Basketball, football, badminton. These are the typical sports that all Singaporeans play. However, although these sports are extremely physically demanding and difficult, there is a sport that requires more strategy and agility than all these. What is is, you may ask? It is fencing.
Fencing is a combat sport which requires fencers to obtain points by slashing or touching their opponents with a blade. It is not that well-known in Singapore. If you are looking for a sport that is all about attacking, defending, and fighting, then Fencing is the sport for you!
Let’s take a look at the details on fencing!
A Glimpse into History
Fencing traces its roots back centuries, with evidence of swordplay found in ancient civilisations such as Egypt, Rome, and Greece. However, modern fencing originated from Italy in the 18th century, influenced by the Italian School of the Renaissance.Basketball, football, badminton. These are the typical sports that all Singaporeans play. However, although these sports are extremely physically demanding and difficult, there is a sport that requires more strategy and agility than all these. What is is, you may ask? It is fencing.
Fencing is a combat sport which requires fencers to obtain points by slashing or touching their opponents with a blade. It is not that well-known in Singapore. If you are looking for a sport that is all about attacking, defending, and fighting, then Fencing is the sport for you!
Let’s take a look at the details on fencing!
A Glimpse into History
Fencing traces its roots back centuries, with evidence of swordplay found in ancient civilisations such as Egypt, Rome, and Greece. However, modern fencing originated from Italy in the 18th century, influenced by the Italian School of the Renaissance.
The development of different schools of fencing, each with its own techniques and philosophies, led to the codification of rules and styles. This was when it was really improved and evolved into the fencing that we have today.
Why does fencing require more strategy and agility than other sports?
This is the question that all of us are asking. Why does fencing require more strategy and agility? Most people think that the physical capability of the Fencer determines his success in Fencing. However, Fencing is also known as “Physical chess”, meaning that fencing requires a lot of strategy. It requires you to think of a plan to score a point against your opponent. Its like a puzzle! What will you do? A feint to the right, followed by a disengage to the flank? Or a beat flèche to surprise your opponent? There are many different techniques and skills that Fencers use.
What are the three blades used in fencing?
Besides that, footwork is another extremely important thing in Fencing. Fencers place their feet in an L shape, with the dominant foot facing front and their knees bent. Think of footwork as the basic building block of fencing. Footwork helps with escaping from your opponent’s attack and helps you when attacking your opponent.
Foil
The foil is a light and flexible blade with a rectangular cross-section. It is the most used weapon in fencing, especially for beginners. In foil, points are scored by touching the opponent with the tip of the blade. Hits are only valid if they land on the torso area, excluding the arms, neck, and legs.
Épée
The épée is a heavy and stiff blade. It has a triangular cross-section and a larger guard to protect the hand. In épée, the entire body, even the head and shoe are a target. Points are scored by touching any part of the opponent’s body with the tip of the blade. Épée fencing is often characterized by a slower pace and a focus on strategy and patience, as there are no rules regarding right of way.
Sabre
The sabre is a curved, light, and flexible blade with a V-shaped cross- section. It is a weapon built for slashing and is also known as the modern version of the traditional cavalry sword. Sabre fencing is characterized by fast-paced, dynamic movements and quick exchanges. Points are scored by hitting the opponent with the edge or tip of the blade, including any part of the head, torso, and arms.
What is the equipment needed for Fencing?
Fencing is a very dangerous sport, with metal blades that can pierce through you. Hence, we need to wear tons of protective gear. A typical fencing attire consists of two to three layers. Firstly, there is the plastron. It is a small protective layer that covers half of your body. For the second layer, fencers wear a thick jacket for added protection. The fourth layer, there is the lamé. It is for fencers fencing foil and sabre to wear, to define the scoring area and register contact with it.
Isn’t it hot under all those layers, you may ask. Actually, not really! Fencing is an indoors sport, in a room usually filled with air-conditioner. Although fencers wear so many layers, they still don’t feel hot.
Other than the body protection, fencers also need their mask and glove to protect their face and hands. In addition, fencers also need a body wire, to detect when they score a point.
What are some fun facts about Fencing?
Firstly, there is a strict rule of conduct to uphold. Fencing is a sport built on respect. Therefore, before and after every match, fencers should salute each other by lifting their blades above their heads, as a form of respect.
Secondly, like most other sports, fencing has strict rules. Yellow cards, even red cards are given out for a simple thing like turning your back on your opponent in a match!
Finally, fencing is unlike most sports, where each game lasts about more than 30 minutes. Fencing matches are extremely short, lasting at most 3 minutes per match! This is because the goal in fencing is to hit your opponent without getting hit. What an interesting sport, don’t you think?
What does fencing have to do with Raffles?
Most Rafflesians know that there is a fencing CCA in Raffles Institution (RI). However, recently, the C Division (Year 1 and Year 2 fencers) have broken a record in history. Through hard training and discipline, we finally managed to accomplish this feat. This was RI’s first gold for C Division in a long time! What an amazing moment!
Are you interested in Fencing, the sport that is a “Cut” above the rest?
