Fencing:Procedure For Experimental Programs

Appendix - Procedure For Experimental Programs

Weapons or techniques that may be appropriate for pre-17th century combat but are not permitted by the Society ruleset may be allowed to proceed under an experimental program. Experimental programs are run by the Kingdoms and are run under the purview of, and reported to, the Society Marshal. The process of preparing and running an experimental program is an important pathway to establishing the safety and value of a new activity or method and thus the expansion of the Society Fencing ruleset. Each kingdom interested in participating in an experimental program must prepare and submit an experimental program plan, including:

• A description of the proposed new weapon or technique
• The anticipated reporting schedule
• A minimum time frame
• Contact information for the person(s) who will oversee the experiment in the kingdom and the person(s) responsible for reporting on the experiment

It is the prerogative of the Kingdom Fencing Marshals, subject to the above, and to approval of their Earl Marshal and the Society Marshal, to allow testing of new weapons or techniques within a kingdom. The experimental program must be formally signed by these officers before any activities may commence.

Conducting an experiment means the weapon or technique may be used at fighter practice, tourneys, and in small melees after all combatants and marshals have been informed the weapon or technique is being tested and that it is not approved for general SCA use. All combatants and marshals must consent to the use of the weapon or technique before combat begins. If any of the marshals or combatants object to the use of the weapon or technique, it may not be used.

At regular intervals, at least quarterly, the Kingdom Fencing Marshal shall report to their Earl Marshal, and the Society Fencing Marshal, Deputy to the Society Marshal, on the progress and results of the experiment, including a list of any injuries that resulted from the use of the weapon or technique, and any concerns from fighters and marshals arising from the testing. The Society Fencing Marshal, after consultation with the Kingdom Fencing Marshals, shall determine if the weapon or technique should be recommended to the Society Marshal as a potentially suitable and valuable addition to SCA Fencing. The Society Fencing Marshal shall then report to the Society Marshal for final adjudication.

The experimental program begins after the Kingdom Fencing Marshal, Kingdom Earl Marshal, Society Fencing Marshal, and the Society Marshal have all signed the plan.

After successful completion of the experiment, the Society Marshal may, at their discretion, recommend changes to the Society Handbooks relevant to the experimental results to the SCA Board of Directors for their approval.