Holds

General

The call of "Hold!" is used stop the activity because of a safety issue. Safety issues might include (but are not limited to):
- a problem with someone's weapons or protective equipment, such as weapons that break, or fail in any other way that they feel is unsafe;
- an injury;
- someone about to cross a boundary;
- an unexpected hazard on or near the martial activity's field.
The call of "Hold!" can also be used to announce the end of a bout/combat, e.g., when victory conditions have been met.
Anyone can call a hold, including you, your opponent, the marshal or a spectator, if that person believes someone's safety has been or will imminently be at risk due to the martial activity.
When you hear "Hold!", everyone on the field should:
- stop what you are doing, look around to ensure you are not in danger or placing others in danger; and
- either stay in place or move to a safe location as appropriate
- repeat the call of "Hold!"; then
- secure your weapons safely, in a non-threatening position.
- Follow the instructions of the marshals.
The marshal (or the person supervising the field) will announce when the activity can start again.
If a hold was caused by your equipment failing, you must correct this failure before you can return to the activity.

On a thrown weapons range, when a hold is called, you must put your weapons on the ground or in another safe position, stop moving, and put your hands up or otherwise indicate to the marshal that you are aware of the hold.
Only the thrown weapons marshal may release a hold on a thrown weapons range.