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In sports fencing there are three modalities depending on whether the epee, foil or saber is used. Sports fencing should not be confused with historical fencing or ancient fencing (HEMA).
The basic form of combat in fencing is to attack, defend and counterattack, which in this sport enhances great speed, skill and emotion.
It is an Olympic sport in which two people confront each other armed with a sword, saber or foil, protected by a mask and a special suit.
The sword is the heaviest and most rigid of the three, being a rapier weapon, which means that the hit can only be struck with the tip. The valid target is the entire body. It has a bowl-shaped or loop-shaped cup as hand protection. The epee is larger and of course weighs more than the foil and saber. Its weight ranges between 700 or 800 grams.
The Foil is considered the basic weapon for beginners. Light and flexible, with a maximum weight of 500 grams, it is used to create headdresses by ramming its tip only into the torso and chin of the mask, thus rendering the headdress invalid on the extremities or head. The headdresses are made only in pointe.
The saber has a cup-shaped guard, which curves under the hand. Hits or points can be achieved by ramming with the tip or hitting with the edge or counter edge. The torso, head and arms are considered a valid target, their maximum weight is 500 grams.
SEE HISTORICAL FENCING HEMA
