by either fencer at one time. If both fencers hit at the same time, the referee uses the rules of right of way to determine which fencer gets the point. Sabre fencing – uses a saber, a light cutting and thrusting weapon, targeting the entire body above the waist, excluding the off hand. Hits with the edges of the blade as well as the tip are valid. As in foil, touches which land outside of the target area are not scored. However, unlike foil, these off-target touches do not stop the action, and the fencing continues. In the case of both fencers landing a scoring touch, the referee determines which fencer receives the point for the action, again through the use of "right of way". Épée fencing – uses an épée, a heavier thrusting weapon, targeting the entire body. All hits must be with the tip and not the sides of the blade. Touches hit by the side of the blade do not halt the action. Unlike foil and sabre, Épée does not use right of way, and allows simultaneous hits by both fencers. However, if the score is tied at the last point and a double touch is scored, nobody is awarded the point. History of fencing History of fencing Predecessors of modern fencing weapons Khopesh Bronze Age sword Rondel dagger Longsword Rapier Small sword History of the foil History of the épée Historical European Martial Arts Italian school of swordsmanship Bolognese Swordsmanship French school of fencing Ecole Française d'Escrime German influence Fechtbuch German masters Johannes Liechtenauer Paulus Hector Mair Joachim Meyer Classical fencing Academic fencing (or "Mensur") History of dueling History of martial arts Facilities Strip (Piste) – The fencing area, roughly . The last two metres on each end is hash-marked, to warn a fencer before he/she backs off the end of the strip. Retreating off the end of the strip with both feet gets a touch against. Going off the side of the strip with one foot halts the fencing action. Going off the side with both feet gets a penalty of the loss of one metre. After each touch, fencers begin again at the center of the strip, 4 metres apart. Equipment and gear Weapons Olympic weapons and their parts Épée – A fencing weapon with triangular cross-section blade and a large bell guard; also a light dueling sword of similar design, popular in the