Foil

The foil is the lightest and most flexible of the three weapons.   It was originally used as a practice weapon for the rapier, which was used in duels to the death.   Therefore, target area for the foil is the torso (the shaded area in the picture).   Hits to the mask, arms, or legs are considered "off-target."   If such a hit occurs, the "off-target" light on the scoring box will illuminate, and the director will stop the action.

Valid hits occur when a fencer has right of way and hits the opponent's lamé (indicated by the shaded area).