How to Score in Fencing

Scoring in fencing seems straightforward: whichever weapon touches a legal location on the opponent scores a point. But like any sport, fencing uses a number of factors to determine who scores. Learning them can greatly enhance your appreciation of the sport.

Instructions

1. Note the fencing style governing the match. Modern fencing uses three different styles, each of which has different rules for scoring. The foil scores hits on the main body of the opponent struck with the tip of the blade. The sabre can use the flat of the blade and the tip; the arms and head are legal targets. The epee can score hits on the entire body, as well as allowing double hits and foregoing the right-of-way rules.

2. Decide which fencer had priority during the touch. Foil and sabre fencing require the fencer to have the right of way (to initiate an attack first or to successfully execute a parry last) before he can score. This system avoids the confusion of a double touch, in which both fencers score a hit simultaneously. It also theoretically encourages sounder techniques, preventing the fencer from leaving himself vulnerable in order to score a touch.

3. Make sure the defending fencer did not execute a riposte. When defending, you normally cannot score but must work to parry the attack instead. However, a successful parry allows you to make a riposte or counterattack, which gives the defender the right of way.

4. Discover if the touch was on-target. An off-target touch (one that strikes the body but not a legal area) will stop the match without resulting in a score. In electric scoring, that usually means that a white light goes on to the side of the fencer who scored the touch, rather than a colored light, which indicates a legal score.

5. Determine how many legal touches are required to take the match. Most fencing matches go to five touches, but some go to ten or fifteen. Furthermore, some scoring systems require a fencer to win by at least two touches, meaning that the match will continue past the normal number of touches until one fencer goes ahead of his opponent by two.

Tips & Warnings

• Even when electric scoring is used, it often helps to have a judge present to observe and mark the scores by hand. It serves as a good backup and can help clear up any controversies that may arise.