by Danielle Dames

Created on: May 09, 2009   Last Updated: May 11, 2009

Fencing is a competitive sport, but in order to determine who wins each point, a scoring method is required. A lame is a jacket, worn by each competitor in electrical fencing competitions.

Containing conductive material of fine nickel or copper wires, it is capable of carrying a small electrical charge. When the jacket is touched by the opponent's weapon, it registers valid points. The charge is not harmful to the Fencer.

Lame requirements and designs vary for the three Fencing competitions - Epee, Foil and Sabre. This is because the target areas - those which score points - are different.

*Epee Fencing has no lame requirement This is simply because the entire body is considered a valid target in Epee Fencing, and as such no differentiation between valid and non-valid hits are required.

*Foil Fencing requires a lame in a vest style jacket, with a crotch strap to secure it and keep it from rising up. This is because the torso is the only valid striking area in Foil Fencing.

*Sabre Fencing demands a lame similar to the Foil lame. The obvious difference is that It includes arms, as the arms are valid targets in Sabre Fencing. There is also a wire for the head and glove connection, as the head and wrist are also valid Sabre Fencing targets.

How it works

As mentioned, Epee does not require a lame. This is because the entire body is a possible target. The Epee weapon contains a small sensor in its tip. When this is pressed down from a hit on the opponent, a point is registered.

Both Foil and Sabre requires the Fencers to register valid hits or strikes in order to score points. A wire travels through the competitor's sleeves, connecting the weapons to the lames and then to a box displaying colored lights. One competitor will register as a green light and the other as red. Non-valid hits will register as a white light.

As with Epee, the Foil has a small tip which registers the hits. When pushed in against the opponent's lame, the electrical circuit completes and the hit is registered, as green or red, depending on who won the point. If the strike is not on target, the white light will be displayed.

In Sabre Fencing, the entire blade can be used, so no sensor sits in the tip - the whole weapon will register a hit. As with Foil, only valid points - strikes to the body or head - will light up in the competitors color (red or green) and non-valid points will glow white.

Purchasing a lame

When purchasing your lame, remember to find one

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