Foil
Target: the torso. The classic starting weapon. Light, fast and tactical — points are scored with the tip, and "right of way" rules reward clean attacking fencing. Most beginners start here.
Fencing is high-speed chess with blades — an Olympic sport of split-second tactics, lightning footwork and total focus. And it's happening in sports halls across Yorkshire every week.
Every fencer finds their weapon. Each has its own rules, rhythm and personality.
Target: the torso. The classic starting weapon. Light, fast and tactical — points are scored with the tip, and "right of way" rules reward clean attacking fencing. Most beginners start here.
Target: the whole body. The duelling weapon. No right of way — whoever hits first scores, even a flick to the toe or wrist. A game of timing, distance and nerve.
Target: everything above the waist. The cavalry weapon. You can score with the edge as well as the point, so it's explosive, aggressive and the fastest of the three.
Clubs across West, North, South and East Yorkshire run beginner courses, junior sessions and open fencing. Most will lend you all the kit for your first sessions.
Fencing has one of the clearest competition ladders in British sport. Here's how it climbs.
Beginner course, club nights and in-house competitions. Everyone starts here.
County and regional opens — your first taste of competition against fencers from other clubs.
National age-group events and championships, building national ranking points.
GB rankings, international circuits and — for the very best — World Championships and the Olympics.
No kit needed. No experience needed. Just turn up in tracksuit bottoms and trainers — your club provides the rest.
How to start