Foil (fencing)

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A foil is a type of weapon used in fencing.

It is a very thin weapon with a blunted (or foiled) tip. Foils are designed only for thrusting. They are flexible enough to bend upon striking an opponent, in order to prevent injuries. There are three main types of foil, the most common being the French style, with a grip (handle or hilt) designed to facilitate greater finesse. Other types include the Italian style, which is designed more for control and power, and the orthopedic, or pistol-grip, which takes the need for a firm hold on the weapon even further. Critics of the pistol-grip, however (who are almost invariably adherents of the classical philosophy), claim that this leads to a "deathgrip" on the foil that sacrifices speed and maneuverability, which they claim to be superior, for strength and stability (viewed as inferior by such critics), thus inhibiting true mastery.

History

The modern foil is descended from the training weapon for the small-sword, a lighter version of the rapier that was the common sidearm of the 18th century gentleman. (Rapier and even longsword foils are also known to have been used, but they were very different in terms of weight and use.)

The target area for modern sport foil is said to come from a time when fencing was practised with limited safety equipment.

The controversial "flick" technique (see below) is said to have originated in the 1980's with the introduction of the pistol grip.

Foil Today

Image:Fencing foil valid surfaces.svg In modern sport fencing, the foil is used as a thrusting weapon only. Modern foils average 35 inches or 89cm in length, and have standardized, tapered, quandragular blades.

To score a touch one must touch an opponent with the tip of the foil with a force of at least 4.90 newtons (500 grams-force).

As with any fencing weapon, protective equipment must be worn when fencing with foils; this includes a jacket, glove, mask, and knickers. In electric fencing, the foil's tip must be depressed while in contact with the opponent's lamé (wire-mesh jacket which covers valid target area) to score a touch.

In 2005, foil underwent a major rules change: the tip must now be depressed for 15 milliseconds in order to register a hit. This was primarily done to discourage the action known as "flicking", in which a fencer attempts to score a touch by whipping his or her blade towards the opponent. The flick could be used to circumvent classical parries, and many considered the action to be detrimental to the sport of fencing. Whether the new timing has succeeded in eliminating the flick is a matter of debate.

See also

• Sabre (fencing)
• Épée
• Fencing
• List of American foil fencers

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