What is the difference between foil, épée and sabre?
B · Beginner · The bout · 1 of 4Three things differ: how a hit is made, where it counts and what happens when both fencers hit. Foil scores with the point on the trunk only. Épée scores with the point anywhere on the body. Sabre scores with the point or the edge above the waist. In foil and sabre a rule of priority decides who scores. In épée both do.
How it works
- Foil: "a thrusting weapon only". Hits are made with the point.
- Foil target: the trunk. It "excludes the limbs and the head" and includes the lower part of the mask's bib.
- Épée: also "a thrusting weapon only".
- Épée target: "the whole of the fencer's body including his clothing and equipment".
- Sabre: "a weapon for thrusting and cutting with both the cutting edge and the back of the blade".
- Sabre target: "any part of the body above a horizontal line drawn between the top of the hip bones".
- Both hit at once, foil and sabre: the referee applies the conventions of priority, commonly called right of way, and at most one fencer scores.
- Both hit at once, épée: "a hit is scored against each competitor".
- The same piste: "Competitions at all three weapons are fenced on the same pistes."
- The same shape of bout: five hits in a pool bout and fifteen in direct elimination, at all three.
- One hand: the weapon is used with one hand only, and a fencer may not change hands during a bout.
The glossary has the foil, the sabre, the valid target, the right of way entry, the double hit and the hit.
Tricky cases
Is a hit on the arm a point?
It depends on the weapon. In épée and sabre it is. In foil the arm is off the target.
Can a foil or épée fencer score with the side of the blade?
No. Both are thrusting weapons only, and hits are made with the point.
Both lights come on. Who gets the point?
It depends on the weapon. In épée both fencers score. In foil and sabre the referee decides who had priority, and may award nothing if the attacks were simultaneous.
Does a hit on the mask count in foil?
No, except on the lower part of the bib, which is part of the foil target.
Why the rule exists
Each weapon keeps the logic of the one it descends from. Foil was the training weapon, where the lesson was to defend before hitting back. Épée copies a duel to first blood, where a hit anywhere counted and so did being hit. Sabre comes from the cavalry sword, used on targets above the saddle.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Foil | Point only, trunk only, priority | FIE t.76; FIE t.77; FIE t.82 |
| Épée | Point only, whole body, double hits count | FIE t.90; FIE t.91; FIE t.92 |
| Sabre | Point and edge, above the hips, priority | FIE t.96; FIE t.97; FIE t.100 |
| Wheelchair fencing | Its own rules, not read | FIE Technical Rules, not covered |
From the rule book
Fédération Internationale d'Escrime, Technical Rules (August 2026), articles t.17, t.21, t.38, t.39, t.76, t.77, t.82, t.90 to t.92, t.96, t.97 and t.100. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: FIE Technical Rules (PDF).