RedDevil Fencing Club of Lowell High School
Proudly Sponsored by ffC Fencing Co.
Funded in part by a grant through the Crown Point Community Foundation
Frequently Asked Questions
Fencing is an amazing but less well-known sport in the US, especially in the midwest. For that reason, we will provide a place for answers to questions that we receive on a fairly frequent basis. If you believe a question should be included, please use the contact page to send us the suggestion! General fencing questions are numbered in white font; RDFC specific questions are numbered in black.
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What is fencing?
Fencing is an Olympic sport made up of three weapons that utilize different parts of the blade to score touches on designated areas of the body. Fencers use a strip 46ft long and approximately 5ft wide and touches are scored by a director with the use of electronic scoring equipment. These weapons are foil, sabre, and epee, which will each be covered separately.
What is a foil?
Foil is one of three weapons fenced in competitive or Olympic fencing. The foil is a slender, flexible blade with a small circular guard above the grip to protect the hand. Foilists can only score with the tip of the blade and target area consists of the torso (including the chest, back, groin, and neck [starting in 2014 for high school fencers]). Foilists must initiate an attack in order to gain "right of way" which is needed to score.
What is a sabre?
Sabre is one of three weapons fenced in competitive or Olympic fencing. The sabre is a slender, flexible blade with a guard that surrounds the hand for protection. Sabreurs can score with any part of the blade, so cutting rather than stabbing is the preferred action. Target area consists of everything above the waist with the exception of the hands. Sabreurs must initiate an attack in order to gain "right of way" which is needed to score.
What is an epee?
Epee is one of three weapons fenced in competitive or Olympic fencing. The epee is a thicker, sturdier blade with a large, circular guard that completely covers the hand for protection. Epeeists can only score with the tip of the blade and the entire body is target area. There is no "right of way" in epee, so both competitors can score a touch off of one action if both fencers hit their opponent.
How do I join RDFC?
Joining RDFC is easy! Talk to Coach McPheeters or Coach Skurka, fill out the required forms and sign them with your parents, pay your dues, and order your required equipment. Specifics will be added soon!
How do I become eligible for competitions?
In order to be competition eligible, fencers must maintain good standing based on the club's Code of Conduct, attend the two practice minimum, and have dues paid in full and own their whites.