Fencing 101
Fencing is Chess... at 80 mph. Fencing is the modern decendent of the 17th century art of dueling. Modern fencing is an Olympic summer games event and is, in fact, one of the only original Olympic events. Fencing uses blunt tipped weapons with electronic sensors to determine when and where each participant gets hit.
Participating in fencing does not hurt (except for the occasional muscle ache). The swords are very flexible and the athletes are very well protected. Fencing is unique in that it teaches students to use talents and qualities they already possess (short, tall, intelligence, demeanor, etc.) to disadvantage one's opponent.
Of the U.S. News & World Reports top 25 national universities, 16 have fencing programs and many offer scholarships and about 98% of all collegiate fencers graduate. There are over 70 colleges that recruit competitive fencers including:
- Harvard
- Princeton
- Yale
- Columbia
- NYU
- Rutgers
- St. Johns
- University of Pennsylvania
- Penn State
- Ohio State
- Notre Dame
- Air Force Academy
- University of North Carolina
- Duke
- University of Chicago
- Northwestern
- Stanford
Our recent success stories:
RJ Shipp: Penn State
Adriana Camacho: Notre Dame
The Piste/Strip
Fencing takes place on a piste, with the two fencers facing each other, four meters apart. In modern fencing, the piste is between 1.5 and 2 meters wide, and 14 meters long. There are designated points on the fencing strip; there is the en guard line (this is where the fencers start), the center line, the two meter warning lines and the end of the strip.
Do you want to know more? Here are some FAQs for you!