Section 5: Rules of Play
Foil
- Target: torso (front + back)
- Right-of-way (priority) determines who scores when both touch simultaneously
- Touch with point only
Épée
- Target: entire body
- No right-of-way — both fencers may score simultaneously (double touch)
- Touch with point only
- Hardest weapon to score — full-body target with no priority
Sabre
- Target: entire body above the waist (including arms + head)
- Right-of-way determines simultaneous touches
- Touch with cut OR point
- Fastest weapon — emphasizes speed + tactical preemption
Bout Format
- Individual bout: first to 5 touches (3-minute time limit; if tied, 1-minute sudden-death OT)
- Team bout (relay format): 9 bouts × 5 touches each, accumulating to 45 (or until time limit)