when swords are not in contact
to step forward
the last three fingers of the sword hand
the process of describing actions occurring in a fight, usually a phrase preceding a hit
creating an angle between the weapon and the sword arm by flexing the wrist and pronating or supinating the sword hand
a valid hit which is disallowed because of an infringement of the rules or a technical fault
beating the ground with the ball of the foot, either as a ‘front foot’ or ‘rear foot’ appel
friendly combat between two fencers
an initial offensive action made by extending the sword arm and continuously threatening the opponent’s target
ducking or moving sideways to avoid being hit
The edge of a sabre blade opposite to that of the cutting edge
a short, sharp jump forwards; usually used as a preparation.
a fight-off to determine a result in the event of a tie
crisp striking movement of the opponent’s blade creating a deflection, or obtaining a reaction; used as a preparation
a soft, padded attachment to the lower part of the mask to protect the neck and throat
taking of the foible of the opposing blade diagonally from high to low line, or vice versa
the main component of a sword on which the hilt is mounted
wire worn under a fencer’s clothing to connect the sword terminal to the retractable spool cable, when using the electrical apparatus
a fight for a specific number of hits
stepping back
white, knee-length trousers made of robust material; side fastening must be on the non-sword-arm side, and legs must have fastenings below the knees
when a pause is introduced into an action which is normally performed in one movement
actions which are performed with an unacceptable level of force or violence which causes discomfort to the opponent
soft covering over a non-electric foil or epee point
the rhythm in which a sequence of movements is made
a parry formed by giving way to an opponent who is taking the blade
a beat made after passing under or over the opponent’s blade
re-engagement of the opponent’s blade on the opposite side by passing under or over it
shields the breast, sternum and ribs from strikes when fencing
deflection of the opponent’s attacking blade by making a circle with the sword point
Licensed BF Competitions that take place using the official wheelchair equipment where classification is required.
“The British National Wheelchair Championships is a Classified Wheelchair event – restricted to fencers eligible to compete for GBR and who hold a classification.”
when two fencers are close together but can still wield their weapons
aggregate of individual bouts or team matches required to determine a winner
two or more single actions performed together as one continuous action
an attack comprising one or more feints
two or more consecutive takings of the blade, alike or different, with no loss of blade contact
riposte comprising one or more feints
the rules governing the method of fencing for each weapon
bell-shaped guard of a foil or epee
bodily contact between the fencers in a bout
the action of extending the sword arm and grazing lightly down the opponent’s blade, maintaining contact throughout
the offensive action made while avoiding, or closing the line against, an opponent’s attack
an indirect action which deceives a change of engagement
see counter attack
see circular parry
a riposte following the successful parry of the opponent’s riposte or counter-riposte
an action made by the attacker into a counter attack which is provoked by the opponent
see cut-over
the taking of the foible of the opposing blade from high to low line, and vice versa, on the same side as the engagement
a moulded grip with finger protrusions, used on foils and epees
a hit at sabre made by striking with the edge of the blade
an indirect action made by passing the blade over the opponent’s point
not being hit by the opponent’s offensive actions, either by parrying, avoiding, or moving out of distance
actions made after a pause; usually attacks or ripostes
evasion of the opponent’s attempt to beat or take the blade while the sword arm is straight and the point is threatening the target
when both blades break contact
extension of the sword arm accompanied by the lunge
deflecting the opponent’s attacking blade by moving from a high line guard to a low line guard on the opposite side and vice versa
actions made without passing the blade under or over the opponent’s blade
method of competition organisation where winners are promoted to the following rounds and losers are eliminated after one fight
by taking part in a fencing competition, fencers ‘pledge their honour’ to observe the rules for competitions and the decisions of judges and to be respectful towards the president and the members of the jury
indirect action made by passing the blade under or over the opponent’s blade
turning or ducking to remove the target area from its normal position, resulting in the non-valid target being substituted for the valid target
to be eliminated from a competition due to cheating or bad behaviour, or by default, e.g. late arrival
a compound attack which deceives the opponent’s circular parry
when both fencers choose exactly the same moment to make an offensive action
in epee only; after the time has expired, if both competitors have received the same number of hits (or neither has scored a hit), they are counted as both having received the maximum number of hits being fought for, and a defeat is scored against each, except in direct elimination where the fight goes on without limitation of time until there is a result
in epee only, when both competitors register a hit on each other simultaneously, the difference of time between the two hits being less than 1/25 of a second
A loss of contact between the first and second prise de fer
seeding of fencers to determine the bouts in a competition
actual fencing time allowed during a bout, ie a stop clock is started at the beginning of a bout, stopped each time the president halts the fencers and started again when the bout is restarted
guards of electric weapons must be earthed correctly so that weapon hits do not register on them
when using electrical equipment, metal pistes must be correctly earthed so that hits do not register on them
a pad worn on the fencer’s sword-arm elbow for protection
an electric box with red and green lights to register valid hits at foil, epee and sabre and white lights to register non-valid hits at foil. The apparatus is mounted centrally, adjacent to the piste and connected by floor leads to spools with retractable cables placed at both ends of the piste, to which the fencers connect their body wires
foils, epees and sabres suitable for use with electrical apparatus
when both blades are in contact
the taking of the foible of the opponent’s blade by making a complete circle and maintaining continual contact throughout
threatening movement of the blade made with the intention of provoking a parry or similar response
when fencers are fencing each other it should be possible to draw a theoretical straight line running through both leading feet and rear heels
This is the term used to reference the FIE style of fencing, which is performed standing and is currently in the Olympic games, or any fencing done standing and not specific to a disability or impairment. It’s best not to use the term non-disabled fencing to reference this style, as there are likely many athletes who consider themselves disabled but still take part.
