Fencing 101
Fencing has been considered a competitive sport since the end of the 19th century. Originally, there were two "schools" for fencing styles; Italian and French. The Italian school modified classic fencing, and the French school refined the Italian system into their own.
Modern fencing uses three types of weapons, and is therefore divided into three divisions; foil, sabre, and épée. Competitive fencers typically specialize in only one weapon/style.
Foil
Foils are flexible, rectangular blades which weigh under three pounds. Points can only be scored by contact with the tip of the foil. In modern tournaments, points are usually recorded electronically, so the tip of the foil is capped with a spring-loaded button that detects sufficient contact. In this context, the foil fencer's jacket (called a lamé) is outfitted with electrical wires that record hits. Foils are the most popular fencing weapons in the competitive scene.
Sabre
Unlike with foils, sabres can gain points from contact with the edges of the blade. This allows sabre fencers to attack very quickly. Male saber fencers are called sabreurs and female saber fencers are called sabreuses. Sabre blades are typically triangular, like the épée, but more flexible. The tip of the blade is folded over itself so the tip isn't sharp.
Épée
The epee is the largest and heaviest fencing weapon. The blade is triangular shaped and stiffer than that of a sabre, as the epee is a thrusting weapon. Like foils, points are scored by making contact with the tip of the blade. The entire body is a valid target area, and therefore epee fencing requires a significant amount of concentration, awareness of surroundings, accuracy, and speed. A successful epee fencer must be good at anticipating their opponents moves and reacting appropriately.