Fencing

• It is mandatory that fencers must salute each other before the competition commences. Refusing to do so or forgetting this may lead to disqualification.
• Foil and sabre fencing encourages strategic moves rather than random poking. The fencer should touch his opponent and points are credited for each hit. Whichever participant scores 15 points first wins the game.
• The strip area, where the match occurs, should be flat, with the surface measuring between 1.5 m to 2 m wide and 14 m long. Five lines should be drawn on the strip area and the first line set at 0 m signifies out of bounds. The lone at 5 m is called the first on-guard line, the center line is at 7 m, second on-guard line is at 9 m and other rear limit line is at 14 m.
• Every touch rewards a point to the competitor and hence, the target area is very important. In case of a foil, the valid target areas are between the trunk and the upper limit of the collar. Valid target areas for epee weapon include the whole body, including the clothing and the equipment. The valid touch area for saber includes any part of the body above the horizontal line drawn between the top of the thigh and hip area when the fencer is in the on-guard position.
• The competitor should wear all of the required protective equipment during competition.
• The competition is held at the competitor’s risk.
• The fencer is permitted to use only one hand until the end of the bout unless the referee gives a special permission because of some injury on hand.
• Any touch made by the competitor after passing the opponent is annulled, only those touches made as a fencer passes his opponent are valid.
• The fencer must not hold any part of the electrical object under any circumstances during competition.
• If a fencer cannot complete his bout for whatever reason, his opponent is declared winner.