Fencing - Where to Start (OFC)

Choose Your Weapon Suit Up! Playing The Part

Basic Fencing Terms

~ On Guard ("En Garde")		~ Extend (Thrust)
	A phrase used to warn a fencer to assume the position preparatory to a duel		To straighten the arm and sword toward the opponent

~ Advance		~ Retreat
	A step forward		A step backward

~ Attack		~ Remise
	The first offensive movement either to make a hit or to provoke a defensive reaction		The renewal of an attack after the initial attack has failed

~ Counter-Attack		~ Beat
	An attack made against or into an attack initiated by an oppenent		A sharp controlled blow to the middle or 'weak' of the opponents blade, with the objective of provoking a reaction or creating an opening.

~ Parry		~ Reposte
	To prevent the opponents attack from landing by hitting the swords foible (near the tip) with your swords forte (near the handle)		A counter attack immediately following a parry

~ Lunge		~ Balestra
	A basic attack in fencing where one closes the distance between fencers by aggresively moving the front leg forward while the back leg stays stationary and straightens. (Click here for more details on the lunge)		A jump toward the opponent followed immediately by a lunge

~ Recover		~ Touche
	The return to the en garde position after a lunge		An acknowledgement of a successful hit, called out by the fencer who is hit

~ Dry Weapon		~ Electric Weapon
	A sword (foil, epee, or sabre) that is not equiped with wires to hook up to a scoring machine		A sword (foil, epee, or sabre) that is equipped with wire that will be initially hooked up to a scoring machine

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Choose Your Weapon(s)

There are three styles/weapons of fencing - Foil, Epee & Sabre

Epee:
	Non-Electric "Dry" Epee Weapon Electric Epee Weapon

Foil:
	Non-Electric "Dry" Foil Weapon Electric Foil Weapon

Sabre:
	Non-Electric "Dry" Sabre Weapon Electric Sabre Weapon

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Suit Up!

Mask: Head Protection

Foil & Epee Mask	Sabre Mask - Electric

Notes: A Mask is needed for ALL weapons. If using dry Sabre, mask shown above for Foil & Epee may be used.

Chest Protector: Chest Protection

Womens Chest Protector	Mens Chest Protector

Note: For women this is required for ALL weapons. Optional for men (but a darn good idea)

Plastron: Shoulder Protection for Weapon Arm

Plastron (right handed)	Plastron (left handed)

Note: Needed for ALL weapons

Body Cords: Insulated wire runs under jacket, connecting the Electric Sword to reel. Also connects to the lamé causing it to be conductive.

Foil & Sabre Body Cord	Epee Body Cord

Note: Needed for ALL weapons when fencing with electrics

Jacket: Protective covering of the upper body (from torso to neck)

Jacket (right handed)	Jacket (left handed)

Note: Needed for ALL weapons

Lame: Goes over the Jacket, body cord connects to Lame for electrical scoring

Foil Lame	Sabre Lame

Note: Needed for Foil & Sabre only. Epee only uses the jacket shown above.

Glove: Weapon Hand Protection

Glove(Right Handed)	Glove (Left Handed)

Note: Needed for ALL weapons

Knickers:

Knickers

Note: Needed for ALL weapons

Socks & Shoes:

Socks (knee high)	Shoes

Note: Needed for ALL weapons

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Playing The Part

Beginning of a Bout		End of a Bout
1. Salute Opponent		1. Salute Opponent
2. Salute Director		2. Salute Director
3. Salute Audience		3. Salute Audience
4. Engarde (no movement)		4. Shake Opponents hand
5. Fence!		with your ungloved hand

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