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Fencing Academy of Boston - Come & Learn to Fence.

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Discover the world of Fencing at our premier fencing club in Boston! We invite you to register for a FREE trial class and experience the thrill of this timeless sport.

At our fencing club, you can explore the art of fencing with three distinct weapons: foil, saber, and epeé. Each weapon brings its unique rules, strategies, and target areas, making the sport all the more engaging. The primary objective in fencing is to score a point or touch by hitting your opponent's target with your weapon before they can score on you.

Many fencers find themselves naturally drawn to one weapon, developing a preference and a high level of proficiency. However, the beauty of fencing lies in the opportunity to embrace the challenge and diversion of trying out different weapons. You might even find yourself developing competence in a second weapon. And for the rare few, they become experts in all three!

Come join us at our fencing club in Boston, and embark on your fencing journey. Sign up for a FREE trial class today and immerse yourself in the world of foil, saber, and epeé. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced fencer, there's something for everyone in this thrilling sport!

General conduct of play:

A fencing bout takes place on what is called a "strip" or "piste", about 14 meters long and 2 meters wide. Two fencers' weapons are each wired by a cord through their sleeve to an electric scoring machine paired with their opponent, and they next test that their weapons and cords are functioning correctly by touching their opponent on their target, a metallic garment called a lamé (except in the case that epeéists, who do not wear a lamé, test by touching the point to the guard of their opponent's weapon). They return to their respective starting lines 4 meters apart, salute their opponent, put on their mask, and get in the en garde position, facing their opponent and ready to fence. The referee then calls the beginning of the bout. Fencers remain facing the direction of their opponent and are not to leave the strip during the bout.

The referee halts play when an action is completed, and determines each time which fencer won a touch until a winner is determined. In regular/preliminary competition between two fencers, the bout continues until one fencer has scored five touches, and in the direct elimination (DE) round of a tournament, it can go to 15 points, though the DE round can vary, depending on age classification of a competition or in team events. When the bout is over, both fencers return to their starting lines, remove their masks, salute each other, and approach to shake hands. Good sportsmanship maintains the dignity of the sport.

Foil

Traditionally, the foil was the weapon duelists used to train. Due to its small target area and strict rules, if a student starts with foil, it is easier to learn the techniques and strategies of the saber or epeé than it is to try foil after being inducted in either of them. A touch with a foil is scored with the point of the weapon, and the target, illustrated in blue, is the torso. Foil fencing is a balance of offensive and defensive strategies, and adheres to rules of right-of-way. Right-of-way rules determine which fencer's maneuver had priority of their opponent's in the case of both making a hit and triggering the scoring machine simultaneously. For example, a defensive block and response hit, called a "parry-riposte," takes priority over a direct attack. In foil, if the fencer with priority hits their opponent outside the target area (off-target), no point is awarded, even if the other fencer has hit them on-target. The action is halted and the fencers resume the bout at the place on the strip where they halted.

Saber

In saber, fencers can score when any part of their blade hits the valid target area, indicated on the illustration in blue. While foil and epeé require thrusting the blade to score with the point, saber fencers usually "cut" or "slash" with the blade against the opponent's head, arms, or body above the waist. (Modern saber fencing is supposed to have been derived from the technique used in cavalry battles in the Napoleonic Era.) Like foil, saber fencing also adheres to right-of-way rules to determine which fencer scored a touch, but follows a more aggressive attack strategy than the foil. Simultaneous attacks are common, and neither fencer is awarded a point in that case, but unlike foil, in saber fencing, an off-target hit for the fencer with right-of-way is null, and doesn't halt the action of the bout. Movement is rapid and bouts are short. You only have 170 milliseconds to get in that riposte!

Saber fencing is what children naturally emulate, clashing pretend sword blades against one another, imagining themselves to be pirates, knights, warrior princesses or Jedis.

Epeé

( Pronounced: EP-ay) Epeé fencers must score with the point of the weapon against any part of the opponent's body, hands and feet included, show in blue in the illustration. Epeé was the dueling weapon, and most duels were fought to "first blood," so a nick of the hand or leg would have been a victory, with little need to hit a vital organ. As such, there are no right-of-way rules in epeé fencing. The strategy is a patient and psychological waiting game to strike while avoiding being hit, as simultaneous touches result in both players gaining a point. The defense has the big advantage and the bouts tend to be involved mental games while each fencer feints attacks to try to draw their opponent into an error; attacking straight ahead is not the wisest course in epeé.

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What is Fencing? - Fencing Academy of Boston

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An Overview of FencingFencing is the recreational sport of swordplay that can be enjoyed by people of any age, and offers a multitude of benefits.

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At this web page you can discover what weapon is better for you

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Types of Weapons and their differences

Tournament requirement

Before we go more in detail into Fencing, there are some terms that need to be explained.

FIE (Federate International Escrime) is a governing board for the fencing sport. All international tournaments require fencers to use FIE-approved equipment. It is the highest standard in fencing. FIE-approved equipment usually carries an FIE logo. USA local or national tournaments do NOT require FIE fencing equipment. The following list of items that may have FIE versions: masks, jackets, knickers, underarm protectors, saber gloves and blades. There are no FIE socks, shoes or electrical jackets (Lames) because they do not protect a life-threatening part of the body.

