The Piste: french for trackway, or course;

• our name for the ground we fence on;
• it consists of a 2 x 16(ish) metre wide strip, set out as follows:
• (the run back can be any length of 1.5m or more)
• (more fancy epee pistes are made of metal, so that with hits to the floor, the electric stuff is earthed, thus not registering a hit erroneously)

R:   Run back:

• a safety feature, kept clear to allow fencers to come off the piste with out fear of tripping or collisions.

B:   Back line:

• if you are driven back untill you have both feet over this line, your opponent scores a point.

W:   Warning line:

• we are a fair lot, this gives the retreating fencer notice that if they do not pull their socks up, they will go off the end and give a point away.

G:   On Guard line:

• the starting line for all bouts.
• the front foot must be behind this.

C:   Centre line:

• name says it all;
• the scoring apparatus is stationed adjacent to this line so both fencers have an equal view of it.
• the president should also start here, facing the score indicator light-box.