My last fencing post was a personal story about how and why I started taking fencing lessons. This post will be more specific about Fencing itself. I want to start by saying that when I say fencing, I am referring to Traditional Fencing. I’ll be more specific about what "traditional" means in another post, but for now, just consider traditional fencing to be primarily focused on the inherited art and science of replicating ideal behaviors in a real sword fight in a way that is both pragmatic and relatable to most people.

With that out of the way, check out the video below!

In this video, we are foil fencing at the Missouri State University Fencing Club. The Foil is the fundamental teaching weapon of fencing and is the weapon every traditional fencer starts with. The Foil teaches smart behavior, distance, timing, technique, and control. When fencers start their fencing journey with the foil, they are also conditioning themselves for learning the epee and saber as well, because the Foil builds the foundation of good fencing. I want to drive home the importance of foil because many post-modern schools just let new fencers pick up any weapon without even being aware of their original purpose.

The conventions of foil fencing

The Foil is a conventional weapon. This means that there are special rules that foil fencers need to follow. These rules were put in place by fencing masters long ago because they highlight logical behaviors and truths of a real sword fight.

Here are the conventions:

• Touches can only be scored with the point of the weapon. The French foil was designed to resemble the small-sword, the dueling weapon of the 18th century. The Italian foil was designed to resemble the rapier, the dueling weapon of the 17th century. Both the small-sword and the rapier had no edges and their attacks were delivered via thrusts instead of cuts. The MSU Fencing Club follows the French School of Fencing which prizes strategy and economy of motion over speed, strength, and aggression.


• The valid target area for foil is the trunk of the body (sorry, guys, the groin is a valid target). The legs, arms, and head/fencing mask are off-target. The portion of the the fencing mask called the bib--which protects the neck--is also off target. Attacks reaching under the bib are considered valid.The restricted target area helps to promote point control.


• The Fencer who extends their sword arm first, while at the same time pointing their blade's point at the opposing fencer’s target area, becomes the attacker and is given “priority.” Priority means a fencer has a recognized advantage over their opponent, and is designated as the attacker. The fencer with the bent arm naturally becomes the defender. Bent arm attacks are not recognized as valid attacks, because they offer distinct advantages to one's opponent. The straight arm is important because it gives the attacking fencer their longest possible reach and provides the most protection from direct counterattacks. The best way to stop a valid attack is for the defending fencer to deflect the attacker’s blade with a parry before following up with their own counterattack. Attacking after making a successful parry is called a riposte. Fencers attack, parry, and riposte until a valid touch is made.

That's Foil fencing in a nutshell. I’m looking forward to sharing more on Steemit as my time here goes on.

Have a good one, friends!

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Many thanks to Nick Evangelista for reviewing this post and providing feedback! You can see what he's all about here.

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