Sabre fencing is the fast-paced member of the sport of fencing most like old fashioned sword fighting in battlefield conditions. The saber is the "big daddy" in fencing equipment and the largest and heaviest weapon. It is a true sword with sides with an edge, unlike the epee and foil.

Sabre fencing has a totally unique strategy and set of rules making it more challenging and yet more complicated at the same time. Side touches are allowed in this sport and the whole body above the waist is fair game, except for the back of the head, the hands and the wrists. The chance for greater points and more complicated and involved strategies is because double touching is not permitted.

Fencing is derived from the brutal practicalities of real swords used as weapons of warfare, swords that had functional points and edges which enabled them to pierce and slash. The sabre blade is most akin to the fighting sword in both appearance and function, as it is somewhat stiffer than other swords.

Fencing is an unusual sport in that it depends less upon brute strength, and more upon agility and strategy. This unique aspect makes this sport accessible to many more athletes. Women can even compete with men since mere size provides little advantage. However, greater arm length can be an asset in this sport.

Fencing equipment is very similar for both men and women with the exception of a special chest protector that shields the breasts for women. The weapons and strategies are basically the same for both sexes, but women generally do choose an epee and foil due to the fact that they are viewed as less aggressive.

Like all fencing, sabre fencing is very formal in rules and etiquette. There are rules of "right of way" determined by who first initiates a move, and much of the terminology is still in French. Attacking motions are called thrusts and slashes and defensive moves are called parries. A score is called a touch. Sabre work depends even more on footwork than epee and foil.

Epee, foil and sabre fencing all enjoy popularity as high school and college sports. Sabre fencing, in fact, is an Olympic event. Matches are timed, commonly three minutes or eight 'touches' long for sabre. When played as a team sport, the fencing team consists of three fencers with an alternate, who is only permitted to participate if one of his teammates withdraws due to injury or some other reason.