Rules & Refereeing
What the rulebook actually says — right of way, covering target, weapon dimensions, and what referees and fencers owe each other.
5 guides
Duck and Cover - Covering Target with the Mask
When is ducking in foil legal and when is it covering target? What FIE t.27, t.29 and t.79 say, and how referees tell a legal duck from an infraction.
FAQ: How Long is a Fencing Sword?
How long is a fencing sword? Foil and epee are 110 cm overall with a 90 cm blade; saber is 105 cm with an 88 cm blade, per FIE Material Rules m.7-m.23.
Fencing Ref: Being a Referee
What fencing referees need from fencers and spectators: understanding of their workload, working space, respectful treatment, and reasonable expectations.
The Unwritten Contract of the Piste: What Referees and Fencers Expect from One Another
The unwritten contract of the piste: what a fencer should expect from a referee, what a referee should expect from a fencer, and why both sides matter.
When does the attack end in foil?
Does the rulebook say when a foil attack ends? No — FIE t.83 defines only when it is correctly executed, while saber's t.101 ties the hit to the front foot.