Rapier:Marshaling on the field - Marshaling melees and battles

Marshaling melees and battles

1. There must be a marshal-in-charge for each battle.
2. The marshal-in-charge for a particular battle is not allowed to participate in the battle as a combatant.
3. All marshals should be separately briefed prior to the meeting of all participants. Marshals should also attend the participant briefing.
   1. Emphasis at this briefing should be on confirming the rules and scenario limits for each battle, and identifying hazards to prevent accidents that could arise from hazards related to the scenario limits and to the actual terrain.
   2. There must be an understanding among the marshals regarding the rules and scenario specifics and any possible safety issues that may arise.
4. All participants must gather to have the rules and the scenario limits explained to them, and any questions should be answered.
   1. If the scenario limits vary radically from battle to battle, you may need to brief everyone before each battle.
   2. Let the participants know if you are using an alternative means to signal "Hold" or "Lay on," such as whistles, air horns, or other such devices.
5. Equipment inspection must take place before combat starts, with particular emphasis on any modifications that have been made for that event, battle, or scenario.
6. Guidelines for number of marshals. (These may vary due to terrain and scenarios.)
   1. You should have at least 3 marshals for the first 20 fighters.
   2. For 20 to 500 fighters, add 1 additional marshal for each 15 fighters.
   3. For more than 500 fighters, you should have an experienced marshal-in-charge and a sizable number of experienced marshals. It is better to have more marshals for free-for-all combat.
7. If not enough marshals are available, remind the fighters that combat cannot begin until there are enough. They may need to take turns marshaling to ensure that those who have to marshal can get some fighting in.
8. Marshals should station themselves around the edges of the fight. This allows them to control the borders while keeping as much of the fighting as possible in view. It also prevents fighters from running into them from behind. As always, keep moving and stay close enough to spot safety problems.
9. In very large melees, it's a good idea to have some marshals in the middle of the field, as well as those around the edge. If you are mid-field, be careful that you do not get so interested in the fight in front of you that you back into other combat or forget to watch another bout moving around behind you.
10. When marshaling melees and battles, the witness function becomes a very low priority. It is not unimportant, but it is impossible for a handful of marshals to be accurate witnesses to the details of dozens of separate combats.