Young Reporter- Fencing Finesse- Zahra Asif Burntwood School

History

Fencing sparked at a time when swordsmanship was critical for survival in battles and duels, but it later spread throughout Europe in countries such as Italy and Spain throughout the 15th and 16th centuries. Furthermore, during the Renaissance, prominent instructors such as Fiore dei Liberi and Joachim Meyer founded fencing schools and wrote fencing tactics. Then fencing thrived in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries, with numerous schools and styles emerging. The French school of fencing, influenced by masters such as François Dancie and Camille Prévost, was particularly significant. Fencing rules and equipment were regulated during the nineteenth century, and they were introduced into the modern Olympic Games in 1896. Later, fencing sports such as foil and sabre were developed, with épée following later. Fencing continues to be popular today, having gained the hearts of people of all ages and backgrounds.

Fencers Feedback

An example of a young teenager who was touched by the compelling and poignant sport is Zeina Okasha, who has played many sports for around a decade or ever since she ‘bloomed’ but has  ‘always returned to her home, fencing’. Zeina emphasizes how confidence is crucial and describes it as ‘the cement of your ground’, This is because since your opponent doesn't know your level, the only way they can scrutinize you is through your body language’. This is why she ‘Confidence is the façade that you enclose all your fears beneath’. In Zeina's opinion, the benefits of fencing include improving your memory and attention over time, as she concludes, ‘Fencing is the enzyme that catalyses your attention and improves brain health’. She enjoys the ultimate satisfaction from a point and the boost of serotonin that fills her blood and appreciates the common belief fencers have, which is ‘quitters never win, and winners never quit’. Nonetheless, Zeina Okasha welcomes anyone enriched with confidence, determination and good teamwork skills to the field of pure joy and satisfaction.

Guard yourself against fear and distress of harm as the fencing protective gear will ensure every inch of your body is guarded with a shield.

Equipment for protection includes...

• Fencing Mask: A protective mask covering the face and head. It features a metal mesh or solid material to shield the wearer's eyes and head from hits.
• Jacket: A thick, padded jacket is worn to protect the torso and arms. It's usually made of tough fabric, such as cotton or nylon, and is typically filled with padding or Kevlar.
• Underarm protector, this is worn beneath the jacket on the fencing arm side. It provides additional padding and protection for the armpit and upper arm.
• Glove: A specialized glove worn on the fencing hand (the dominant hand). It's reinforced on the inside to protect the fingers and palm from hits.
• Fencing Foil, Épée, or Sabre: Depending on the fencing discipline, fencers use different types of weapons:
• Foil: A lightweight, flexible weapon with a small, rectangular blade used for thrusting attacks. It has a blunt tip for safety.
• Épée: A heavier weapon with a larger, triangular blade used for thrusting attacks. It has a button at the tip that depresses to register a touch.
• Sabre: A light, curved weapon with a flat blade used for cutting and thrusting attacks. It has a button at the tip and along the cutting edge for scoring.
• Fencing Lame: A metallic vest worn over the jacket in foil and saber fencing. It's connected to a scoring system and registers valid touches.
• Fencing Shoes: Specialized shoes with flat soles and reinforced heels for better stability on the fencing strip.
• Body Cords: Electrical cords that connect the weapon to the scoring system. They transmit signals when a valid touch is made!
• Mask Cord: An electrical cord that connects the mask to the scoring system. It registers hits to the mask during saber fencing.
• Scoring Apparatus: A device connected to the fencing strip that records valid touches. It's used in sync with body cords and mask cords to determine scoring.

These are your essential guardian angels that will ensure not even a hair is at risk of harm!

Rules of Fencing

• The scoring system: Scores are only valid if they are made in certain areas; however, this can differ for each weapon  (foil, épée, sabre).
• Target areas: Foil includes the Torso, both front and back, but excludes arms, neck, and head. In Épée, the entire body is considered a valid target area, including the head, torso, arms, and legs. Then, in Sabre, the target areas include the entire body above the waist. In sabre hits made with cutting edge is valid while hits with the back edge are not counted.
• Priority rules: In foil and sabre, these rules determine which fencer has the right of way to score a touch during an attack.
• Penalties: Fencers receive these due to crossing boundaries of the strip, using improper equipment or displaying unsportsmanlike behaviour.

Etiquette in Fencing

1. Saluting: Fencers must salute each other and the referee before and after a bout as a sign of respect.
2. Referee Respect: Fencers must respect the decisions of the referee, refraining from arguing or disputing calls.
3. Respect for opponents: Fencers must be respectful to their opponents both on and off the strip.
4. Sportsmanship: Accepting defeat graciously or  acknowledging good hits are a few examples of good sportsmanship seen in fencing
5. Safety: This is paramount, as fencers must ensure their equipment is on properly and maintained to prevent injuries.

Now that we have built the foundation for your understanding of fencing by explaining the rules, etiquette, experiences, and history, I anticipate seeing your heart grow towards this intricate sport played by many generations, as after all, 'Fencing  is the sport in which you make friends and stab them’.