For spectators & new athletes
How Scoring Works
كيف يُحتسَب التسجيل
Fencing scoring confuses almost everyone the first time. Here\'s the 6-minute explainer, the electric box, target areas, priority, bout length, and how to read the referee. See glossary for individual terms.
The electric scoring box
جهاز التسجيل الكهربائي
A central box connects both fencers via a retractable body cord and wire reels. When a valid hit lands, an electric circuit closes and the box signals a light, red on one side, green on the other. White means an invalid hit (foil/sabre only, off-target). The referee reads the lights + interprets priority to award the touch.
Valid target (by weapon)
منطقة الهدف (حسب السلاح)
Foil: torso only (neck, chest, back, waist). Anything below the waist or on the arms/head is off-target. Épée: the entire body, feet included. Sabre: everything above the waist (head, torso, arms). Foil and sabre use a conductive lamé over the target area.
Priority (right of way)
الأحقّية
In foil and sabre, when both fencers hit at the same time, only one gets the point, the one who had priority. Priority is earned by extending the arm first and maintaining a threat. A correctly-timed parry takes priority from the attacker and gives it to the defender, who then ripostes. Épée has NO priority, both fencers score if they hit within 1/40th of a second ("double touch").
Bout length
مدة المباراة
Pool bouts: 5 touches or 3 minutes. Whoever hits 5 first, or has more touches when time runs out, wins. DE bouts: 15 touches or three 3-minute periods with 1-minute breaks. If tied after regulation, a 1-minute priority round decides, one fencer is randomly assigned priority and wins if still tied at the end.
Cards
البطاقات
Yellow = warning. Red = point to the opponent (also for next infraction of same type after yellow). Black = expulsion from the event. Common reasons: turning the back, refusing salute, corps-à-corps (body contact in foil/sabre), dangerous fencing, unsportsmanlike conduct.
Spectator shortcut
مفتاح المشاهد
Watching foil or sabre? When the light flashes, watch the referee. Hands pointed at a fencer = that fencer scored. Hands together in front = both hit simultaneously (decision by priority). White light = off-target, no score. Épée is easier: any light on either side = that side scored.