Equipment standards - Defensive equipment

Shields and pavises

Your shield must be edged with leather, padding, or other covering, or constructed so that it minimizes damage to rattan weapons or other fighters.
Sharp edges (e.g. 90-degrees or more) must be rounded.
Bolts, wires, or other objects must not project more than 3/8 inch (9 mm) from any part of your shield without being padded. Rounded shield bosses are not considered to be projections.
Your shield is allowed to be constructed with leg(s) so that it can act as freestanding pavise during melee combat.
1. The leg(s) used to keep your pavise standing must be at least 1 1/4 inches (31.8 mm) in diameter or 1 1/4 inches (31.8 mm) square and be securely attached.

These conventions only apply to shields used in tournament combat. Shields used in melees are exempt.
All of these measurements are made with the fighter in armour.
Round shields, both arm-strapped and center grip, have a maximum diameter of 30 inches (76 cm); or the distance measured from elbow point to elbow point while holding one's fists together; whichever is greater.
The maximum size for heater shields (this includes rectangular arm-strapped and rectangular centre grip shields) is measured from shoulder to shoulder and chin to crotch, while the fighter is sitting on a bench or other flat surface.
All other shields must have a surface area less than or equal to 700 square inches (4516 square cm). This is roughly equivalent to a square shield that is 26 1/2 x 26 1/2 inches or 67 x 67 cm.
These conventions can be waived for certain tournaments with the Crown's approval.