Ability to own cold weapon, striking blows, but not receiving them, is called fencing in the most general sense of this word (including historical, scenic, real or fighting, educational and training, etc.). If earlier the fencing was considered as martial art, then now it became independent sport.
1. The sports fencing is the representative of that sport which, which was included into the game program at all Olympic Games of the present. Both individual, and group competitions are held. But all the same all matches pass in private, just in group competitions results of all participants of team are summarized. Types of fencing are divided by weapon which is used in matches: foils, sabers or epees.
2. The purpose of the competition of fencers is to put pricks (or in the case with sabers kicks) to the opponent, trying not to allow kicks from it. The one who in a definite time will put bigger number of pricks wins or the first will reach the certain quantity of pricks. If earlier several referees were engaged in fixing of pricks, the electric circuit which signals the sound and light about striking a blow is provided now. Referees only fix observance of rules and, respectively, set off or don't set off the prick. With development of technology innovations appeared: referees in disputed issues can resort to video reviews.
3. There passes the match between fencers on the track from 1.5 to 2 m wide and 14 m long. The track is made of electroconductive material and equipped with the marking: the central line is designated, through 2 m from it initial positions of opponents, side borders and the rear edges are in different directions designated. For 2 m to the edge of the track lines on both sides are designated in order that participants at retreat could monitor the provision and not overstep the bounds of the track. If during the match the opponents overstepped the side bounds, fight stops. If the back border is crossed, then the fencer is punished by the penal prick.
4. At the very first Olympic Games in 1896 medal events only in fencing on foils were held. The foil is the type of the thrust weapon with the flexible blade which length is up to 110 cm, and weight of 0.5 kg, is intended for protection of the hand round to Gardo 12 cm in the diameter. In this type of fencing only those pricks which are put in special metallized or the electrojacket are set off. In the match some rules are important: correctness of the attack (before beginning own attack, it is necessary to parry the attack of the opponent), correctness of the defense (after actions by the weapon at the defense the priority of action passes to weapon of the opponent to the one who was defended). When fixing the prick the match stops, and after adoption by referees of the decision on that, to include or cancel the prick, fight is resumed.
5. Already at the II Olympic Games all three types of fencing, including fencing on epees were presented. The epee is heavier, than the foil, the thrust weapon. The blade her more rigid, and weight reaches 0.77 kg. Blade length the same, as at the foil. Garda in the diameter makes 13.5 cm. Pricks I can be put on all body of the athlete except for the nape. There is no action priority at attacking or defended. The point is received by the one who will put the prick to the opponent earlier. If the difference in striking blows less than 0.04-0.05 with, then pricks are set off to both one, and second party. The exception is made only by pricks at the end of the match at the identical score (here set off the prick to the one who made its the first).
6. One more type of weapon for fencing the saber is considered. It represents the kolyushche-cutting weapon with which it is possible to put not only pricks, as in other types of fencing, but also kicks by the blade. Because of it matches pass more dynamically as it is more difficult to resist to kicks, than pricks. Length is it 105 cm, the weight of 0.5 kg, and the brush and fingers of the fencer defends oval Gardo with the special bracket. Blows can be struck to the upper body of the opponent (everything that is higher than the waist), including the mask. The only thing, it is impossible to strike blows in hands below the wrist. Rules are similar to rules of fencing on foils: also there is the correctness of the attack and defense, in the situation of simultaneous pricks from both participants of the match the priority is set off attacking, opponents try to parry others attack before the organization.
7. Before fight of the referee surely check equipment of athletes (special protective white suit, the mask with the goal net and the goal, gloves, fencing footwear) and existence of spare weapon. Foil fencers over the suit have to put on the metallized vest limiting the struck surface, fencers - the metallized jacket, and epee fencers - nothing as all their body is a struck surface. Through clothes at athletes there pass electric circuits which are connected with the fixing device either the wire system, or wireless.
8. Matches are carried out differently depending on the stage of competitions. Preliminary stages provide fights to 5 pricks and no more than 3 minutes. At final stages 3 rounds 3 minutes are carried out, and between them minute breaks are provided. If the draw is as a result recorded, a minute more of time to the first prick is added. At the beginning of each round of the match the opponents take initial positions and get up sideways to each other (one leg ahead of another), weapon at the same time is directed towards the opponent, and the free hand is taken away back. On the signal of the referee the match begins and proceeds to team "Stand" or the signal of the end of time. Fight every time on the signal of the referee is resumed.
9. Referees monitor observance of all rules of fencing, considering the type of weapon and also impose sentences in the form of penalties or yellow and red (or black that provides send-off) cards in case of disciplinary fouls: attack by run, push or intended contact with the opponent, turn to the opponent back, etc. The chief referee is helped by referees on the different parties of the track.