of fencing as a sport
Fencing’s history and evolution has taken this art from combat practice to world-renowned athletic discipline. The first fencing competition was held in 1880 as part of the first Grand Military Tournament and Assault at Arms pageant. Within less than two decades, fencing was featured in some of the most noteworthy international athletic events.
Today, the World Fencing Championships are presented by the International Fencing Federation (FIE), the top governing organization in fencing. National fencing federations affiliated with the FIE organize and preside over local competitions leading up to the World Fencing Championships. For instance, USA Fencing oversees events such as the North American Cup.
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Three key types of fencing
Red Bull En Garde 2022 event in New York City
© Anthony Geathers / Red Bull Content Pool
1. Competitive fencing
There are three disciplines in the realm of competitive fencing, sometimes also referred to as sport fencing. The core differences between each category revolve around the type of sword used and regulations for how points can be achieved. The three types of competitive fencing are:
Men Foil Team event at the 2019 World Fencing Championships in Budapest
© Spencer Gordon-Sand / Red Bull Content Pool
2. Historical fencing
Some fencers have kept the original format of the sport alive with these ancient fencing styles.
3. Recreational fencing
You don’t have to compete to enjoy fencing. This sport can be a great recreational activity if you’ve ever been curious about sword fighting. It’s also a great cardio exercise if you’re looking to incorporate something different in your fencing routine. Whether you’re looking to enjoy fencing as a hobby or to get in shape, there are plenty of fencing schools and clubs to teach you.
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A guide to fencing equipment and scoring
Weapons
Miles Chamley-Watson & Alex Choupenitch during the Red Bull En Garde Event
© Rob Tringali / Red Bull Content Pool
All fencing swords are made from low-carbon steel to allow for flexibility, with a dull point to prevent injury. The core differences in the three main types of fencing weapons include:
Protective gear
Fencing safety equipment is an essential part of this sport’s uniform. All competitors are required to wear the below attire and fencing gear during a match.
Scoring systems
Olga Kharlan during the 2019 World Championships of Fencing in Budapest
© Spencer Gordon-Sand / Red Bull Content Pool
In fencing, one point is awarded each time a competitor scores a touch on their opponent. Fencers must wear an electrically conductive lamé, in addition to their protective fencing equipment, over the target area for their competing style. Fencers must also attach a body cord to their weapon so that, when the blade makes contact, the electronic scoring system records a point.
A brief overview of fencing rules
Fencing bouts consist of three total rounds that last three minutes each. The bout lasts until 15 points are scored. If all three rounds are completed and no competitor has reached 15 points yet, the fencer with the highest point total wins. In team fencing, this process is repeated with each pair of opposing team members across nine bouts, with the goal of reaching 45 points.
Fencers score points when they hit their designated target areas, and there are a number of ways they can lose points. This includes failing to salute their opponent and the referee at the start and finish of a bout. Improper footing or covering your target zone with your hand may also result in point deduction. There are also rules specific to each fencing type. For instance, all play must cease in foil fencing if someone strikes outside the target area.
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Three key fencing techniques
2 min
The sport of Fencing is lightning fast
The sport of Fencing is lightning fast
If you’re working on getting the basics down, there are a few helpful fencing techniques for beginners to learn.
Fencing is a time-honored tradition
Fencing has been testing the swiftness, accuracy, and intelligence of sword fighters for hundreds of years. The many disciplines of this sport have evolved through history into the modern competitive formats we know today. If you take part in this long-established custom, you’ll strengthen a number of physical and mental skills. As Chamley-Watson puts it, there’s nothing like drawing your sword and the world melting away as you focus on that first hit.