Last updated: 3 August 2026
Reviewed by Jordan Makin, FA Level 2 Football Coach
Four free fencing tools covering bout scoring, weapon comparison, calorie burn, and footwork distances. Covers all three Olympic weapons: foil, épée, and sabre.
The three fencing weapons
Foil: thrusting weapon, torso-only target area, right-of-way rules apply. Épée: thrusting weapon, entire body is valid target, no right-of-way — simultaneous touches score for both fencers. Sabre: cutting and thrusting weapon, upper body target area (arms and head included), right-of-way rules apply. The right-of-way convention in foil and sabre determines who scores when touches are simultaneous — the attacker (initiator of the action) typically scores over the defender.
All fencing tools
8Fencing Bout Score Tracker
Track a fencing bout — pool bouts to 5 touches or direct elimination to 15.
Open toolFencing Weapons Guide: Foil, Épée & Sabre
Understand the three fencing weapons and how their rules and target areas differ.
Open toolFencing Calorie Calculator
Estimate calories burned fencing by intensity and bodyweight.
Open toolFencing Distance & Footwork Guide
Understand fencing distance (measure) and the core footwork that controls it.
Open toolRight-of-Way Guide
Who scores when both fencers hit at once, explained.
Open toolElectric Equipment Guide
Lamé, body cords and the scoring box explained.
Open toolCard & Penalty Guide
Yellow, red and black cards — what triggers each one.
Open toolFootwork Drill Timer
Timed advance-retreat, lunge and compound drill sequences.
FencingFrequently asked questions
What are the target areas in each fencing weapon?
Foil: torso only (front and back) — arms, legs, and head do not score. Épée: entire body including hands, feet, and head — any touch anywhere scores. Sabre: upper body including arms and head, but legs do not score. These target differences fundamentally change tactics — in épée, hand hits are common; in sabre, head cuts are prevalent; in foil, body control and distance management dominate.
What is right-of-way in fencing?
Right-of-way (priority) is the rule in foil and sabre that determines who scores when both fencers land simultaneous touches. The attacker (the fencer who initiated the offensive action) has right-of-way. The defender must parry (deflect the blade) and riposte (counter-attack) to gain right-of-way. Épée has no right-of-way — simultaneous touches score for both.
What equipment do I need to start fencing?
Essential equipment: a mask (weapon-specific), jacket, glove (for the sword hand), plastron (underarm protector), breeches or long trousers, long socks, and a weapon. Clubs typically provide equipment for beginners. Buying your own complete set costs approximately £150–£400 for entry-level gear. Épée is often recommended for beginners because the scoring is more intuitive (any touch anywhere scores, no right-of-way to learn initially).