About Fencing

Rules and Weapons

A short history, and an overview of the rules and weapons in fencing. Read.

Sports Benefits

Health is the reason for exercise, not sports. Find out how sports prepare you for life. Read.

Why Fencing?

Our club members chime in about why they like fencing. Read.

Learn more…

A list of websites with more information about fencing. Read.

Fencing at a glance:

Benefits

Speed, endurance, agility, discipline and tactical thinking.

Is fencing different from dueling?

In a duel, people used to fight until “first blood” with a sword as sharp as a kitchen knife.

In Olympic fencing, you fence to 15 points. You use a flexible blade, with a button at the tip. All fencers wear protective gear, including jackets, gloves and masks.

What does fencing look like?

Fencing is more mobile and athletic than the “classical” fencing style everybody knows from TV and the movies.

Fencing has running moves, “flicks” where you bend the blade over someone’s shoulder, and sometimes lots of (happy) screaming.

Does fencing hurt?

Not if you do it right! Although fencing is a martial art it is very safe. We are strict about using full safety equipment. We also do stretching and warm-ups to prevent strains and twists.

Is fencing safe?

The National Athletic Trainers' Association places the low injury rate for fencing as comparable to tennis, golf and rowing, and far below soccer, basketball and football.

Fact!

Fencing has been in every Olympics, starting with the first in 1896. Mr. Pierre de Coubertin, creator of the modern Olympics, was a fencer.

Download our About Fencing Overview (PDF 172k).

What is Fencing?

Foil

Epee

Sabre

(Images from Blade Fencing!)

Fencing is the Olympic sport of sword-fighting that teaches discipline, dexterity and endurance. You use footwork and handwork to score touches on your opponent with the tip of your blade. There are three weapons in fencing: the Foil, Épeé and Sabre.

Who fences?

America’s fencing champions come from all walks of life — rich, poor, black, white, male, female, young, old.

Why fence?

Endurance & Dexterity — You will learn footwork, lunges, and escape moves. Your hand must be controlled and dexterous.

Speed — To score, you must be faster than your opponent!

Tactics and strategy — You will learn how to defend against attacks, and how to penetrate your opponent’s defenses.

Honor — You must be gracious when you win, and learn from your losses. You grow to appreciate what each fencer teaches you.

Confidence — Put it all together, and you really learn what you can do!

How does fencing reward you?

Health — Fencing builds leg strength and endurance, improves posture, and promotes cardio-vascular conditioning.

Fun — Fencing (and your opponents) never stops challenging you, so you will gain more satisfaction with each skill mastered.

Competition — The end-goal of Fencing is to win tournaments locally, nationally, and (representing the United States) internationally.

College — There are many meaningful recruitment and scholarship opportunities for fencing. It also looks good on an application.

Where can you learn more?

Join our fencing classes! You will learn a lot about this fascinating and richly historical sport. You can also find books on fencing at your local library!