In a fencing bout, when is a touch considered valid?

A touch is considered valid in fencing when it strikes the valid target area of the opponent's body and does so without any prior rule infractions or mistakes during the bout. The concept of the valid target area is crucial, as it determines whether a hit counts towards scoring. Each weapon in fencing has its own designated target areas, and only touches that land within these areas are recognized as valid.

The requirement for the touch to occur without any prior mistakes emphasizes the importance of adhering to all rules and protocols during the bout. If any infraction or error occurs before the touch is made, such as a foul or an invalid action, the touch may be rendered invalid, even if it technically strikes the target area.

Recognizing why the other aspects do not constitute a valid touch reinforces the significance of target area and correct conduct in scoring. For example, simply striking any part of the fencer's body does not ensure validity without regard to location; initiating a valid attack doesn’t guarantee a touch if the target is missed or if a rule is broken afterward; and a touch following a series of attacks lacks validity unless it conforms to the established rules governing target areas and fouls. Thus, validity is strictly tied to both the location of the hit and the preceding