The foil is the weapon most commonly used by beginners. This weapon has a flexible rectangular blade and is about 35” (88.9cm) long , it weighs less than 1 pound (.45kg). It has a small bell guard (to protect the fencers hand) This weapon is classed as a point weapon, which means that only the point of the blade can score a valid touch. The target area for a foil is the torso from the shoulders to the groin both front and back. This does not include the head or arms. Any touch outside this area is known as off- target and is therefore not valid.

Last updated on 2007-10-20 by Fighting Fit Fencing