The video was pretty good in it’s explanation of fencing. I have one quibble. Sabre is the fastest weapon in that the tip moves fastest when using a cutting stroke versus the thrusting with the point which is the only option for foil and epee. However, if you consider the movement of the fencer, sabre is not inherently faster. The rules for sabre encourage relentless attacks and full use of the strip. This makes the momentum of the bout quicker, in general, for that weapon. However, even in epee, the speed of motion is often as fast as in sabre.
The speed of fencing does make watching it difficult for a novice. The rule of thumb I have heard is that it takes a couple of years of fencing before you can see what is going on in just watching a bout. I can’t be certain of that since it’s been decades since I’ve had the perspective of a novice. When I watch the Olympic fencing I see so much more than just quick athleticism and the drama of the changing score in the fight. It is immensely pleasurable to see the speed, timing, and counter-play of tactics in these bouts. It was even more pleasurable to have experienced such, high-level, fencing myself. Some of the best experiences of my life has been fencing in World Cups and US National Circuit tournaments. An awesome sport. Even if you just have an opportunity to play around as a novice, take it!
