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What is Fencing?
Fencing has origins from ancient Egypt it spread across Europe during the 15-1800s and around the world with the invention of the modern Olympics. It was one of the 5 sports in the modern Olympics from the start and continues to be a closely followed sport today.
Fencing requires a combination of footwork, blade work, and strategy. Epee, foil and sabre all have their own disciplines (outlined on our home page) and require different precisions and approaches. This fast paced and tactical sport is perfect for training mental focus, physical endurance and both offensive and defensive manoeuvres.
The Three Disciplines
Foil
One of the oldest disciplines. Created as a safer alternative to rapier and smallsword fencing.
The Foil invented and follows the rules of convention where you must defend an attack before you can attack yourself and score a hit.
You can only score a hit within the torso from the neck to waist, originally to prevent harm to the face before the mask was invented
Epee
Invented in retaliation against the Foil's rules of convention to mimic real duelling practices.
The Epee has no rules of convention and continues to mimic these duelling practices.
With the whole body as the target this was the first weapon to be electrified, starting the practice that happened with all weapons.
Sabre
Derived from military swordsmanship it has developed into the fastest and most exciting discipline.
Sabre also follows the rules of convention and is unique as you are able to score with the length of the blade not just the point.
The target area is from the waist to the head and was the final weapon to be electrified in 1986.
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