Page 22 - Fencing Booklet

In épée, scoring a valid hit means that a fencer rules, but the broad underlying principles are
will be awarded a touch; if both fencers score a valid hit, both are awarded touches. The tight timing of electric épée (a fencer has no more than 40 milliseconds to return a hit) means that it can be quite difficult for both fencers
to simultaneously hit. In foil and sabre, only one fencer can score a touch at a time. Thus,
a complex set of rules known as “right-of- way” governs situations in which both fencers register hits. There are differences between the two weapons in the application of these
the same. A fencer on the attack has priority over a defending fencer, and a defending
fencer gains priority by parrying or causing
the attacker to miss via use of distance. If
both fencers attack, the referee must judge whose attack had priority by examining who initiated the attack first; if both attacks were initiated simultaneously, no touch is awarded.
A defending fencer can score without right- of-way, provided that the opponent does not register a light; this is known as a counterattack.
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