Fencing In Schools
Framework & Resources
Glossary of common terms and references
Competitions involving young fencers are usually organised so that competion is between children of approximately the same age - commonly in bands covering two, or at most three years.
In schools fencing, age is normally defined as at the previous Sept 1st, so a child who had not reached their 13th Birthday by Sept 1st 2008 would be considered "Under 13" for the season 1/9/2008 0 31/8/2009.
In childrens competitions outside the school framework, the datum date is usually 1st January.
For safety reasons, fencers under 13 are not allowed to compete in events which involve fencers over 18.
Assesseurs are (optional) assistant referees. Sometimes in Foil it may be hard for the referee to see if a fencer is committing the offence of "covering target" ie using their un-armed arm or hand to prevent their opponent from hitting the valid target area. In epee, it can be difficult for the referee to tell if an attempted hit on the foot actually hit the foot or the floor. On such ocassions Assesseurs (sometimes called "arm-judges" or "floor spotters") may be introduced.
The electrical wire used to connect from the fixed scoring apparatus to the fencers weapon. It threads up the back of the jacket, and down the sleeve, emerging through a slit in the glove. In Foil and Sabre, there is also a crocodile clip which attaches to the fencers lame
A foil bodywire showing 3 pin connection to spool, bayonet connector for weapon and croc-clip connection to lame.
A single fight between two fencers. In a team context, a bout is normally the first to 5 hits in a maximum of 3 minutes, but either target score or time can be reduced to speed up the event. A team match can consist of a number of individual bouts, although it can also be run on a relay system.
Protective garment intended to protect the abdomen and thighs of the fencer. Required for fencers over 14, and recommended at all ages when using metal weapons (not MiniFence). The strength (ie resistance to penetration) of breeches is described in Newtons. For school fencing, 350 Newton is recommended.
Fencing Breeches 
The governing body for elite fencing in Great Britain. See also England Fencing
In national and Interntational competition, a fencer under the age of 17 on Jan 1st in the current season.
The knock-out part of a competition where losing a bout (individual) or match (team) results in elimination from the event. Also see Poule
The governing body responsible for developing the sport in England. See also British Fencing.
One of the three weapons in fencing. The Epee is a thrusting weapon, scoring with the point only. Hits anywhere on the opponents body, arms, legs or head are valid.
Shorter and lighter versions of epees are produced for younger fencers. U10 fencers usually use a size 0 and under 14 fencers use a size 2. Fencers over 14 may continue to use a size 2 but many move to the adult weapon - size 5.
Epee with pistol grip
Smaller and lighter than the Epee, the foil is also a thrusting weapon which scores with the point only. Hits are only valid when made on the opponents lame, which covers the trunk, but excludes head, legs and arms.
Shorter and lighter versions of foils are produced for younger fencers. U10 fencers usually use a size 0 and under 14 fencers use a size 3. Fencers over 14 may continue to use a size 3 but many move to the adult weapon - size 5.
Foil with pistol grip
A slightly articulated (but fairly straight) handle on an Epee or Foil, commonly used by beginners. Many expert fencers claim that the rival pistol grip gives more control over the weapon, but is harder to control.
A french grip on a foil.
A padded gauntlet to protect the hand holding the weapon. For foil and epee gloves are interchangeable. For sabre, the wrist cuff part of the glove is conductive to connect to the lame sleeve.
Gloves are handed (Right and Left) so to accommodate 25 fencers might require 30+ gloves.
Left-handed fencing glove viewed from top and bottom.
A protective garment essential in all fencing involving metal weapons. The jacket covers the whole of the body from waist to neck, and both arms. The strength (resistance to penetration) of jackets is defined in Newtons. For school fencing 350 Newton is recommended.
Jackets for individuals are handed (eg a jacket for a right handed fencer zips up on the left and vice versa). Schools and clubs often prefer back-zip jackets, which are slightly harder to do up, but are suitable for both right and left handers.
A fencing jacket
Pronounced "Lah-may" An electrically conductive over-jacket used for scoring in Foil and Sabre. Not required for Epee.
Lame jackets Foil (left) & Sabre (right)
Essential to protect the head, face and eyes in all forms of fencing, including MiniFence. In Sabre, the mask is electrically conductive, whereas in Foil and Epee it is electrically inert.
