Foil Fencing Rules of the Back Line

Video Transcript

"There is a very special rule, when it comes to stepping off the side that applies especially when you are nearing the back of the strip. So in a bout, if a fencer is giving a lot of ground, if they're retreating, and if they get close to the back and step off the side, a halt will be called. The referee will stop the action as usual. Now the referee is going to do something special. He will measure, he or she will measure exactly one meter, which the opponent who did not step off the edge, can move forward. So if Siri were to move forward a meter, I would have to arrange my distance so that we had appropriate distance between us, so I have to back up that remaining amount. If backing up puts my foot over the back line, then it counts as if I've stepped off the back of the piste, which of course means that I have a touch scored against me. So, it's a penalty that keeps you from jumping over the side if you're nearing the back of the strip, but it becomes really relevant if you're making a hasty retreat in a bout. To when you're nearing the edge of the strip you need to be really aware of, not just the back line, but also of the sidelines. Keep that rule in mind when you're fencing foil. Also, all of these rules are U.S.F.A. rules. We're sticking to those guidelines. So if you are fencing competitively, if you're fencing internationally, even if you're fencing in the U.S. because the rules do change from time to time. You want to check up on those regulations because there are a lot of minute points like that, that like I said, change from time to time that are very particular, and you want to make sure that you have your game straight before you start competing in any association."