Change Log

Rules changes approved by the Board of Directors - 28 January 2024

4.2

Removed Flexi-daggers from allowed blades. This is part of the risk mitigation for implementing reduced armor on limbs and back of head. Flexi-dagger blades have a cross section smaller than a foil.

Updated table for armor standards to include change in 9.1, 9.2, 9.6, and 9.7

6.2.6

Removed reference to flexi-dagger from section on kinks/cracks/ curves

6.2.15

Removed metal spears

6.3.1

Change language to read: Only rubber headed spears are allowed in SCA Fencing.

6.3.3

Removed section on metal spears

9.1

Added "Padded" to armor types

New images for armor protection to reflect the changes for limbs.

9.2

Edit - Combined arms & legs into one section.

Change - requirements for arms and legs for Rapier have been reduced, based on the data from the experimental programs

9.5.7

Clarification - Removed unnecessary language from figure 5 around the head/face protection

9.6

Change – For Rapier only, back of the head protection is reduced to abrasion resistant. Neck protection moved to a new section (9.7)

9.7

Edit - New section for neck protection

Appendix 1

Clarification - Removed "to penis and/or" language in external reproductive organ section, to make groin protection consistent with the 2023 Armored Combat update

Rules changes approved by the Board of Directors - April 2020

Title change

Changed the title from "Rapier Marshal's Handbook" to "Fencing Marshal's Handbook"

Gender neutral language

Gender neutral language throughout

4.1

Changed the category name of “Heavy Rapier” to “Rapier Combat"

Codified the name of “Cut and Thrust Combat”, in places also referred to as “Cut&Thrust” to “Cut & Thrust Rapier”

5.3

Added line engagement

Melee is allowed across all categories

6

Removed language restricting parry-only daggers

6.2.14

Removal of the requirement that the grip be less than 1/3 of the blade length

6.3

Added the recently experimental rubber tipped spear

6.3.3.

Sunset steel headed spears as of December 31st 2020

6.4

Added greater definitions of projectile weapons

6.4.6.

Mandates the use of combat archery blunt types from the Society Marshal’s Handbook

6.5

Clarified that cloaks may be thrown over the opponent's arm or weapon, but not the head

7.1.

Expands the section to better describe the amount of force to be used in Society Fencing

7.4

Use of spears combined to match the rules laid out in the initial experiments for each type of spear

7.11.

Clarifies the acceptable use of a gloved hand

8.1.

Clarifies that blows are accepted by the recipient; therefore, they must be able to sense them

8.3.5

Removal of leg shot being completely disabling in Cut & Thrust combat

9.8

Groin protection. Changed from “Male fighters shall wear rigid groin protection” to “external reproductive organs … must be covered by rigid protection”

9.8

Addition of rigid protection as required for “any body part vulnerable to disproportionate bleeding, such as … hemangioma”

9.8.1

Added requirement for body-worn medical equipment to be covered by armor

Appendix 3

Eliminated the use of a flat-broken foil blade as an acceptable method for testing penetration resistant material

Appendix 4 & 5

Expanded marshaling notes included

Appendix 6

Inclusion of procedures for experimental programs

Appendix 7

Inclusion of a list of items for adverse event reports

September 2018

Imported to wiki

March 2018

II.D.v.

Insertion of new paragraph, hand and wrist protection for Cut and Thrust.