Rapier:Handbook

Rapier Handbook - for commentary

These rules have approved by the Board of Directors for commentary - 18 November 2025

You can view and download a copy of the PDF of these rules by clicking the link or the PDF symbol next to the handbook title in the side bar.

The currently active Society rules (January 2024) are available at www.sca.org

If you have questions or comments, please email rapier@sca.org and marshal@sca.org

I want to fight	I want to marshal	Administration	Other
Introduction to SCA martial activities Rules of the Lists Overview of rapier combat When you are allowed to participate Expected behavior and responsibilities Activity guidelines Conventions: Holds Rules of engagement Use of weapons and defensive equipment Target areas Acknowledgement of blows Equipment standards: Armor Metal bladed weapons Spears Defensive equipment Ranged weapons Missiles (Ammunition/Munitions) Drop tester Authorizing for rapier combat	Marshalate - Overview Marshalate - Responsibilities and chain of command Kingdom marshalate Inspecting equipment Designated areas Marshaling on the field Authorization Authorization process example Accessibility Safety resources Injury procedures Managing misconduct	Inter-kingdom events Reporting requirements Experimentation Handbook updates	Accessibility Safety resources Injury procedures Managing misconduct Change log

Introduction

1. Introduction to SCA martial activities*
2. Rules of the Lists*

Participants (I want to do the thing)

3. Overview of rapier combat
4. When you are allowed to participate
5. Activity guidelines
6. Expected behavior and responsibilities
7. Conventions - Holds
8. Conventions - Rules of engagement
9. Conventions - Use of weapons and defensive equipment
10. Conventions - Target areas
11. Conventions - Acknowledgement of blows
12. Equipment standards - Armor
13. Equipment standards - Metal bladed weapons
14. Equipment standards - Spears
15. Equipment standards - Defensive equipment
16. Equipment standards - Ranged weapons
17. Equipment standards - Missiles (Ammunition/Munitions)
18. Equipment standards - Drop tester
19. Designated areas

Participants & Marshals (Authorizations, safety resources, injuries, problems)

20. Authorization *
21. Authorization process example
22. Accessibility
23. Safety resources*
24. Injury procedures*
25. Managing misconduct*

Marshals (I want to marshal the thing)

26. Marshalate - Overview*
27. Marshalate - Responsibilities and chain of command*
28. Kingdom marshalate
29. Inspecting equipment
30. Marshaling on the field

Administration (I want to run the thing)

31. Inter-kingdom events*
32. Reporting requirements*
33. Experimentation *
34. Handbook updates*

Other Information

35. Change log

*These pages are global - they are in each handbook