Universal Rules:

Below are a set of universal rules that apply to all our tournaments. Please also see each individual tournament ruleset for rules that overwrite the universal rules.

What Counts As Scoring

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• Valid Thrusts should demonstrate some form of flex with some exceptions.

• Valid Cuts are expected to have sufficient rotation and will only score if the edge of the weapon makes contact. Cuts that do not have at least a 45 degree arc will not score. Cuts done with only the last inch of the sword will not score either, fighters should aim to cut as close to the center of percussion as possible.

• Draw cuts may score, but if they do not displace the structure of the other fighter, they may not score.

• Any pommel strikes must be done to the face of the mask for the sake of protection.

• Excessive force/unsafe calls will deny any points for the fencer that they are called against and depending on the case may face ejection from the event.

• Poor sportsmanship calls may result in warnings, point deductions, and ejection from the event depending on severity

• Out of Bounds calls will be made if any fighter steps ON OR OVER the fencing line.

 

Target Areas

Head: This includes the mask and bib (or throat area if the bib is integrated into the jacket) Hitting the back of the head may incur a penalty to the fighter who dealt them

Arms and legs: From the shoulder (where a hem on a shirt would be) to fingers

Hand Hits: are permitted

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Foot hits: are not permitted

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Blocking with the arm: If you move your arm in the way of a strike that would have been a better scoring hit, the better scoring hit will still be counted.

Doubles: Same tempo action, 3 doubles in a bout will result in a loss for both participants.

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Equipment

 

• All equipment, with the exception of mask and gloves, must be worn when checking out at gear inspection. Mask and gloves must still be brought to gear inspection along with any/all weapons.

Protective Equipment Requirements:

• No Exposed Skin

• Mask with back of the head protection required and must be in decent shape

• Gorgets or Rigid trachea protection is required

• Groin protection is required for all fighters

• Hard protection for both the knee and elbows are required and expected to cover the three points

• Gloves: Must be heavy gloves (SPES Heavy, Infinity, ProGauntlet, ect.) Or gauntlets if the Sword does not have some form of complex hilt that actively protects the hand

• Gambesons: Heavy gambesons or Light/medium gambesons with rigid plates required

 

Longsword Tournament Specific Rules

Match End
Point limit of 5 is reached, or time limit of 90 seconds is reached. If time is called in the middle of an exchange, that exchange will be permitted to be finished. The Marshal may call hold for 10 seconds of inaction.
Point Scoring
Head: 2: pommel 1
Torso: 2
arms/legs: 1
Disarm: 2
Afterblow: -1
Controlled strike: +1

All scoring points are expected to be done with both hands on the weapon with the exception of pommel hits.

Sword Grabs: Allowed, but if a hit or disarm is not scored in two seconds, it will award the other fighter point for a hand hit. Be aware that depending on the nature of the sword grab, it may be scored as a hand hit instead.

Disarms: Will award the fighter 2 points for a disarm of the sword, if the sword is simply dropped as part of the action, it will not be scored as a disarm.

Grappling: allowed for the purposes of disarms, and pommels. Takedowns are not allowed and will be deemed excessive force and may result in a yellow or red card.
 

Equipment
Longsword
Longswords and Feders are both allowed.
No blade longer than 40”
Overall length no longer than 54”
Siderings are allowed, but an enclosed cage is not allowed in order to allow for disarms
Any rolled tip must be capped or taped.
Any non-spatulated tip must be capped
A reasonable amount of flex will be expected
Any and all burrs will need to be removed before the start of the tournament. 

 

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Rapier Specific Rules

Match End
Point limit of 5 is reached, or time limit of 90 seconds is reached. If time is called in the middle of an exchange, that exchange will be permitted to be finished. The Marshal may call hold for 10 seconds of inaction.
Point Scoring
Head: 2 thrust or cut, 1 for pommel to the face.
Torso: 2 thrust, 1 on cut
arms/legs: 1 thrust or cut
Afterblow: -1
Controlled Strike: +1

Sword Grabs: Hand parries are permitted if they would not reasonably cut you, blade grabs are permitted for one tempo, but will award the opponent a hand hit if the tempo does not finish with a scoring point. If the opponent frees themselves from the blade grab, they are awarded point.

Grappling: Are prohibited due to the nature of the complex hilt. Checking is allowed

Disarms: Will award the fighter 2 points for a disarm of the weapon, if the weapon is simply dropped as part of the action, it will not be scored as a disarm.

Gloves: May be light leather gloves or heavier
Gambesons: Light/medium gambesons do not require hard plates outside of elbows and knees
Weapon
Rapiers provided for this tournament

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Dagger Specific Rules

Match End
Point limit of 3 is reached, or time limit of 90 seconds is reached. If time is called in the middle of an exchange, that exchange will be permitted to be finished. The Marshal may call hold for 10 seconds of inaction.
Point Scoring 
(Thrust only)

Head: 3
Torso: 2 
arms/legs: 1
Disarm: 2
Afterblow: -1
Control strike: +1

Hand parries are permitted if they would not reasonably cut you, blade grabs are permitted for one tempo, but will award the opponent a hand hit if the tempo does not finish with a scoring point. If the opponent frees themselves from the blade grab, they are awarded the point

Grappling: Allowed for the purposes of disarms. Takedowns are not allowed and will be deemed excessive force and may result in a yellow or red card.

Disarms: Will award the fighter 2 points for a disarm of the weapon, if the weapon is simply dropped as part of the action, it will not be scored as a disarm.

Equipment
Gloves: May be light leather gloves or heavier
Gambesons: Light/medium gambesons do not require hard plates outside of elbows and knees
Weapon
Weapons will be provided for this Tournament 

 

Axe Specific Rules

Match End
Point limit of 5 is reached, or time limit of 90 seconds is reached. If time is called in the middle of an exchange, that exchange will be permitted to be finished. The Marshal may call hold for 10 seconds of inaction.
Point Scoring

Head and torso: 3 for cut, 2 for strike with the head. 
arms/legs: 2 cut, 1 for strike with head
Disarm: 2
Afterblow: -1
Control strike: +1

Hand parries are permitted if they would not reasonably cut you. Grabbing the haft is legal.

Grappling: Allowed for the purposes of disarms. Takedowns are not allowed and will be deemed excessive force and may result in a yellow or red card.

Disarms: Will award the fighter 2 points for a disarm of the weapon, if the weapon is simply dropped as part of the action, it will not be scored as a disarm.
Weapon
Weapons will be provided for this Tournament 

Armored Flail Specific Rules
Match End
Point limit of 5 is reached, or time limit of 90 seconds is reached. If time is called in the middle of an exchange, that exchange will be permitted to be finished. The Marshal may call hold for 10 seconds of inaction.
Point Scoring
Head and Torso: 2 
arms/legs: 1
Afterblow: -1
Knocking off platform: +1

Points will be scored for solid strikes to armored areas. Points will also be awarded for knocking the opponent off their platform

Equipment
Armor
Helms: full face, enclosed.
Gauntlets
Torso protection
Knee and elbow cops
Gorget.
HEAVY gambeson
Full arms and legs recommended but not required.
Weapon
Flail and Targe will be provided for this Tournament.

Archery Specific Rules
Match End
Each round will consist of 3 flights with a maximum score of 9 possible points. Top archers will continue with the target gradually increasing in distance. Top 3 archers recieve a medal
Point Scoring
Center: 3
within star: 2 
anywhere else on the target: 1
Equipment
Bow (either horsebow or traditional longbow. No modern bows)
Arrows- at least 3 but extra is recommended.