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Sabre Fencing Is An Exciting Sport

By Expert Author: Kyle Kalama | Article Abstract
Word Count: 426 words | Views: 656 view(s)
Sabre fencing is the fast-paced member of the sport of fencing most like old fashioned sword fighting in battlefield conditions. The saber is the "big daddy" in fencing equipment and the largest and heaviest weapon. It is a true sword with sides with an edge, unlike the epee and foil.

Sabre fencing has a totally unique strategy and set of rules making it more challenging and yet more complicated at the same time. Side touches are allowed in this sport and the whole body above the waist is fair game, except for the back of the head, the hands and the wrists. The chance for greater points and more complicated and involved strategies is because double touching is not permitted.

Fencing is derived from the brutal practicalities of real swords used as weapons of warfare, swords that had functional points and edges which enabled them to pierce and slash. The sabre blade is most akin to the fighting sword in both appearance and function, as it is somewhat stiffer than other swords.

Fencing is a sport that is very unusual as it relies less on brute strength and more on speed, agility and strategy whcih makes it available as a sport to both large and small athletes. Women almost always compete with men because size is not an advantage by itself but arm length can be a huge plus.

Fencing equipment is very similar for both men and women with the exception of a special chest protector that shields the breasts for women. The weapons and strategies are basically the same for both sexes, but women generally do choose an epee and foil due to the fact that they are viewed as less aggressive.

Like all fencing, sabre fencing is very formal in rules and etiquette. There are rules of "right of way" determined by who first initiates a move, and much of the terminology is still in French. Attacking motions are called thrusts and slashes and defensive moves are called parries. A score is called a touch. Sabre work depends even more on footwork than epee and foil.

Sabre fencing is not only an Olympic event but also a popular high school and college sport along with epee and foil. While often thought of as an individual sport, fencing is also a great team sport. Generally, teams consist of three people with an alternate, with the alternate fencing only in the event of injury or withdrawal of one of the primary team members. Matches are bound by time limits, with a common structure being three minutes of fencing or eight touches.
Kyle Kalama

About the Author/Author Bio

Kyle has been active in fencing for several years and is really enthusiastic about the sport. Among the favorite sites for getting more fencing information and news is http://www.fencing.net.

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/Sabre-Fencing-Is-An-Exciting-Sport/150457

Article Submitted: 2008-06-27 | This Article has been viewed 656 times.

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