At the beginning of a five-touch bout, how long is the clock set for?

In a five-touch bout, the clock is set for three minutes. This time setting is standardized across fencing competitions to ensure that bouts are conducted efficiently while allowing enough time for fencers to engage in tactical exchanges. The three-minute duration is designed to encourage prompt action, while still permitting fencers to showcase their skills and strategies without excessive delay.

If a bout reaches the conclusion of the three minutes without either fencer reaching five points, the bout may then proceed to additional criteria, such as who has the higher score or a priority decision, depending on the hosting tournament's specific rules. This regulation helps maintain the excitement and pace of the competition, fostering an environment where both fencers are encouraged to score points actively while being aware of the clock's impact on their strategy.