An important
term in modern
fencing.
If, when regulation time expires in a
fencing bout, the
score is tied, then "priority" is given to one of the fencers through a simple
game of chance (usually just flipping a
coin). Then, a one minute
overtime period is fenced. If a single touch is scored by either
fencer during
overtime, than that fencer is the winner. But, if neither fencer score a deciding touch by the end of the one minute, then the fencer with priority wins the bout.
Screwy, no? I personally think that
priority is a ridiculously silly
rule. Go to double or triple
overtime if necessary, because losing a close match because of the flip of a coin absolutely sucks and is no measure of one fencer's superiority over the other.