About Fencing

Fencing involves three weapons: Foil, Epee, and Sabre. All three weapons are fenced and scored electronically, with both men and women competing in all three. Charles Sturt offers coaching and training in all three weapons.

Foil

Foil is a light weight point weapon. Points are scored by hitting or touching the point of the weapon on the area highlighted in the image below. To assist with the scoring of points, fencers wear special jackets called lamés that cover the target area and allow points to be recorded by the scoring equipment.

Epee

Epee is a heavier point weapon. Points are scored by hitting or touching the point of the epee on the area highlighted in the image below. Lamés are not required when fencing epee as the scoring equipment can record points without them.

Sabre

Sabre is a light weight, fast-paced, cutting weapon. Points are scored by making a cutting action with the edge of the weapon on the area highlighted in the image below. To assist with the scoring of points, fencers wear special jackets called lamés that cover the target area and allow points to be recorded by the scoring equipment.

Some fencers choose to train and compete in more than one weapon, while some choose to specialise in one only.

Images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons