irish amateur fencing federation

There are three main weapons: foil, epee and sabre. Foil fencing is the basis of all modern fencing. The development of the foil was influenced by the Italian and French school. In the eighteenth century, the rapier was too heavy and cumbersome to wear in society. So, the blade was shortened and the hilt made smaller.

The lighter weapon had to be used with much skill and precision. Shortness and speed of movement became more important than strength, and the manipulators, the thumb and the first finger, were emphasised. When the duel declined and fencing came to be ragarded as a sport, both the French and the Italians developed their own foil play.

Style and grace are not what make a good fencer, even if they're pleasing to the eye. Remember fencing developed from duelling, a most serious business. The characteristics of fencing at foil are: the restriction of the target to the trunk of the body, the timing of the hit, and the distance from the target when the hit is made.

The point of the weapon must land on the trunk of the body. In foil play, the first person to hit five times is the winner. On guard! This is the position from which you can either attack or defend. It is a balanced position in which one should be able to pick the feet up and put them down without moving the centre of gravity. The lunge is the basis of attack; it is the way of moving the body towards your opponent at a practical distance so that you are able to hit your opponent with sufficient force. It is learned early and is practised a lot.

WHAT EQUIPMENT DO I NEED? There are two main sizes of a foil: a size 5 for adults and a size 3 for younger fencers. Before using a foil, you should rub the blade on the sole of your shoe several times. This causes friction and warms the blade - a warmed blade is less likely to break. The thumb and the index finger, not the wrist, control the blade. They control lateral, circular and semi-circular movements. The other fingers are relaxed and are called aids. They give assistance by opening and closing the handle. There should be no gap between the thumb and the handle.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR? So, what is the proper attire for the fencer? Shoes should be comfortable and roomy as feet tend to swell after a lot of activity. Fencing is one of the safest sports because of the amount of protective clothing used. Clothing should allow free movement under the armpits and also in the legs.

The jacket should be of cotton and zip up at the rear. Ladies' jackets allow breast protectors to be added. When buying, be sure that the jacket is loose under the armpits, across the back, and long enough in the arms and body. Breeches should fasten below the knees and on the opposite side to the fencing arm. They should also be loose in the legs so that they allow the fencer unrestricted movement when lunging. Gloves should be of soft white leather and have light foam padding. It is important to try gloves on before buying. Masks are very important. They should be comfortable and not wobble on the head. The mesh should be taken care of and should be examined regularly, especially if someone hits its hard.