Fencing is one of only four sports to have been included in every modern Olympic Games, according to USA Fencing. The United States Fencing Association, or USFA, is the body responsible for governing the sport in the United States. The USFA, along with the international fencing federation, known as Féderation Internationale d'Escrime, or FIE, establishes the rules governing competitive fencing in the nation.
Weapons
Fencers can compete in with one of three weapon types: foil, sabre and epee. In foil fencing, only thrusts to the opponent's torso above the waist, excluding the hands and face, are valid. Epee fencers can score if a thrust is made to any point of their opponent's body. Sabre fencers can thrust or cut, but only against the opponent's torso above the waist, including the head but excluding the hands.
Fencing Strip Rules
Every fencing match must take place on an even surface, giving no advantage to either fencer involved, according to rule t.11. The fencing strip must be between 1.5 and 2 meters wide and 14 meters long, with each fencer starting at a distance of 2 meters from the center of the strip. The strip must have five vertical lines, one in the center, one at each of the two 2-meter starting positions, and one at each end of the strip, at 7 meters from the center.
Bout Rules
Each bout begins with the command "Fence," issued by either the referee or the fencers if no referee is present. Bouts stop on the command "Halt." Once the bout is halted, the fencers cannot start a new action. Fencers may not turn their backs to one another during a bout, and the action must cease if a fencer goes past his opponent during a bout. A bout continues until one or both fencers score five valid touches against the opponent.
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