A fencing bout takes place on a piste. The piste is from 1.50 metres to 2 metres wide and is 14 metres long. Each fencer starts at the on-guard line, 2 metres from the centre line and has a distance of 5 metres for retreating. In addition, the last 2 metres of the piste before these rear limit lines must be clearly distinguished - if possible by a different colour of piste - to make it easy for the fencers to be aware of their position on the piste (see Rules: The Field of Play).