the side of the trunk of body on the sword-arm side
two judges who watch for floor hits when electric epee is used without a metal piste
the flexible half of the blade further away from the hilt
the half of the blade nearer to the hilt
deflecting the opponent’s blade by opposition of ‘forte to foible’ while blades are engaged
the part of the hilt to protect the sword hand
fencing positions – see prime, seconde, tierce, quarte, quinte, sixte, septime, octave
the position of the target above a theoretical horizontal line mid-way through a fencer’s trunk
the assembled parts of the sword excluding the blade, ie the guard, pad, grip and pommel
To strike the opponent with the point of the sword clearly and distinctly and with character of penetration. A cut with a sabre
a system used in competition to determine a fencer’s seeding after the first rounds. The first indicator is expressed as a ratio of the number of victories and the number of fights and the second indicator is the number of hits scored minus the number of hits received
an offensive action made by first passing the blade under or over the opponent’s blade
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement.
theoretical divisions of the target, corresponding to fencing guards
position of the target below a theoretical horizontal line mid-way through a fencer’s trunk
a method of getting closer to an opponent with acceleration to make an attack and while maintaining balance and making it possible for a rapid recovery to On Guard
the index finger and thumb of the sword hand
the loop of tape or leather attached to the grip and held to prevent a non-electric foil from flying out of the hand in the event of being disarmed
electrically-conductive material covering the piste in order that hits on the floor do not register on the electrical apparatus
low line, semi-supinated guard on the sword-arm side
the stance adopted in fencing
a compound attack which deceives the opponent’s simple parry
starting a movement with no prior knowledge of how it will finish, relying on reflexes to adjust and make the correct ending
blade movement maintaining constant contact with the opponent’s blade
general term for moulded grips of various designs used on foils and epees
Paralympic Classified Fencers that compete in World Para Fencing events (includes all that represent GBR).
Our squad of para fencers is currently the most successful squad in the history of Para Fencing.
We use this term to refer to paralympic classified fencers on the Paralympic pathway and those in the World Class Programme, including those participating in World Para Fencing and Paralympic events.
The disciplines of Fencing that are adapted for Paralympic Eligible disabilities. Longer term this can include visual impairment for instance.
BF will refer to any licensed events that include wheelchair fencing that require classification as ‘para fencing events’.
Used when referring to WPF international Wheelchair Fencing events.
An athlete who wishes to compete as a para fencer and has an Eligible Impairment that complies with the relevant Minimum Impairment Criteria for para fencing.
Further info:
An athlete who wishes to compete in a sport must have an Eligible Impairment that complies with the relevant Minimum Impairment Criteria for that sport. Different sports have different eligibilities and minimum impairment criteria.
The following Impairment types are relevant for Para Fencing:
To count for classification, impairments must meet minimum eligibility criteria under the IPC Classification Code and be measurable, constant, and sport-specific.
The Eligible Impairments and Minimum Impairment Criteria are set down in the BF Para Fencing Classification Rules*. The Minimum Impairment Criteria ensures that an athlete’s Eligible Impairment affects the extent to which an athlete is able to execute the specific tasks and activities fundamental to the sport.
For Para Fencing classification, there are 5 classes , which are currently assigned into three categories for competition: A, B and C. Athletes in category A have the least impact from their impairment type(s) and category C the greatest.