Left to right, masks for Foil/Epee, Sabre & Mini-Fence
A competition between 2 fencing teams. Sometimes decided on the best of 9 wins (3 fencers per team each fighting each other up to 5.) Another common match format is a relay, where the score is cumulative, but the fencers change each time the higher scoring team reaches a multiple of 5. For example, the first two fencers fence until one reaches 5. Then the fencers are changed, but carry on from the same score, until one reaches 10, and so on until after 9 sessions, limited to 3 minutes each, either one team has reached 45, or the time has run out. See also competition formats
An system of fencing using plastic weapons and only requiring plastic masks. Ideal for introducing primary school children to the sport. For more details click here
A measure of force, in this case, the force that a fabric will resist before being penetrated. Fencing clothing is specially designed to prevent penetration, particularly when a weapon breaks. For school fencing jackets and breeches designed to 350 Newton standard are required. Plastrons may be 350N for fencers Under 14, but must be 800N for fencers over 14, so it may make sense for a secondary school to buy ALL 800N plastrons.
A strip 14m long x approx 1.5m wide on which fencing takes place. For younger fencers it can be shortened to 12m. See this page for a diagram giving dimensions and markings. A piste can usually be marked on the floor of a sports hall with removable tape.
A handle for a foil or an epee which is shaped to fit the fingers. It is generally preferred by more advanced fencers, but can be harder to control than with the simpler French grip commonly used by beginners.
Pistol grip.
An additional protective garment worn under the jacket, which covers the exposed side of the torso and provides extra protection against penetration. Although it can't be seen, it is a critical safety item, and referees should check that fencers are wearing plastrons at the start of a fight.
They come in 350N and 800N versions. The former are acceptable for under 14 fencers, but given the relatively small difference in price, it may make sense for a secondary school to invest only in the higher specification.
A Plastron shown on a right handed fencer.
A group of fencers (or teams) who, in the early stages of a competition, will fight each other. The result may depend on who gets promoted to the Direct Elimination stage, or, if all are promoted, what ranking they will have in that stage. Similar to the group stage of major international football competitions.
Following one or more poules the fencers/teams are ranked for the direct elimination based on 1) the percentage of wins over fights/matches, and 2) the number of hits scored minus hits received and 3) the number of hits scored.
A scoring sheet designed to record the results of the poule stage of a competition. In addition to recording the score, it also usually gives the order that individual bouts should be run, to ensure fair breaks for all competitors. [Download needed]
In a competition with a relatively small number of participants there may be no need for a qualifying/seeding round since each entrant can fight every other entrant. This is run in the same way as a poule round of a large competition, but with no Direct Elimination stage. The final rankings are decided solely on the result of the single Poule.
The referee is required to supervise safety on the piste, as well as to award hits and penalise infractions. In foil and sabre, the requirement to decide "Right of Way" can make significant demands on inexperienced refs.
In Foil and Sabre, it is possible for scoring lights to be lit for both fencers, but only one of them can be awarded the point. This is decided on the principle of "right of way" which gives priority to the attacker, unless the attack is parried, at which point the right of way passes to the fencer who performed the parry to make an immediate reposte, or the attack finishes without scoring, in which case neither fencer possesses right of way until one of them initiates a fresh attack
The full rules of fencing can be downloaded here
One of the three weapons that make up fencing. Unlike Foil and Epee, where hits can only be scored with the point, sabre fencers can score with the edge as well as the point.
Valid hits can only be scored above the waist, on torso, arms or head.
Shorter and lighter versions of sabres are produced for younger fencers. U10 fencers usually use a size 0 and under 14 fencers use a size 2. Fencers over 14 may continue to use a size 2 but many move to the adult weapon - size 5.
Sabre
A spring loaded drum that allows the fencer to be connected to the scoring equipment while keeping the wire semi-taught. This prevents the wire from becoming a potential trip hazard.
The wires running from each fencer's waist are kept taught by the spool.
Notice the tower lights in the background - this exchange resulted in both fencers missing, otherwise one or both of the lights woul be illuminated. The fencer on the left really should have pulled her socks up!
The arrangement of fencers in a direct elimination, showing who will fight who to decide progress to the next round. A complete tableau requires that the number of fencers be a power of two - ie 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 etc. The fencer ranked highest after the poule stage fights the fencer ranked lowest, so in a tableau of 32, the 1st ranked fencer fights 32nd, 2nd fights 31st and so on to 16th fights 17th.
In an incomplete tableau (say 27 fencers) the 1st fencer still nominally fights 32, which is a vacant position, and so has a bye (free ride) into the last 16. In this case of 27 fencers, the highest ranked five fencers would have byes, the first real fight being 6th vs 27th.
A group of fencers representing a school or club. Normally a team comprises 3 fencers, although sometimes 4 fencers may be used to allow for substitution for injury or performance.
England Fencing's programme for gifted and talented fencers.