Definition
Fencing is the art and sport of a weapon by a set of more or less complex and fast movements. This unique Olympic sport has Spanish origins. It combines speed, coordination, intelligence and self-control, the key to success in this sport.
Fencing modalities
The fencing modalities can be distinguished into three, eppe, foil and sabre. (Wikipedia)
- Epee.
The modern épée derives from the 19th century Épée de Combat, (itself a derivative of the French small-sword), and is the largest and heaviest of the three weapons used in sport fencing. Épée is French for "sword".
As a thrusting weapon the épée is similar to a foil (compared to a sabre), but has a stiffer blade which is triangular in cross-section with a V-shaped groove called a fuller, has a larger bell guard, and is heavier. The technique however, is somewhat different, as there are no rules regarding priority and right of way. In addition, the entire body is a valid target area.
2. Foil
A foil is one of the three weapons used in the sport of fencing, all of which are metal. It is flexible, rectangular in cross section, and weighs under a pound. As with the épée, points are only scored by contact with the tip, which in electrically scored tournaments is capped with a spring-loaded button to signal a touch. A foil fencer's uniform features the lamé, a vest, electrically wired to record hits in such cases. It is the most commonly used weapon in competition.
In foil the valid target area includes the torso (including the lower part of the bib of the mask) and the groin. The head (except the lower neck portion of the mask), arms, and legs are considered off target. Touches made off target do not count for points, but do stop play.
3. Sabre
The sabre is one of the three weapons of modern fencing.The sabre differs from the other modern fencing weapons, the épée and foil, in that it is possible to score with the edge of the blade; for this reason, sabreur movements and attacks are very fast. For the other two weapons, valid touches are only scored using the point of the blade. Like foil, but unlike épée, sabre uses the convention of right-of-way to determine who acquires the touch.
The target area for sabre consists of the torso above the waist, as well as the arms and head (excluding both hands). When fencing with electric equipment, a manchette, or sabre cuff, is used in conjunction with the lamé and electrically conductive mask to ensure that the entire target area forms a single circuit.
Fencing Vocabulary
fencing, weapons, blade, handle, hilt, epée, sabre, foil, body wire, mask, target area...
Activities
Activity 1. Write down the modality that best fit with the drawing taking into account the target area.
Activity 2. Label the drawing with the specific fencing vocabulary.
Activity 3. Search on the Internet the basic Fencing techniques and create a short video in which you or your group explain the different techniques mentioned before.
