Queens University Fencing - About
Fencing
If, by some chance, you've managed to find your way here without having the slightest clue what fencing is, then a brief explanation is in order. Fencing is the art of sword-fighting. It was used as a safe method to practice for duelling and, to a lesser extent war. Modern fencing is an Olympic sport and is practised at all levels; from novice to international.
Once upon a time this page contained a rather lengthy section on the history and evolution of fencing and swordfighting as a sport. But whilst that's fine for finding out how fencing as it is today originated, it doesn't actually tell you much about what fencing is actually like, and we have more than enough links on the links page to sites with information on the history of fencing and historical styles anyway. So, what can be said about fencing? First and foremost, and the be all and end all really, is that it's fun! I've never known anyone to have a go and then say they didn't enjoy it. In some places there may be a problem with the company, or the venue, but at the end of the day, when all else is stripped away and it comes down to putting on a mask, picking up a blade and going full tilt against your opponent, nothing else quite matches it. And the best way to find out is to try it.
Rules - A Brief Overview
Fencing consists of three different types of sword, the Foil, the Epee and the Sabre. Each has it's own style of fencing and each has it's own slightly differing rules which are explained briefly here.
Starting with the simple weapon first (with regard to rules anyway). The epee. Hit the other person with the tip of the epee and avoid being hit in return. The entire body is a target area, and there is no right of way rule (See Below). Foil and Sabre are a little more elaborate in that they have restricted target areas and rules governing who takes precedence in the case of simultaneous hits. The restricted target areas were historically put in place to encourage accuracy for killing and critically wounding or disabling blows - in Foil, a thrusting only weapon, this meant concentrating on the torso where there was a good chance of piercing a vital organ, with Sabre this meant concentrating on areas above the waist. Since the Sabre originated as a cavalry weapon, hitting a persons legs was considered of no real use in a true battle since they're sitting on a horse and not slowed by the wound. The concept of "right of attack" is introduced to determine when a fencer can or cannot start his/her attack and is the rule mentioned above that decides who gets the point in the case of simultaneous hits. To score a point, an accurate attack has to be combined with the right of way. This will be properly explained to you when you start fencing, but below is a brief attempt at an explanation of the right of way rule.
Right of Way
The rule of right of way was established (in modern sport fencing, in historical training it was used for a slightly different purpose) to resolve the problem of simultaneous hits in Foil and Sabre fencing. A fencer gains the right of way by threatening the other fencer with the blade, either by initiating attack or by establishing "point in line" before the opponent attacks. Right of way ends when an attack misses, falls short, is broken off, or is deflected away from the target (parried) by the defender. After parrying an attack, the defender can begin a riposte (counter attack) before the opponent recovers. This constitutes a new attack and established right of way for the former defender. If the defender doesn't riposte, the situation is up in the air. Either fencer can then establish right of way by initiating a new attack. Essentially, it is an attack when a fencer's weapon threatens a valid target and will score a hit if the defender does nothing to prevent it.
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Weapons and Equipment
This section gives a brief overview of all the Kit and Equipment a fencer needs, just to give you at least a vague idea of what it is all for. It's all supplied by us so all you need to bring is yourself in t-shirt, tracksuit bottoms and trainers.
Weapons
Foil
Epee
Sabre
Equipment
Fencing at Queens
There's really little else to be said here, apart from to repeat the fact that the best way to properly find out about fencing is to come along some night and try it. We'll supply the clothing, mask, blade and victims, take you through some of the basics of footwork and bladework and let you have a go. The beginner's classes are best for this, but new members are welcome at any time. The fencing at Queen's is predominantly foil fencing, but we do have people that know their way around the epee and sabre too. Foil will be the first weapon taught to beginners though, as it gives the best grounding and preparation for the other two. After a while, most people find they have a preference for one weapon over the others.