From: damon@netcom.com (Damon Scaggs)
Subject: Re: electric sabre scoring?
Organization: Netcom Online Communications Services (408-241-9760 login: guest)
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1992 23:40:08 GMT

In article <1992Dec16.160604.1@kean.ucs.mun.ca> dstewart@kean.ucs.mun.ca writes:
>I haven't been a competitive fencer for some time and have not kept up with 
>rule changes and progress in technology.  I have heard, however, that sabre 
>is now fenced with electrical equipment.  If someone could explain to me 
>the physical principles involved, I would be greatful.  In particular, how 
>is a valid cut distinguished from simple contact between edge and target?
>Also, were any rule changes required to accommodate the new equipment?
>
>Thanks, good luck with the new group -- Dan Stewart.


Yes.  Electric sabre is becoming very prevelant.  It is required for all
national events and I suspect will be required for most Sectional events
very soon.  Unfortunately, it is very expensive.  I spent over 550 dollars
on my set.  Granted, I bought FIE equipment, but still...

You wear a lame that is similar to the foil lame except that it covers the
arms and only goes down to the waist.  In addition you have an overglove
piece of lame material that fits over your normal glove and conducts to
the lame.  Finally, you need a special, conduction, mask.  It has lame
material on the bib.  You wear a small mask cord that connects the mask to
a small flap on the back of the lame.  The body cord is a normal foil body
cord.  The weapon uses a normal sabre blade (thank God for small favors).
There is a small plug in the weapon in which you place a capteur (spelling?).
It is a sensor that detects whether or not there is any cutting motion
or just a slap.

The only rule change is the removal of off-target.  There is no more
off-target calls in sabre.  Any cut that does not hit valid target is
considered no.  I find this to be a relatively minor change.

I find electric sabre to be a blast.  Speaking as someone who is primarily
a foil fencer, electric sabre gets rid of most of the problems with the
dry version of the game.  No more fighting to convince side judges.  It
reduces to the same situation as electric foil.  Now, you only need to
convince the director about the right of way calls.  I know I got terribly
frustrated with bad side judge calls.  Another side affect is that hard
hits seem to be reduced.  No more do you need to hit hard to make a judge
see the hit.  The box picks up the light little touches.  At the same time,
the lame provides one more layer of protection.  The net results, is very
few stings.  A much more enjoyable sport.

Some people do have a lot of trouble with the fact that electronic scoring
makes it even easier to hit now.  Lite little flicks that never were seen
by a judge now show up on the box.  This is frustrating the hell out of
old time sabre fencers who have to adjust the way they parry.  Some of
them seem incapable of adjusting to the changes in the game and instead
complain continuously about how terrible sabre has become.  It isn't
terrible, just different.  But I personally think the advantages heavily
outweight the disadvantages.

Damon Scaggs
damon@netcom.com