Fencing on YouTube.

The way it's usually done now:   A very recent fencing match.

Notice how they run at each other and both jab at the same time. It's just a matter of whoever can hit the other first (and someone registers a touch with almost every rush, logged by the fellow at the table on the right who's monitoring the electronic scoring equipment). There is no attempt to parry an attacking thrust and there is no exchange of thrusts, parries, and ripostes. In fact, there is almost no contact between blades at all! This is not fencing! But that's what's passing for fencing these days.

Olympic saber fencing, 1936. (Starts out with dramatic "shadow play," but stick with it).

Notice that the action is fast, but they are parrying each other's cuts and thrusts. Also, note how long the action continues before one of them scores a touch (when the bell rings). This is real fencing.

Don Firth