Advance: Step forward.
Attack: Movements or a series of movements by which a fencer tries
to score a point against his opponent.
Beat: Sharp tap on the opponent's blade to initiate attack or threat
of attack.
Blade: Part of the weapon that extends from the guard.
Counter-Parry: A defensive movement by which the fencer goes around
the opponent's blade and moves the opponent's blade
away.
Disengage: Break of contact between fencers' blades; movements made by
passing the blade under the opponent's blade.
En Garde: Position taken before a bout begins.
Fleche: a running attack.
Guard: Part of the weapon between the blade and the handle; protects
the hand.
Lunge: Most common attack in which the fencer closes the distance by
moving the front leg forward while the back leg remains
stationary and straightens out.
Parry: Defensive action in which a fencer blocks her or his opponent's
blade.
Piste: French term for the fencing strip.
Recover: Return to the en garde position after lunging.
Remise: Attacking again immediately after the opponent's parry of an
initial attack.
Riposte: Defender's counter-attack after parrying an attack.
Strip: Fencing area, 14 meters long by two meters wide.
The three weapons used in modern Olympic sport fencing are: FOIL, EPEE, & SABRE. Here are few facts about each one.
FOIL: Score with point only. Target area is the torso. Length is approximately 35 inches. Weight is less than 1 pound.
EPEE: Score with piont only. Target area is entire body. Length is approximately 35 inches. Weight is 27 ounces.
SABRE: Score with point and blade. Target area is upper body. Length is approximately 35 inches. Weight is less than 1 pound.