Fencing is a sport derived from the dueling arts of Renaissance Europe. Dueling was mainly practiced by the nobility, and the ideals of honor and sportsmanship continue to be important to modern fencing. Modern fencing uses light, blunted weapons, protective masks, and heavy clothing, and is in fact safer than most sports.

A fencing match, or "bout", as it is commonly called, is fencing on a narrow, rectangular strip. Scoring and penalties are determined by a director, who is essentially a referee. In competition, electric scoring equipment is used to determine when hits are scored and aid the director in awarding points. Bouts are fenced to 5 or 15 points.

There are three different weapons in modern fencing. The foil, which is the most common weapon for beginner's, is based on the court sword, a light thrusting weapon used mainly for self defense. The épée is also a thrusting weapon, but is based on dueling swords and is larger and heavier. The sabre is a cutting weapon, based on the curved swords carried by cavalry and officers in the military.

Each of the three weapons use slightly different rules. The key difference is that attacks can only be made with the point of the foil and épée, while the edge of the sabre can be used as well. In foil, points can only be scored by hitting the torso; in sabre, the arms and head are valid targets as well; and in épée, the entire body is on target. In épée bouts, the point is awarded to the first fencer to hit his opponent, while in foil and sabre, priority is given to the fencer who initiates the attack.

Each weapon is associate with a distinct style of fencing. Foil fencing tends to involve complex and deceptive blade work. épée fencing is usually slower, with an emphasis on tactical thinking and unorthodox strategies. Sabre fencing is fast-paced and agressive, and requires quick footwork.

Most fencers choose one weapon to specialize in, although they may eventually learn all three. Modern tournaments usually have events in all three weapons, for men and women. Most of the events in which Hamilton College competes are co-ed.