FENCING REGULATIONS & SAFETY

Fencing is a sport in which two opponents engage each other in contest with foil, epee or saber, on a marked Piste (the tight measured area for all the action). As far back as the seventeenth century Fencing was at heart a fight to the death with epee or saber and was known as dueling. Fencing was a deadly art, the aim of a contestant being to kill or maim his opponent.

The foil was the practice weapon for dueling, being a light, court sword, favoured in the French culture. The foil was designed to pierce the opponent's body, while the saber was designed to slash, having sharpened edges as well as a point. With the outlawing of dueling, the foil came into its own as a weapon for sporting contest without the intention to injure.

In our days, Fencing with the foil is a sport of tight reflex actions, of the combined skill of hand, eye and foot, with the aim of 'touching' the opponent. The scoring in Fencing is a count of 'touches' on the opponent's torso. It is a fast, vigorous sport requiring great agility on the part of the Fencers.

The specialised clothing for Fencing is designed for the safety and protection of the body and the hands. It consists of:

• The Fencing Jacket
• The wire mesh Mask and Bib
• Leather Gloves
• Underarm protector, the Plaistron
• The Breastplate for women
• Athletic Support for men
• Breeches and Stockings

Newington Fencers are expected at all times in the sport to follow the Sports Code of the College, and to obey the rules of the Gymnasium. There are some special competition courtesies developed in the sport of Fencing - these will be taught by example to the Fencers.

The Fencers will wear the prescribed protective clothing at all times, on the Piste, or in one-on-one practice.

The foil must always be buttoned, and the buttons inspected regularly to be sure that there are no cracks and that the point of the weapon is fully covered.

When walking with the foil, Fencers are required to carry the weapon with the point aimed at the ground.

When carrying the foil to and from school, or to and from the Gymnasium, the Fencers must carry the foil properly sheathed or in a closed Fencing Bag. It is not a toy.

A Fencer must never run while carrying the foil.

A Fencer must never point the foil at anyone who is not wearing a Mask.

These requirements remind the Fencers that the sport was once a deadly serious one, and that played properly, it is exciting, fast and, at the same time, elegant .

Fencers, en Garde!