What is fencing?

Modern fencing is a sport with roots that dates back to medieval times. Ever since people could form metal into tools, the sword has had a place in human history. Today fencing has ceased to be a study of self-defense, and instead has changed with the times to become the fun and fast-paced sport of the present. 

The sport of fencing is fast and athletic, a far cry from the choreographed bouts you see on film or on the stage. Instead of swinging from a chandelier or leaping from balconies, you will see two fencers performing an intense dance on a six-feet-by-40-feet strip. The movement is so fast the touches are scored electrically - more like Star Wars than Errol Flynn.

Why fencing?

Today we fence for the same reason that people play basketball or soccer, or any other sport. Fencing is fun, it’s great exercise, and it is accessible to kids of all shapes and sizes. Good fencers trains their body and mind to be focused, fast and efficient. Every movement is at once powerful and economical, decisive and unbelievably swift. Fencing is a sport with a beauty and grace all its own, and you’ll never have more fun with a sword in your hand.  

Is Fencing Safe? 

Fencing is very safe. We take care to follow the rules of the sport carefully and respect the weapon. We always wear safety gear and never play around when people without protection are nearby. Because of the above, fencing has one of the lowest rates of injury of any sport. If you do it right, fencing is not suppose to hurt. Most of all, fencing is fun! At Empire United Fencing we believe that everyone should have a chance to find their passion in life. Our passion is fencing, we hope yours will be too.

How to Watch a Fencing Bout

For those new to fencing, it is difficult to follow the lightning speed of the fencer’ actions. To become more comfortable in watching a fencing bout, focus on one fencer. The fencer being attacked defends himself by use of a parry, a motion used to deflect the opponent’s blade, after which the defender can make a riposte, an answering attack. Thus, the two adversaries keep changing between offense and defense. Whenever a hit is made, the referee will stop the bout, describe the actions, and decide whether or not to award a touch. Fencers seek to maintain a safe distance from each other, that is, out of range of the others’ attack. Then, one will try to break this distance to gain the advantage for an attack. At times, a fencer will make a false attack to gauge the types of reactions by the opponent that can be deceived in the real attack. As you become accustomed to the speed of the game, the tactics and strategies become more apparent, and you will gain a better understanding for the finesse and fascination of fencing!