Purpose of the Bout

What is the object of a fencing bout? The answer is pretty obvious if you think in terms of a duel. Hit the opponent and not get hit yourself. In fencing terns, the purpose is to out maneuver and out strategize the opponent and therefore get the most touches. Just like a real dual this is occomplished by touching the opponent without being touched yourself. Let's break this statement down and look at the last part first. How can you guarantee that you won't be touched/hit? The only real way is to stay so far from your opponent that he/she can't reach you. But if you do, you can't fulfill the first part of this rule, that is, to hit your opponent. So, you have to compromise, be far enough to be safe while close enough to score? Fortunately, fencing is not for life and death any more so you may experiment and resurrect yourself each time your opponent better followed the strategies of fencing. At the correct distance you can't be hit too easily, and hopefully can trick the opponent into being too close momentarily so you can score.
 
The most important aspect of fencing is, you must use a lot of strategy (be tricky and deceitful, in a good way) to score. Of course, your opponent knows this concept too, so he/she is also trying to be tricky and deceitful, in a good way. So, the next concept of fencing is, be careful because your opponent is trying to fool you too.
 
The strategy for scoring, is to use well developed foot and blade movements to trick your opponent into getting too close so that you can hit him/her while most of the time you stay at a safe distance. Your opponent is trying to do the same to you so the sport is fun and challenging. You must always be aware of everything you are doing as well as everything your opponent does, since it's very easy to make a mistake and be hit.
 
You really have to try fencing to believe how much concentration it takes and how much fun it is. While learning all the strategy stuff the new fencer also learns about the attacks and defenses of fencing. Actually, beginners start the first class knowing how to score, they just don't know how not to be scored on while trying to win. Learning to fence is an experience.

Watch two people fencing for a while. See if you can follow what's going on. Most of it is subtle, but anyone can learn it. Just take the time to have some good fun, exercise, and learn a lot. See if you can figure out which attacks are false (tricks) and which are real? Can you see which fencer is sucked in too close and will get hit? Try fencing and see how much fun it is.