Fencing:Use Of Weapons And Defensive Objects

Use of Weapons and Defensive Objects

1. All blows are to be delivered with control, with the aim of delivering the lightest blow that meets the standard for SCA Fencing (refer to section on Acknowledgement of Blows).
   1. While combatants are encouraged to recreate the technique and style of period fencing, they should not recreate the force required for an actual wounding or killing blow. SCA Fencing does not aim to recreate the force with which a given blow would have been delivered if harm were intended. Such force is beyond that which our protective standards are intended.
   2. Blows intended to deliver force (beyond that which is necessary for acknowledgement) are not allowed - continued infractions of this rule will lead to disciplinary action by the marshallate.
   3. The above requirements are difficult to achieve under all circumstances and training levels. The difference between a blow that is hard enough and too hard may be less than an inch of linear distance between two rapidly moving fighters who may not have a perfect perception of the other's intent.
   4. Deviations from the ideal will occur frequently, through no fault of the combatants, as no scenario and no fighter is perfect.
   5. Fighters and marshals are required to resolve such incidents; no pre-judgment or rule shall be made which defines who was necessarily at fault.
2. Valid blows with a dagger, single-handed sword, or two-handed sword in Light Rapier or Rapier combat are
   1. Thrust - required for all kingdoms
   2. Tip Cut- optional for all kingdoms
   3. Push Cut - optional for all kingdoms
   4. Draw Cut - required for all kingdoms
3. Valid blows with a dagger, single-handed sword, or two-handed sword in Cut & Thrust Combat include the above and also
   1. Percussive Blow - required for all kingdoms
4. Valid blows with a spear
   1. The only valid blow with a spear is a thrust.
   2. For single tournament combat, this type of weapon is considered a non-standard device. An opponent may decline to face a non-standard device without forfeiting a bout.
   3. A fighter may not "set" this weapon by bracing the base in the ground or against the foot or body, or locking the back arm.
5. Projectile weapons designed to be thrown must be thrown in such a way as to not injure the opponent. Baseball or cricket style throws are not allowed.
6. A strike from a projectile weapon will be taken as a thrust from a bladed weapon.
7. Killing from behind is defined as killing an opponent where the shoulder of the fencer's sword arm (i.e. the one that would wield the blow) is behind the line defined by the opponent's shoulders.
   1. Killing from behind is allowed in melee scenarios if it has been announced beforehand.
   2. Killing from behind is achieved by laying the weapon over the opponent's shoulder, so that the tip is visible to the opponent, while calling out clearly "You have been killed from behind" or other short clear phrase. The combatant must take care not to strike their opponent with the quillons, guard, or other part of the weapon.
8. The sword, defensive objects, and any body part may make contact with the opponent's weapon or defensive object to parry and deflect. If a combatant's movement results in any part of the combatant's body making contact with the opponent's weapon that is equivalent to a valid blow, the blow is to be taken as having been struck.
9. In Rapier Combat and Cut & Thrust Combat, grasping of the opponent's blade is allowed. No pressure may be exerted to bend the blade. If the blade that is grasped moves or twists in the grasping hand, that hand is deemed disabled.
10. If an effective blow is thrown before, or on, the same moment as an event that would stop a fight (a "HOLD" being called, the fighter being "killed" themselves, etc.), the blow shall count. If the blow is thrown after the hold, killing blow, or other event, it shall not count.
11. Though the gloved hand may be used to parry an opponent's weapon or wrist, it shall not be used to grasp or strike an opponent. Fleeting contact outside these confines is allowed.