Rapier:Conventions - Rules of engagement

Conventions - Rules of engagement

Engagement

1. In SCA martial disciplines, when and how combatants are allowed to strike each other is determined by the type of engagement.
2. To be "engaged" with an opponent means that you and your opponent have a reasonable expectation that you are aware of each other's presence and should expect to be struck.
3. You are "disengaged" when you and your opponent(s) are both out of hand-held weapons range and are unaware of each other.
4. You are only allowed to strike at an opponent you are engaged with.
5. Scenario or tournaments rules can alter these standards of engagement, as long as they are clearly explained to all participants before combat begins.
6. Unless otherwise specified, the types of engagement listed below are the considered the standard.

Types of engagement

Single combat engagement

1. In single combat, you and your opponent are engaged immediately when lay on is called. This means you may be struck from behind.
2. If you are disarmed of all weapons, your opponent can choose to allow you to regain your weapon/weapons, or require you to yield.

Melee engagement

1. In melees, combatants are engaged with all opponents immediately upon the call to lay on.
2. If you have a handheld weapon, you are engaged with your opponent when:
   1. You are within a 180-degree arc of your opponent's front as defined by your opponent's shoulders, and at an angle you can be reasonably seen by your opponent, and can reach them safely with your weapon.
   2. You are within a 180-degree arc relative to the local line your opponent is a part of.
3. You are not allowed to deliberately ignore an attacker behind you, or repeatedly maneuver to keep your back to an attacker so that they cannot attack you.
4. If you have a ranged weapon, you are engaged with all other combatants on the field of combat, and are allowed to fire at any combatant immediately on the call of lay on.
   1. Missile blows can strike from any angle and regardless of your awareness.
   2. If a missile strikes you in the back, it is still valid.

Death from behind

General

1. Death from behind is only allowed in melee scenarios where it has been announced beforehand.
2. "Death from behind" is defined as killing an opponent when you are behind the area of engagement (the 180-degree arc of your opponent's front as defined by your opponent's shoulders).
3. If you are not allowed to use the "death from behind" maneuver, or you cannot safely execute the "death from behind" maneuver, you must move to engage them as an individual or unit.

Death from behind maneuver

1. Death from behind is achieved by laying your weapon over your opponent's shoulder, so that the tip is visible to them, while calling out clearly, "You are dead from behind" or other short clear phrase.
2. You must take care not to strike your opponent with the quillons, guard, or other part of your weapon.
3. You must take the time to speak the phrase clearly before attacking another opponent or attempting another death from behind maneuver.
4. If you are killed from behind, you are considered dead as soon as the weapon touches your shoulder. You cannot spin or turn to engage your opponent.