Fencing

Also known as modern Fencing to distinguish it from historical Fencing, fencing is a family of combat sports using bladed weapons.

Aim of the game: being first to touch his/her opponent with his/her weapon. There are three modern weapons used in fencing: Foil, Epée and Sabre. Each weapon identifies a different discipline of Fencing.

FOIL

FOIL has a flexible rectangular blade with a blunt end supported by a spring. Touch, to be valid, must be brought to the target with the tip. The valid target area is covered by a jacket of conductive fabric laminate ("foil lame"). It is limited to the trunk and also goes from the collar ("lame bib") of the protective mask, except arms and legs. To report the shot, it is necessary that the tip is a force exerted at least equivalent to a weight of 500 grams..

ÉPÉE

ÉPÉE, the traditional sword of duels, has a rigid triangular blade with a point covered by a cone with barbed points. To report the shot, it is necessary that the tip is a force exerted at least equivalent to a weight of 750 grams. Touches may be made on any part of the body. From here the characteristic of white fencing uniforms.

SABRE

SABRE is a flexible triangular blade with a blunt point. Both the point and the cutting edges can be used to score touches, wich must be made on the body, above the waist, including the head and arms. In all events, traditionally, a wire is attached to the sword. This wire runs through the fencer's outfit to a scoring box. When contact is made on the opponent's body a light flashes on and a buzzer sounds to record a hit. Since a few years a new wireless tecnology directly links the sword with the scoring box. In Foil and Sabre, despite the presence of all the gadgetry, it is still the referee's job to analyze the phrase and, in the case of simultaneous hits, to determine which fencer had the right of way.

Competition Format

Over the years, fencing tournaments have used a variety of formats incorporating italian rounds and direct elimination with repechage. The format currently used for the World Cup regulated by the FIE, is a knockout tournament, like boxing or tennis. However, it may depend on the type of race. Particularly in the European Championship, the individual event consists of two parts: preliminary pools of six/seven fencer and direct eliminations.

Individual events

After the pool, the competition is direct knockout all the way to the final. The first competitor to rack up 15 hits or the one who is leading after regular time (3matchesx3mins) wins the combat.

Each match is played to 15 touches. If the score is tied after 9 minutes, one minute of sudden-death overtime is contested. Before the final minute, the referee determinates through a drawing, wich fencer will win should no touch be made in the additional minute.

Team events

Two teams of three fencers and an alternate. Each fencer faces the other 3 fencers from the opposing team (9 bouts). The first team to score 45 points or who is leading after 9x3mins wins. The two fencers rotate after 5 points for one team (or after 3mins), then 10 points (or 6mins), etc. In case of tie, after regular time there can be 1min of extra-time. The fencer (or team) that score the first point wins. If there is still a tie after this minute of extra-time a draw determines the winner.

The first two fencers (one from each team) fence for three minutes or until one of them scores five touches. The next pair takes over for three minutes or untill one team reaches ten points. This continues untill one side reaches 45 points or untill the end of regular time. In case of tied at the end of the regulation time, an additional minute of fencing is allowed. The first team to score a touch wins. As in individual events, by lot the referee determinates the winner should no touch be made in the additional minute.

Technical curiosity

The PISTE consists in a grounded conductive strip on the floor. 14m for the combat zone. 18 m in total lenght. 1,5 or 2m in width.

The RUNWAY: A central line fixes the “on-guard line”, where fencers wait for getting off.

Colour zone indicates that the fencer is close to the out of limits zone. If one fencer crosses this line, a point is awarded to his/her opponent.

OFFICIALS: There is a referee, two judges, a delegate.

Fencing betting

Fencing — elegant, dynamic and entertaining sport that attracts people during the summer Olympics. In the rest of the time fencing goes in the shadow of other sports, and the results of tournament competition are watched mostly by amateur fencers. Fencing lacks the correct presentation to the public and the element of the show as in American sports.

Very few bookmakers take bets on fencing, because the sport isn’t well understood, so it’s not always clear which of fencers a favorite and who is an outsider. If bookmaker add the fencing line, they usually give it low odds.

The outcome. If the end of the time the score is tied, the fencing extra time before the first hit. Although it is actually a draw in this sport there is, but the bookies are taking bets on it on the basis of the results of the ground combat.

To win with a handicap. If you doubt the outsider, it is possible to insure positive handicap , if assured of a favorite, then take it to the victory minus handicap.

On the total. Bet on the total number of pricks inflicted by fencers or the number of points.

The first injection. The bet that will cause the sportsman first shot in the battle.

The number of lots. Bet on the exact number of rounds, or bet on the total games.

Analysis

As is known, in fencing, there are three main types of weapons: epee, foil and saber. At bets it’s necessary to proceed from the assumption on which the instruments will fight sportsmen. If only a prick, the sword can be applied and the impact can be made using rapiers and swords. Also different rules applying attack. Sword can be thrust into any areas of the body other than the occiput area rapier strike is only a torso, a sword is not allowed to hit on the head and legs. Because of all these differences and different techniques of fighting with this weapon. If the battle of the foil and saber is important first of all equipment, then the fencing swords is most important to act immediately.

The fencing is very important agility, so the sportsmen age much inferior to the youth. Pay attention to the style of fencing, someone usually leads the fight in an aggressive offensive tone, and someone uses defensive tactics.

Of course, you need to take into account the position of competitors in the rankings, but these data should be used only in conjunction with viewing the recent fighting sportsmen. Beware of betting players who for a long time did not participate in the tournament, they can be expected anything.

Features of bets on fencing

Be sure to take a good look of fencing rules. Remember that in various tournaments may have different rules, so always focus is on this point.

Big minus fencing bets that bookmakers almost added to this sport in line. Even a major tournament like the European Championship in the offices of the line is not present, accepted bet only to the Olympics and the World Cup.

Even though the bookmakers low odds, fencing lot value markets . This sport is so poorly studied that even analytical departments bookmakers often make mistakes. Surely a good knowledge of fencing will be enough to «beat» the bookmaker line, but very few bettors will want to wait for the whole year of the tournament, which will be held for one week. This pushes the players from betting on fencing.

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