Fencing is an Olympic and Paralympic sport that is an intense and entertaining sport with a long tradition and unique etiquette.  It is one of only four sports included at every summer Olympic Games since 1896.  Fencing is often referred to as “physical chess” as it challenges athletes both physically and mentally while offering a supportive community and fun environment.

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Fencing is a fast and athletic competition that evolved out of historical swordsmanship and military training.  It’s a sport with all the safety and technology of the present day, while preserving the honor and customs of its heritage.

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Fencing is a lifetime sport for people of all ages and backgrounds.  Fencers come in all shapes, sizes and ages; physical strength and size are not major factors in the sport.  Fencing helps build fitness, athleticism, discipline and coordination and involves three essential skills:  footwork, bladework, and tactics.  These are universal skills that can be learned at any age and which the fencer strives to continually improve upon. 

 

Footwork moves the fencing into scoring distance to deliver the touch, or to move away in defense from an attack.  Bladework allows the fencer to hit his/her opponent and deflect an attack.  Tactics are employed for the thinking and planning used by a fencer to deceive his/her opponent in this game of “physical chess.”  While there are fundamental principles that all fencers follow, fencing allows for a high degree of creativity and individual style.

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