Fencing With Coach Sam
A fun and unique way to improve your physical and mental ability!
What is Fencing?
Fencing is a sport that is intensely individualistic, but also can offer the friendship and support of a team. It demands the consideration and respect of yourself and others. It is physically demanding and requires a lot of thought and strategy, as Fencing is often described as "physical chess." Above all else, it's a lot of fun!
The Three Unique Weapons
Sabre
Sabre fencing is the fastest paced out of all of the weapons. The target area is designated by the grey jacket, known as a lamé. Sabre fencers score points by landing attacks anywhere above the waist.
Epee
Epee is slower paced and very strategic, as the entire body is the target area. Epee fencers can find a variety of creative ways to score touches with such a variety of places to land their attacks.
Foil
Foil is very volatile, and can change speeds very quickly. It is a very precise fighting-style, as the lamé covers the torso only. Because of this, foil has the smallest target zone.
How it All Works
Fencing is conducted on a "strip," which is a long rectangle that the two participants will move across as they fence. This is a sport of fast reflexes and precision, and many points are hard to recognize with just our eyes with the weapons moving so quickly. In order to determine when points are scored, fencers use a series of wires and electronics that attach them to a scoreboard. When they land a successful attack, a light will blink and a bell will go off, indicating that someone has scored. They will continue fencing until one individual has scored enough points to win the bout, after which both fencers salute and shake hands.