The Foil

I simplified the explanation of each of these topics.  For an indepth study of each topic please consult the documentation section of this web site for the USFA rulebook, or the bibliography of books written by much more competent instructors and authors

Most fencers begin learning with the Foil.  All techniques learned with a Foil transferable to the other weapons, the reverse application does not necessarily hold true.  

Historically fencers would Foil their blades by placing a piece of cork, or bluting the blades to train with others for real duels.  Later, the specific weapon refered to as the foil was created with tolerances allowing the blunted tip to bend easily at first contact, then with increasing resistance, without piercing the opponent.  This mimics the feel a fencer receives when piercing a body with a live blade.  The blade penetrates easily at first, then as it drivers deeper into solid muscle, and possibly bone, offers greater and greater resistance.

Because training required rewarding of a correct touch, arriving in a vital area of the body, the target area limited itself to the torso of the body.  Since the arms and legs do not consist of vital areas, they remain excluded as 'invalid'.  Although no current fencer fences without a mask to protect the head, when the sport began, fencers never even considered the concept.  As a result, they excluded the head to prevent serious injury to your training partner. The historical target area remains The torso, not including the arms/hands, legs/feet, and mask.  Currently we also exclude the 'bib' or protective sheet extending from the mask down over the neck.  However, current FIE rules call for the inclusion of this area as valid target.  Electrical scoring systems do not yet allow for the implementation of this rule.

Further, the development of right-of-way stems from the rewarding of good dueling practices. Although a fencer might succeed by attacking an opponent already beginning an attack, good practice requires defending the attack before responding with an attack of your own.  You might get lucky and hit someone lunging at you first, but would you really consider a double touch a success?  Your still bleeding on the ground.

Written 9-12-99 by David K. Grant
free to distribute if :

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