defensive action to deflect an opponent’s attack by opposing forte to opponent’s foible
the teaching of a movement in parts, i.e. isolating the parts of the movement demanding most skill and practising them in isolation; then putting the parts together to make a whole movement
a step forwards with an appel from the rear foot at the same time as the front foot lands
a sequence of fencing movements performed without a break
the field of play on which a bout takes place
a half-jacket with no underarm seam, worn for extra protection on the sword arm under the fencing jacket; also a padded over-jacket worn by a fencing coach when giving individual training
a metal cap screwed to the end of the blade which locks the parts of the weapon together and provides a counter-balance to the blade
the grouping of fencers or teams in a competition
the movement of blade or foot to obtain the best position from which to make an attack
high line, pronated guard on the non-sword-arm side
the execution of a parry by the defender’s forte opposing the attacking foible, i.e. ‘opposition of forte to foible’
the right of way gained by the fencer at foil and sabre by extending the sword arm and continually threatening the opponent’s target
see bind, croise, envelopment
actions made with the sword point continually moving towards the opponent’s target
the position of the sword hand with the knuckles uppermost
high line, semi-supinated guard on the non-sword-arm side
low line, pronated guard on the non-sword-arm side at foil and epee; and a high guard at sabre to protect the head
the bringing of both feet together, either forwards or backwards, so that the heels are touching with the feet at right angles and the body in an upright position
the return to the On guard position
the renewal of an action after being parried by replacing the point on the target in a different line to the original action
the renewal of an action after being parried by replacing the point on the target in the line of the original action
the competition formula which gives losers of a direct elimination bout a second chance to stay in the competition
the renewal of an action made with a lunge by first returning to guard forwards or backwards
an offensive action following a successful parry of an attack
An all-encompassing term to describe everyone that sits down to participate in fencing for any reason in any type of seat.
Further info:
This refers to the wider community of fencers who sit in a chair or wheelchair to fence, at the club and national level, but who may not be classified or classifiable as a Paralympic athlete.
To be used when describing the grassroot recreational community activity.
The activity of fencing sitting down. All fencing activity in a SwordSeat.
“Trying fencing sitting down can be the first step on the pathway to participating in the sport of Wheelchair Fencing.”
At BF we use the term Seated Fencing:
To market the sport to a wider catchment of individuals and potential partners who can support the growth of the sport.
When we are working with clubs to introduce fencing for the first time to new people who have no experience of the sport, might not use a wheelchair, are unable to take part in standing fencing, but really want to try the sport. This activity would take place in the SwordSeat (or in a fixed wheelchair and frame if a club has one).
Any recreational event where there is fencing offered in SwordSeats and/or wheelchairs not in frames. The full framed wheelchair equipment may be also available to try.
low line, pronated guard on the sword-arm side
low line, semi-supinated guard on the non-sword-arm side
high line, semi-supinated guard on the sword-arm side
STANDING FENCING
This is the term used to reference the FIE style of fencing, which is performed standing and is currently in the Olympic games, or any fencing done standing and not specific to a disability or impairment. It’s best not to use the term non-disabled fencing to reference this style, as there are likely many athletes who consider themselves disabled but still take part.
Two or more consecutive parries made to defend against compound attacks
the position of the sword hand with the finger-nail uppermost
The SwordSeat™ is a chair for community use as part of the development of a seated fencer. It references a piece of equipment that has been specifically designed to bring down the cost and overcome storage challenges for fencing clubs and community groups to deliver introductory seated fencing opportunities, with or without a disability.
“The SwordSeat™ is our response to the prohibitive cost and equipment requirements of wheelchair fencing.”
the part of the blade on which the hilt is mounted
high line, pronated guard on the sword-arm side
Fencers that participate in the sport of Wheelchair Fencing. There is no requirement to be classified.
We do not restrict anyone from referring themselves as a wheelchair fencer, in fact we would encourage anyone at any level of the sport, whether it be using a SwordSeat or using a fixed frame and wheelchair.
“We run wheelchair fencing classes at our club, using the SwordSeat because it’s cheaper.”
This term can be used interchangeably when talking about Para fencers who compete in the Wheelchair Fencing competitions.
It can also be used for fencers who are competing in BF competitions but are not yet classified, or do not meet the classification requirements.
This is the discipline of fencing that requires the use of specialised Wheelchair equipment. Wheelchair Fencing refers to the sport. Classification is not required.
“The British Open is a Wheelchair Fencing Competition”. BF will refer to any licensed events that include wheelchair fencing events that are not requiring classification as ‘wheelchair fencing events’.
Licensed BF Competitions that take place using the official wheelchair equipment with no classification required.
“The British Open Wheelchair Championships is a Wheelchair Fencing Event for Wheelchair fencers”
The Regional Novices Wheelchair Event- This competition will provide an opportunity for seated fencers to experience their first wheelchair fencing event. Wheelchairs will be supplied.
The International Federation that runs World Para Fencing. A member federation of the International Paralympic Committee.
Further info:
They also run Para Dance Sport, Frame Running, Powerchair Hockey, Wheelchair slalom, and Frame football.
From the World Abilitysport website:
“World Abilitysport is one of the world’s leading organisations for the development of Para sports. Alongside a membership of more than 80 countries around the world, World Abilitysport is passionate about offering as many competition opportunities as possible for athletes with physical impairments.”
A department of World Abilitysport who are responsible for para fencing.
World Para Fencing use both wheelchair fencing and Para fencing to describe the sport.
World Para Fencing are hoping to expand their reach to other disciplines (not just wheelchair fencing) such as VI fencing in the future.
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