The Sport of Fencing
Fencing is Not the Act of Putting Together a Fence
When you think about sword fighting, images of knights on the battlefield probably come to mind. However, the brute force fighting on the battlefields is a far cry from the true art form of sword play known as fencing. But what exactly is fencing and how do you go about getting started?
The Sport of Fencing
Fencing is indeed a sport -- in fact, it’s an Olympic event. In the sport of fencing, bulky broadswords are not used. Rather the tools of the sport are slender, more sophisticated instruments. The foil, the epee and the saber are the three weapons used in this sport. Fencers usually choose the one weapon that they prefer and then concentrate on developing their skills with that one weapon.
The Game
A bout of fencing will usually take place on a long narrow strip measuring about fourteen meters long and two meters wide. The fencers begin by taking position on the “on guard” lines and when the director calls “Fence!” the fencers begin their combat.
Getting Started
If you’re interested in fencing, you should see what local classes are available. Fencing is a cultural sport that many are sure to enjoy.