Foil
A thrusting fencing weapon with rectangular cross-section blade and a small bell guard. Valid touches are made with the blade’s point. The target area comprises of only the torso (shown in red below). Hits to the arms, legs and head are off-target and will result in a halt in play. When using electric fencing equipment a lamé (metal woven jacket) will be worn over the target area, the electric foil has a button switch on the point that needs to be depressed on the opponent’s lamé for a valid hit.

Epée
A thrusting fencing weapon with triangular cross-section blade and a large bell guard that protects the hand. Valid touches are also made with the blade’s point. The whole body is the target area (shown in red below). Epéeists will often target the closest part of their opponent to them, which is usually their sword hand. An electric epée has a push button switch on the point that completes a circuit when it is depressed. As the whole body is a target, no lamé needs to be worn.

Sabre
A cut and thrust fencing weapon with a flat blade and knuckle guard, used with cutting or thrusting actions. The target area is anything above the waist, including the head and arms (shown in red below). When using electric fencing equipment a lamé (metal woven jacket) will be worn over the target area, this covers the arms and torso above the waist. A conducting mask must also be worn, and must be attached to the lamé. To make a valid hit, the sabre’s blade must make contact with the opponent’s lamé.