Sabre fencing is the fast-paced member of the sport of fencing most like old fashioned sword fighting in battlefield conditions. The saber is the "big daddy" in fencing equipment and the largest and heaviest weapon. It is a true sword with sides with an edge, unlike the epee and foil.
Sabre fencing has a totally unique strategy and set of rules making it more challenging and yet more complicated at the same time. Side touches are allowed in this sport and the whole body above the waist is fair game, except for the back of the head, the hands and the wrists. The chance for greater points and more complicated and involved strategies is because double touching is not permitted.
Fencing is derived from the brutal practicalities of real swords used as weapons of warfare, swords that had functional points and edges which enabled them to pierce and slash. The sabre blade is most akin to the fighting sword in both appearance and function, as it is somewhat stiffer than other swords.
Fencing is an unusual sport in that it depends far less on brute strength than on agility and strategy making it accessible to many athletes both large and small. Women often compete with men because size alone is not much of an advantage, although arm length can be an asset.
The main difference in fencing equipment for men and women is an option for a special chest protector to shield the breasts, but the weapons are the same and the strategies don't depend much on gender. Women are more likely to compete with epee and foil, though, possibly because they are seen as less aggressive.
Sabre fencing is based on the same type of strict rules and etiquette that govern all other forms of fencing. The person who will start the fence is chosen by way of the rules of "right of way". An attacker aggressively uses slashes and thrusts. To counter him, the defender uses moves called parries. When someone scores, it's called a touch. Even though epee and foil fencing require a lot of footwork, the footwork is even more crucial in sabre.
Sabre fencing is an extremely popular pastime and sporting event. It is even given a place in the Olympic Games. It can be played individually, but can also be played in teams of three players with one alternate available should someone on the team be injured or need to withdraw. Matches generally have time limits, typically three minutes or eight touches.
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Kyle has been active in fencing for several years and is really enthusiastic about the sport. Among the favorite sites for getting more fencing information and news is www.fencing.net/.
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