What is Fencing?
Fencing is a group of three related combat sports. The three disciplines in modern fencing are the foil, the épée, and the sabre; winning points are made through the weapon’s contact with an opponent.
Below Are The Top Fencing Shops In South Africa
Discount Wire and Fence
Address: 28 13th Rd, Kew, Johannesburg, 2090
Hours: Closed ⋅ Opens 8 AM Thu
Phone: 086 111 2453
NGW Fencing Supplies
Address: 24 Peter Kerchhoff St, Pietermaritzburg, 3201
Hours: Closed ⋅ Opens 7:30 AM Thu
Phone: 033 342 4402
Fencesteel Pty Ltd
Address: 14 National Rd, Sinoville, Pretoria, 0129
Areas served: Gauteng
Hours: Closed ⋅ Opens 7 AM Thu
Phone: 012 543 1294
All Steel Fencing
Address: 1396 Chris Hani Rd, Red Hill, Durban North, 4051
Hours: Closed ⋅ Opens 9 AM Thu
Phone: 086 177 7576
NEMTEK Electric Fencing Products
Address: Unit 1&2, Eden Crossing Cnr Dick Kemp &, Herman St, Meadowdale, Johannesburg, 1610
Hours: Closed ⋅ Opens 8 AM Thu
Phone: 011 453 1970
Fencing Rules
Fencing is a sport with a long history and is one of just five sports to have featured in every modern Olympic Games. In the UK it maintains something of an elitist reputation, in part due to its association with aristocratic dueling but there are moves to make it more inclusive.
The sport known as fencing normally refers to Olympic fencing, with classical fencing (which is more martial arts based) and historical fencing as other variants of the sport. In this article, we shall concern ourselves with the Olympic variety and its three branches, foil, saber, and epée, the sport also known as competitive fencing for a little added confusion!
The object of the Game
The object of the game is to use your weapon to strike your opponent whilst avoiding being hit yourself. Simple, ruthless, and – if you get it wrong – painful.
Players & Equipment
Fencing is only ever contested one against one, although team events exist. The most important piece of equipment is of course the weapon itself of which, as mentioned, there are three kinds: the epée is the heaviest sword, the foil is a lighter thrusting weapon, and the saber is a cutting and thrusting weapon derived from the cavalry sword.
In order to register the scores players’ swords are electronically sensitive, as are the scoring areas of the body, and are connected by a body cord to the scoring box. When a strike is registered there is an audible tone and a light illuminates.
Fencers must wear a variety of protective attire to minimize the chance of serious injury. This includes a mask and helmet that completely covers the head and has a tough mesh at the front through which fencers can see but which is strong enough to repel the weapons.
A fencing jacket, pads, and a glove on the weapon hand are also required, with other pads to protect various areas of the body.
Fencers compete on a “piste” that is 46 feet long and around six feet wide. There is a center line with on-guard lines six feet to either side across the width of the piste and this is where the fencers start each round from.