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The target area of a fencer is the area in which a fencer must hit or be hit in order for a touch to be valid.
The valid target area of a foil fencer, shown in red.
In foil, the target area is the whole of the torso, with the exception of the arms. Touches made to the mask are also considered off-target.
A foilist's target is covered with a lamé which, when the tip of another foil is depressed upon it, closes the circuit and registers an on-target light. Touches scored upon any other part of the body register an off-target light.
The valid target of an épée fencer, comprised of the entire body.
In épée, the entire body, including the mask, legs, and feet, is considered valid target.
Unlike in foil and sabre, an épée has two wires which serve to close the circuit when the tip is depressed, producing a light to indicate a touch. This, and the rules of the weapon, effectively eliminates the need for a lamé.
The valid target of a sabre fencer, shown in red.
In sabre, valid target area consists of the entire body from the waist upwards, including the arms and mask.
Since sabre is a slashing weapon, there is no assembled point, like there is in foil or épée; weapons are unwired, so the circuit is only closed when the blade contacts lamé fabric on the lamé itself, the bib of the mask, or the manchette.
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