What Is Fencing?
Fencing is one of the original sports in modern Olympics. It is also an NCAA sport with scholarships available to many universities. The uniqueness of the sport of fencing is in the fact that it is the safest among all the other martial art sports since it requires absolutely no body contact. All points are scored by the tip of a flexible foil, contrary to hands or legs as used in the rest of the martial art sports. Fencing is the sport of swordplay. It is a sport of mind and body discipline that can’t be taken to a street fight or any physical aggression of any kind. The sport of fencing is the second fastest sport on earth. In this sport, you will see two fencers in an intense, powerful, and smart performance on a six-feet-by-40-feet strip of ground. The movement is so fast the touches are scored electrically. Fencers face off on a 14 m x 2 m (you may want to put the equivalent in feet for us metrically dimwitted Americans!) strip with one of three kinds of swords and duel each other not for blood or honor, but points. Fencing is a great example of a sport where you compete on your own, but can also work together as group or team to win a match. Fencing requires strength, speed, balance, and a very sharp mind. A good strategy is perhaps the most important part of the sport, but fair play and sportsmanship are also necessary. Many colleges and high schools have fencing teams. Adult competitions are held between clubs all over the country and the world.
