What's it all about?
Fencing is one of four sports which has featured at every modern Olympic Games.
Currently, three types of weapon are used in Olympic Fencing, these are:
- Foil - a light thrusting weapon; the valid target is restricted to the torso; double touches are not allowed.
- Épée - a heavy thrusting weapon; the valid target area covers the entire body; double touches are allowed.
- Sabre - a light cutting and thrusting weapon; the valid target area includes almost everything above the waist (excluding the back of the head and the hands); double touches are not allowed.
In competition, the validity of touches is determined by the electronic scoring apparatus, so as to minimize human error and bias in refereeing.
Structure of the sport
The controlling National Body for Fencing is England Fencing: www.englandfencing.org.uk
Taking Part
Fencing has a long history of association with Universities and Schools. University students compete against each other at an international level at the World University Games. Most nations also hold a national level university tournament including the British Universities & Colleges Sport BUCS Fencing Championships.
In the UK the only national competition in which schools compete against each other directly is the Public School Public Schools Fencing Championship, a competition only open to Independent Schools. However schools also organise matches directly against one another and school age pupils can compete individually against one another in the British Youth Championships.
Some leisure centres and schools also have Fencing clubs.
Get Involved
To find your local club please follow this link to the British Fencing Website
Follow England Fencing on 
or 
Main Contact
Peter Huggins - Regional Fencing Development Officer - south.east@englandfencing.org.uk - 01622 739 605
