Dublin High School Fencing
Photos
About Fencing
Fencing Basics
 
 
 
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An Ancient Sport

Fencing derives from the ancient art of the duel and mortal combat with swords. Today it's an Olympic sport of competition, concentration, strength and speed. Fencing has three weapons of foil, epee and sabre. 
 
Fencing is a metaphor for life. Attack, parry, respond, defeat, retreat, timing, distance, these elements of fencing are all skills of life. As a sport, fencing is physically challenging. It requires skill, strategy, and mental focus for success.

Participants compete as individuals, but also enjoy the benefits of being part of a team. Students will learn to control their minds and bodies and increase reflexes, as well as build relationships within the club. The team will compete in United State Fencing Association ("USFA") sanctioned tournaments, and interscholastic matches.

Students are expected to participate regularly in weekly practices, matches and tournaments. If students do not attend regular clubevents for an extended period of time without a legitimate excuse, they will be dropped from the roster. USFA Fencing sanctioned events are scheduled year round, however participation will only be expected October thru March.
A Modern Sport

The sport of fencing is fast and athletic, a far cry from the choreographed bouts you see on film or on the stage.

Instead of swinging from a chandelier or leaping from balconies, you will see two fencers performing an intense dance on a 6-feet by 44-feet strip. The movement is so fast the touches are scored electrically – a lot more like Star Wars than Errol Flynn.
USA Olympian Ivan Lee (left) on the attack at the 2004 New York Grand Prix of Fencing
Winning

Competitors win a fencing bout (what an individual “game” is called) by being the first to score 15 points (in direct elimination play) or 5 points (in preliminary pool play) against their opponent, or by having a higher score than their opponent when the time limit expires. Each time a fencer lands a valid hit - a touch - on their opponent, they receive one point. The time limit for direct elimination matches is nine minutes - three three-minute periods with a one-minute break between each.

Fencers are penalized for crossing the lateral boundaries of the strip, while retreating off the rear limit of their side results in a touch awarded to their opponent.
The Weapons

Foil, epee and saber are the three weapons used in the sport of fencing. While some fencers compete in all three events, elite generally choose to focus their energies on mastering one weapon.
 
 
 
2009-2010 Dublin Fencing Club