Piste

created by Webster 1913

(thing) by RimRod (1.5 wk) (print) ? (I like it!) Fri Jan 12 2001 at 4:38:46

Another name for the fencing playing field, usually simply known as the fencing strip.

The piste measures 2 meters wide and 14 meters long. Lines appear to deliniate the center of the strip, the on guard lines (2 meters from the center line on each side), the 2 meter warning lines (obviously, 2 meter from the ends of the strip), and the end lines themselves.

Thus, it looks something like this (pardon my bad attempt at ASCII art)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|                           |                                      |                             |                            |                                              |                    |
|                           |                                      |                             |                            |                                              |                     |
|<- 2 meters -> | <- 3 meters -> | <- 2 meters ->   | <- 2 meters -> |      <- 3 meters    ->       |<- 2 meters ->|
|                           |                                      |                             |                            |                                              |                     |
|                           |                                      |                             |                            |                                              |                     |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A                      B                                     C                           D                          E                                             F                    G

...where A and G are the end lines, B and F are the 2 meter warning lines, C and E are the on guard lines, and D is the center line.

When a fencer retreats past their own end line with both feet, they penalized by awarding a touch to their opponent.

When a fencer steps outside of the lateral boundaries with one foot, the referee stops the action but does not penalize the fencer and simply replaces the fencers on guard where they were.

When a fencer steps outside of the lateral boundaries with both feet, the referee stops the action and then replaces the fencers on guard, but advances the other fencer up one meter.

But, if the referee feels that the fencer intentionally stepped over the lateral boundary (with either one foot or two), then that fencer is given a yellow card.

(thing) by screaming_idiot (5.6 y) (print) ? (I like it!) Sun Sep 01 2002 at 23:09:41

In the context of snowsports Piste refers to a well packed snow trail that has been groomed, normally by machine.

Skiing on-piste is generally easier than skiing off-piste because the grooming that occurs smooths out bumps and potholes. It also packs the surface down providing a firmer base.

In many circles, it is considered cooler to ski (or snowboard) off-piste. This is because skiing off-piste requires far more experience and skill. Off-piste is also off the beaten track, far away from the maddening crowds.

Usage:

"Forget that bitchass on-piste crap. I go off-piste all the way baby!"

French, from Italian pista, to trample down.

(definition) by Webster 1913 (print) Wed Dec 22 1999 at 2:01:44

Piste (?), n. [F., fr. L. pisere, pinsere, pistum, to pound.] Min.

The track or tread a horseman makes upon the ground he goes over.

Johnson.

printable version
chaos

Fencing	Fencing: A look at a decidedly non-mainstream sport in America	Fencing strip	Camels, sandpeaks and silhouettes, or, a very quiet adventure
The Vines	Pist	Fnord	Swiss Snow League
Advent	track cycling	The Cure	Halo
John Coltrane	fencer	referee	crud

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