What is modern fencing?
The general spirit from the Age of Chivalry prevails today, modern fencing, however, is now much faster and athletic. Instead of drawing blood, the object now is to score points and to demonstrate one’s ability against opponents. The three weapons used today are: Foil Originally designed as a practice weapon with blunted tips to prevent injuries, the modern foil is the lightest of all weapons and its use is considered basic to fencing. The valid target areas are the torso—from the groin to the collar bone—and any touches not landing in that area is off-target. Fencers score touches by thrusting and landing with the tip of the foil. In addition, foilists are bound by “right-of-way,” the right to attack. Épée Of all three weapons, épée resembles real dueling most. The entire body is valid target and no right-of-way rule exists. Whoever touches first wins the point. If both fencers touch simultaneously, the director awards points to both. The weapon is stiffer than the foil. Still, fencer
