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The evolution of the
foil came about due to the need
for a less expensive and more easily obtainable weapon for practicing
techniques designed for use when dueling with the
épée. In pre
19th century Europe, fine steel was rare and rather expensive. To risk
damaging one's fine épée while practicing was impractical which
lead to the creation of the practice foil made from sheets of
less expensive rolled steel foil. The foil is equal in length to the
épée but the diameter of both the blade and the guard are smaller making
the weapon lighter and more flexible.
Like
the modern épée, the modern
electric foil has a small button on the tip to simulate a sharp point.
A modern foil fencer also wears a special electrically conductive
vest, called a lamé, that covers the torso, front and back which
represents the valid target area. To
score, the fencer must depress the button against the lamé
on the opposing fencer. At least 500 grams of pressure is required to
depress the point of the electric foil which is lighter than the 750
grams required for the épée
point.
Because a foil fencer
is never in any actual physical danger due to the weapon's blunted
point, there is no compelling reason to attempt a defensive maneuver
when under attack before launching a counter attack of one's own. To
counteract the natural tendency to forego defense when no actual
physical injury is at stake, rules for foil fencing were developed to
require defensive action by the subject of an attack before a touch can
be scored by the attacked fencer.
Unlike with the épée, only one of the opponents can ever be awarded a
point on any given touch regardless of whether both fencers hit at the
same time. This concept is manifested in what has become known as
priority or right-of-way. A fencer is said to have
priority when they are either the first to begin an attack or,
they have successfully defended against an attack initiated by their
opponent.
There is a single
exception to the priority requirement which occurs when the fencer who
does not have priority launches a counter attack that lands while the
fencer who had priority fails to land their touch. However, should the
original priority attack land in any manner, the counter attack is
always disqualified and the touch awarded to the fencer who had priority
when the touch occurred.
Foil fencing can be
very tactical and precise in style with many eloquent attack/defense
phrases occurring in top level bouts. Accuracy, planning ahead and the
ability to think on your feet are all important elements of the
discipline that is modern foil fencing.
Further information
about foil fencing rules can be found on the
USFA web site.
Épée
Sabre
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