Often referred to as European fencing, or Olympic fencing, fencing is a competitive sword sport dating back to the 18th century French School of Fencing. By utilizing three core weapons---the foil, epee and sabre---combatants thrust and slash their way into an opponent's body, targeting specific target areas. While the rules of combat differ depending of which weapons the combatants are using, most strikes in all three divisions target areas above the waist.
Foil
Thin, light and flexible, the foil is the most common fencing weapon and is often the weapon taught first to modern fencing students. Developed from the 17th century Parisian small sword design, the foil is a light, one-handed sword exclusively intended for stabbing and thrust attacks. In modern competitive fencing the foil most commonly used is an "electric" foil: involving a built-in button which that combatant presses inside the grip of the sword in order for the blow to be registered by an electric scoring console. Targets of the body for foil fencing are restricted to the torso, including the shoulders, chest, abdomen and back areas.
Epee
Similar to the foil in all respects but flexibility, the epee is a thrusting weapon designed for speed and maneuverability. Owing its lineage to a group of 19th century French students who found foil regulations too restrictive, epee fencing allows for the entire body to be used as a thrusting area. Epee combat is also less restrictive when it comes to rules for physical contact between two fencers---a corps-a-corps, or bodily collision, only being penalized if initialized with the intent to harm. According to the U.S. Fencing Handbook created by the United States Fencing Association, the "right of way" restrictions found in both foil and sabre combat are exempt, allowing combatants to pass each other in the fencing area and score attacks while in passing.
Sabre
The only modern fencing weapon that utilizes slashing and cutting techniques, the sabre utilizes a larger "bell guard" than the previous two weapons that protects the user's hand. Built for flexibility and quick slicing attacks, the sabre may score points on target areas with the edges, surfaces and point of the blade. While there is some debate as to whether the modern sabre was descended from Turkish calvary sabers or the European rapier, the modern variation sports a thin cutting blade only slightly less flexible than the foil. The target areas of sabre combat include everything above the waist except for the hands and back of the head of an opponent. Due to the sabre's ability to score points with virtually any part of its blade, sabre matches are often determined quicker than epee or foil bouts.
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