Fencing words, in the order you need them
Start with the beginner words and you can follow a match. Each level builds on the one before.
Already know some? Search all 64 words and 16 rules
Words
- Piste
- Bout
- Fencer
- On guard
- Referee
- Mask
- Fencer's salute
- Pool
- Direct elimination
- Team match
- Deciding hit
- Fencing time
- Foil
- Épée
- Sabre
- Hit
- Right of way
- Electrical scoring apparatus
- Winning a bout
- Valid target
- Double hit
- Penalty hit
- Hit off the target
- Simultaneous action
- Fencing phrase
- Point in line
- Stop hit
- Remise, redoublement and reprise
- Dérobement
- Lunge
- Parry
- Riposte
- Advance
- Feint
- Attack
- Flèche
- Flick
- Attack by beating
- Disengage
- Compound attack
- Circular parry
- Tempo
- Second intention
- Distance control
- Preparation
- Leaving the piste
- Yellow card
- Red card
- Black card
- Unwillingness to fight
- Using the non-sword hand
- Turning the back
- Passing
- Late arrival
- Lame
- Body cord
- Corps à corps
- Equipment check
- Spare equipment
- Video refereeing
- Judges
- Video referee
- Groups of offences
- Brutality
Rules
- What is the difference between foil, épée and sabre?
- How big is a fencing piste, and what do the lines mean?
- How many hits win a fencing bout, and how long does it last?
- What do the referee's commands mean in fencing?
- What happens when a fencer steps off the piste?
- How does a fencing team match work?
- What is right of way in fencing?
- What happens when both fencers hit each other at the same time?
- What is "point in line", and what is a beat attack?
- Where can you hit in foil, and what happens if you hit somewhere else?
- How is épée different from the other fencing weapons?
- What are the special rules of sabre?
- What do the yellow, red and black cards mean in fencing?
- What happens if neither fencer attacks?
- How do video reviews work in fencing?
- Are fencers allowed to touch each other, turn round or use their free hand?