CE is a standard for anything sold to the European Community. This standard is NOT required in the USA but it serves as a good reference for safety of your equipment.

Please note that fencing is an intensive sport that involves a potential risk of personal injury. Fencers are responsible to check all fencing equipment for safety every time before using it. Never fence with or against a broken blade or weapon. Always wear all protective equipment when you fence. A practice foil or epee MUST carry a protective rubber tip! We always recommend that fencers wear equipment that meets the highest standards financially allowed.

There are 3 types of weapons in fencing: Foil, Epee and Sabre.

Foil - This is the smallest weapon of all. Most fencers start with a foil. The target area for foil is upper body only EXCLUDING arm and neck. Foil fencers must wear a metallic vest called a lame for target area. A lame does not protect fencers but it serves as a target area. Some foil blades are FIE-approved. The FIE-approved blades are usually made from a type of high-end stainless steel metal called Maragine. The FIE foil blades are a little heavier and more expensive but they provide a substantial longer life span than the non-FIE blades. Foil masks were previously the same as the epee masks. As of Aug 1 st, 2011, the United States Fencing Association adopted the new rule of requiring a conductive bib on the foil mask for all national level and open ROC tournaments. However, the local tournaments may or may not require the conductive bib for foil fencing. Foil is the most popular fencing sport in the U.S. compared to epee and sabre. FIE foil blades are NOT required in U.S. local or national tournaments but are required for all international tournaments.

Epee - Epee has a bigger guard compared to foil. The blade on the epee weapon is also wider, thicker, and heavier. The target area is from head to toe. Some epee blades are FIE approved. The FIE approved blades are usually made from a type of high-end stainless steel metal called Maragine. The FIE blades are a little heavier and more expensive but they provide a substantial longer life span than the non-FIE blades. Epee blades are usually more expensive than the foil or saber blades. FIE epee blades are NOT required in U.S. local or national tournaments but are required for all international tournaments.

Sabre - Sabre differs from foil and epee in the action of touch. There is much more slashing in sabre fencing while foil and epee fencers mainly pokes the opponents. The target area for sabre is any place above the waistline including arms and head. Sabre fencers must wear an electrical jacket (called a lame) for target area. Some sabre blades are FIE approved. The FIE approved blades are usually made from a type of high-end stainless steel metal called Maragine. The FIE blades are a little heavier and more expensive but they provide a substantial longer life span than the non-FIE blades. FIE blades however are required for international tournaments as of 2022. The replacement blades for sabre are also the cheapest among the three.

Regardless of which weapon you practice, the protective equipment for all three weapons is the same: masks, jackets, underarm protectors/plastrons, knickers, gloves, socks, and shoes.

Masks - In terms of protection, there are two major categories: FIE and Non-FIE. FIE masks provide 1600 Newton pressure test protection on the bib (protection for throat). Non-FIE usually provides 350 Newton. (Our BG basic masks provide 400-1000 Newton protection). The mesh for both FIE and non-FIE masks MUST pass the same 12 kg punch test for safety. The FIE masks mesh is required to use high grade stainless steel. The non-FIE masks usually use regular steel.

Jackets and Knickers - There are FIE and non-FIE jackets and knickers as well. The FIE jackets and knickers pass the 800 Newton pressure test and the non-FIE jackets and knickers are usually 350 Newton. (BG has a style that withstands 512 Newton, which is right in the middle in terms of protection.) The most basic jackets are usually made from thick white cotton. As a natural fabric, cotton breathes better than synthetics. However, the cotton may shrink a little after washing and it is less flexible than the synthetic models. In addition, some jackets are back zippered and some are front zippered. The back zippered jackets are less expensive, but it is harder to put on by yourself. The front zippered jacket is usually a preferred choice among fencers.

Underarm Protector/Plastron - This is a half jacket that is worn inside the regular jacket. It is either FIE (800 Newton protection) or non-FIE (usually 350 Newton protection). This layer of protection is required for all U.S. tournaments.

Chest protectors - The chest protectors are optional for men/boy but are required for women/girl in all tournaments. They are usually made of hard plastic.

Gloves - At least one fencing glove is required, which is usually for the hand that holds the weapon.

Socks - All tournaments require fencers to wear socks that cover up to the knees.

Shoes - All sneakers can be used as fencing shoes, however, fencing shoes usually come with enhancements specifically designed for the movement in fencing.

Tournament requirement

If you plan to compete in a fencing tournament, you should have the following equipment:

Your protective equipment includes a fencing jacket, fencing knickers, fencing underarm protector, fencing mask, chest protector (for female only), fencing glove, and fencing socks (long socks).

Your weapon: Two (2) working weapons and two (2) body cord (plus two [2] mask cords if you fence saber or foil with conductive bib only)

Blade size. If you are 10 years old competing in a tournament, you must use shorter blades on your weapon (#2 blade). The regular adult blade length is #5. If you are 11 years old, you cannot compete in Y10 anymore. The youngest age group that you can compete in is Y12, which you can use up to #5 blade.

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Why Fencing is the Best Sport | Your Sport

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Fencing Rules: How To Fence | Rules of Sport

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The sport known as fencing normally refers to Olympic fencing, with classical fencing (which is more martial arts based) and historical fencing other variants of the sport. In this article we shall concern ourselves with the Olympic variety and its three branches, foil, sabre and epée, the sport also known as competitive fencing for a little added confusion!