Frequently Asked Questions

• 1) Questions about EFC
  • a) How and when can I observe a lesson?
  • b) What should my child or I wear for fencing?
  • c) Is there any time my child should not fence?
  • d) Who do I make my check out to pay for Club dues, or equipment orders?
  • e) Who should I contact about the Beginning fencing class?
  • f) What is a private lesson?
• 2) Questions about fencing
  • a) What is fencing?
  • b) What weapons are used in fencing?
  • c) What is "Right-of-Way"?
  • d) How can I watch and understand a fencing bout?

1) Questions about EFC

a) How and when can I observe a lesson?

If you would like to observe classes, please contact the club to verify the current class schedule. Parents always welcome to watch their children practice on Tuesday night.

b) What should my child or I wear for fencing?

Short-sleeve T-shirt, sweat pants, closed-toed tennis shoes... and a smile!

c) Is there any time my child should not fence?

Your child must not participate if they have recently had, or been exposed to someone with a cold or communicable illness, skin rash (poison oak, etc.), lice, or any condition that can be passed along via contact with skin or clothing. Please contact your child's coach immediately if you suspect your child has become exposed, or if your child misses club for more than two weeks due to illness or other reason.

d) Who do I make my check out to pay for Club dues, or equipment orders?

Please make out check to Eugene Fencers Club.

e) Who should I contact about the Beginning fencing class?

You should contact John, by e-mail at eugenefencersclub2022@gmail.com. Please state "Fencing class" in the subject line.

f) What is a private lesson?

During a private lesson, a coach works with one or two students, training them on specific skills. Because of the focused attention, the skills can be developed with more precision than in a class setting. The coach plans the lesson with the specific needs of the student in mind. Also because of the focus, a lesson can be a very intense workout, both physically and mentally. Lessons run 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the student's level and ability to focus throughout.

2) Questions about fencing

Information courtesy of the US Fencing Association.

a) What is fencing?

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.

The main object of a fencing bout (what an individual "game" is called) is to effectively score 15 points (in direct elimination play) or five points (in preliminary pool play) on your opponent before s/he scores that number on you. Each time a fencer scores a touch, s/he receives a point. Direct elimination matches consist of three three-minute periods.

b) What weapons are used in fencing?

Foil, epee and saber are the three weapons used in the sport of fencing. While it is not unusual for fencers to compete in all three events, they generally choose to develop their skills in one weapon. Until recently, women were permitted to compete only in foil, but now the USFA & FIE offer national competitions for women in all three weapons. Women's epee was added to the World Championships in 1989 and was held for the first time at the Olympic Games in 1996. Women's saber was held for the first time at the Olympic Games in 2004, with the Gold medal being won by a fencer from Portland, Oregon. Foil and epee are point-thrusting weapons. Saber is a point-thrusting as well as a cutting weapon. The target areas differ for the three weapons, though all three are scored electrically.

Foil:

The foil has a flexible rectangular blade, approximately 35 inches in length, weighing less than one pound. Points are scored with the tip of the blade and must land within the torso of the body. The valid target area in foil is the torso, from the shoulders to the groin, front and back. It does not include the arms, neck, head and legs. The foil fencer's uniform includes a metallic vest (called a lame), which covers the valid target area, so that a valid touch will register on the scoring machine. A small, spring-loaded tip is attached to the point of the foil and is connected to a wire inside the blade. The fencer wears a body cord inside his uniform, which connects the foil to a reel wire, connected to the scoring machine. There are two scoring lights on the machine. One shows a green light when a fencer is hit, and one shows a red light when her opponent is hit. A touch landing outside the valid target area (that which is not covered by the lame) is indicated by a white light. These "off target" hits do not count in the scoring, but they do stop the fencing action temporarily.

Epee:

The epee (pronounced "EPP-pay"), the descendant of the dueling sword, is similar in length to the foil, but is heavier, weighing approximately 27 ounces, with a larger guard (to protect the hand from a valid hit) and a much stiffer blade. Touches are scored only with the point of the blade. The entire body is the valid target area. The blade is wired with a spring-loaded tip at the end that completes an electrical circuit when it is depressed beyond a pressure of 750 grams. This causes the colored bulb on the scoring machine to light. Because the entire body is a valid target area, the epee fencer's uniform does not include a lame. Off-target hits do not register on the machine.

Saber:

The saber is the modern version of the slashing cavalry sword, and is similar in length and weight to the foil. The major difference is that the saber is a thrusting weapon as well as a cutting weapon (use of the blade). The target area is from the bend of the hips (both front and back), to the top of the head, simulating the cavalry rider on a horse. The saber fencer's uniform includes a metallic jacket (lame), which covers the target area to register a valid touch on the scoring machine. The mask is different from foil and epee, with a metallic covering since the head is valid target area. Just as in foil, there are two scoring lights on the machine. One shows a green light when a fencer is hit, and one shows a red light when the opponent has hit. Off-target hits do not register on the machine.

c) What is "Right-of-Way"?

One of the most difficult concepts to visualize in foil and saber fencing is the rule of right-of-way. This rule was established to eliminate apparently simultaneous attacks by two fencers. In essence, right-of-way is the differentiation of offense and defense, made by the referee. The difference is important only when both the red and green lights go on at the same time in foil and saber. When this happens, the winner of the point is the one who the referee determined was attacking at the time the lights went on. Epee does not use the right-of-way in keeping with its dueling origin Ð s/he who first gains the touch earns the point. Or, if both fencers hit within 1/25th of a second of each other, both earn a point. However, it is equally important to have a sound defense for epee, since the entire body must be protected from a touch.

d) How can I watch and understand a fencing bout?

For those new to fencing, it is difficult to follow the lightning speed of the fencers' actions. To become more comfortable in watching a fencing bout, focus on one fencer. The fencer being attacked defends him/herself 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 other's 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!