Fencing

:This article is about the sport. For the structures for dividing property, and the process of erecting them, see fence; or, for other meanings, see fence (disambiguation).

Fencing philosophies

There are four more or less autonomous directions in contemporary fencing:

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• Sports fencing, also know as Olympic fencing. This is the sort of fencing you will see in most competitions (including the Olympic Games). It is conducted according to the rules laid down by the FIE (the international governing body), which are rougly based on the conventions of "practice" fencing developed around XVII-XVIIIcc (then a means of preparing for a duel). Because of technical developments and ideological disagreements, these rules are subject to frequent revisions and ammendments.
• Historical fencing (classical fencing). This type of fencing generally attracts people who feel that contemporary sports fencing has strayed too far from its martial art origins. Some practitioners try to reconstruct old European systems of armed combat. Others only advocate a return to an earlier set of conventions in sports fencing.
• Stage fencing (l'escrime artistique). Here, the purpose is to achieve the maximum theatrical impact. Fights are, generally, choreographed, and fencing actions are somewhat exaggerated. It is not an exclusive preserve of actors and stuntmen - some people do do it as a hobby.
• Academic fencing. This is a German student tradition. In many ways, it is similar to sports fencing: the combat takes place in accordance with a strictly delineated set of conventions, it involves specially designed weapons and protective gear, and the ultimate goal is the development of personal character strength and team spirit. The difference is that the weapons have a sharp edge, and the loser is the first one to bleed.
• SCA fencing Fencing as conducted by members of the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) generally trying to fence in a pre 1600s fashion while still using modern fencing safety gear, usually disguised to pass as period clothing.