Historically, fencers used swords, knives, batons, and clubs to fight each other. However, when the first Olympic Game took place in 1896, the weapons were limited to three:
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1. Foil - a light thrusting weapon; the valid target is restricted to the torso, the chest, shoulders, and back; double touches are not allowed. This weapon follows the rule of "right of way".
2. Épée - a heavy thrusting weapon; the valid target area covers the entire body; double touches are allowed. There is no "right of way".
3. Sabre - a light cutting and thrusting weapon; the valid target area is the saddle line, which is from one side of your hip to the other and up, this also includes the head. The target area does not include the hands. This weapon follows "right of way".
The ‘right of way' rule determines which fencer's hit will have priority when both fencers have hit.
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Combat has several actions, offensive and defensive:
• The attack - first offensive action.
• The parry- a defensive action which successfully deflects an opponent's blade.
• The riposte- this is an offensive reaction after a parry, made by the parrying fencer.
• The remise- when a fencer attacks without first withdrawing the arm directly after being parried.
• The counter-attack- is when an offensive action begun by a fencer who is being attacked.
• The reprise- after being parried from the on-guard position, a fencer returns to the on-guard position and restarts the combat.