Page 19 - Fencing Booklet

Fencing Area
The piste, or fencing strip, made of metal or another conductive material, is between 1.5 and 2 metres (4.9 and 6.6 feet) wide and 14 metres (46 feet) long, with an extension, or runback, of 1.5 metres at either end. The piste has a centre line, en-garde lines, warning lines, and rear limit lines. At either end of the piste there is a spool, or reel, which contains 20 metres (66 feet) of cable. Fencers each attach their bod cord to the nearest spool, which retracts and extends as they move up and down the piste. The spools
are in turn attached to the scoring box, which will light up and make noise when a hit is registered. Wireless scoring systems are used for the highest forms of competition, obviating the need for spools.
A bout starts with the fencers in the en-garde position, 4 metres (13.1 feet) apart. A referee stands opposite the piste, facing the scoring box, in order to judge the bout.
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