Never wave
swords about not point a weapon at someone who is not wearing
a mask.
When holding
a sword, keep the point down towards the floor.
Do not
run while holding a weapon by the handle.
Always
hold it by the point when walking or running.
If you
need two hands to don your mask put your foil down first.
Make sure
that your foil has a covering over the point and that the weapon
is not broken or badly bent near the tip.
How
to Fence Safely.
Wear the
proper clothing (mask,
under
plastron, jacket,
glove,
trainers and long
trousers) and make sure your clothing is in good condition
(no holes in jacket, bib fixed properly to mask, jacket fully
done up at the collar, shoe laces not trailing on the ground).
Make sure
your opponent is also safe.
Never lose
your temper - it's only a game.
Obey the
Referee (President). Don't start fencing till s/he says "Play"
and stop when s/he says "Halt".
If you
are fencing without a Referee, make sure you are both ready
before starting.
Never turn
your back on your opponent. Remember there is a gap at the back
between your mask and collar which is not protected.
Don't run
into your opponent or jostle him. Body contact is not allowed.
Keep you
non-sword hand out of the way.
Holding
the bib of your mask or bringing your hand in front of the target
is not allowed. It is also extremely painful to be hit on unprotected
fingers.
Learn to
make the hits firm but with a light touch. You are not trying
to run your opponent through.
The
Principles of Fencing with the Foil
Fencing takes
place on a specially marked out strip (the
piste) and a bout, or fight, consists of two fencers , in
combat, trying to score a set number of hits in order to win.
Hits must be made with the point of the sword. The idea is to
hit the opponent on the target without being hit. The first fencer
to score the required number of hits (usually five) is the winner
of the bout. There is a time limit for the fencing in each bout.
The
Target Area
At the front,
the trunk excluding the arms, legs and head but including the
V of the jacket covering the groin. The bib of the mask is not
part of the target. At the back, the target
extends down a line joining the top of the hips.
Fencing
Etiquette
A fencing
bout is governed by rules which are interpreted by a Referee or
President assisted by four judges (unless electrical equipment
is in use which records hits). Two judges watch each of the fencers.
The President gives the orders ("Play" and "Halt"),
says what fencing moves s/he saw take place and asks the judges
whether a hit occurred. They may answer "Yes", "Yes
but off target", "No" or " Abstain" (don't
know). In deciding whether a hit occurred, each of the two judges
has one vote and the President one and a half. Thus if both judges
say "Yes" and the President thinks "No" his
is outvoted and he has to award a hit. If one judge says "Yes",
the other "Abstain" and the President says "No",
there is not hit.
The most important
rule in fencing foil is that the attack must be made by extending
and straightening the sword-arm so that the weapon threatens the
target.(Remember the lunge starts with a straightening of the
arm before the feet move). This gives the attacker the
"right of way". The person attacked must then defend
him/herself. He is not allowed just to simply hit back. The attacker
loses the right of way if s/he bend his/her arm again, or if s/he
stops threatening the target, or if his/her opponent parried or
beats his blade so that it is no longer threatening the target.
A bout should look like a backwards and forwards exchange of attacks
and parries, not like two bulls charging at each other.
Politeness
in fencing is important. Before a bout or a lesson a fencer should
salute his/her opponent (or coach) as well as the President and
judges. At the end of the lesson (or bout) the fencer should salute
the opponent, remove his/her mask and place it under his sword-arm,
and should shake hands with the opponent using the non-sword hand.
