The various weapons

Each weapon has it's own specific features that make it work better within the rules that it is fenced by. The target area of a weapon is the parts on an opponent's body you may score points (called "touches") by hitting. A hit elsewhere on the body is called "off target". To learn more click on the links below for each weapon

• Foil
  
• Sabre
  
• Épeé
  

The mask

The jacket

Another piece of essential equipment is the jacket. Just as the mask protects the valuables in your head, the jacket protects your torso and arms. Jackets come in a variety of styles, such as a front-close zipper, a back-close zipper, a button -up jacket, a velcro jacket, and more. They also come in a variety of fabrics from cotton to synthetic fibers. There is no major difference between styles; you should get whatever you're most comfortable wearing. A jacket is very protective and there is not much to worry about even if a blade should break on you, but without a jacket you may be placing yourself in grave risk.

Glove

A fencing glove both helps you to better grip your weapon and protects your hand from your opponent's blade. It may seem less important than the jacket or the mask, but injuries to the hand can severely effect your ability to fence well, so never fence without one.