Fencing

Fencing, which was once a form of combat, is today an international competitive sport involving such skills as precision, coordination, and strategy. Participants wear masks, gloves, and padded jackets and use one of three weapons, a foil, epee, or sabre, in attack and defense. Fencers must employ certain techniques, based on the weapon used, to hit one of the valid target areas of their opponent and win the match. The sport of fencing was introduced in the 14th century and was one of the events featured in the first Olympic Games in 1896. This section features resources on fencing organizations.