Rapier:Marshaling on the field - Safety

Safety

1. The field itself can cause safety problems. Before you begin, look over the area where the fighting will take place. Look particularly for large holes, soft spots, and rocks as fighters will generally accept small holes, rocks, etc. as part of the terrain. Once the fight starts, try to keep it away from these areas. If the hazards are serious, move the fight.
2. As the fighters come onto the field, take a quick look to see if they have their full armor, especially elbow, neck, and hand armor where needed. These are the likeliest to be removed and then forgotten. This should not take any time at all; it isn't a full inspection or an attempt to catch someone trying to play silly games with the rules - just a quick double-check to help someone who could have been distracted by the excitement of the day.
3. Once the fight has started, watch for broken armor, lost tempers, injuries, and intrusions into the field. Outsiders, especially small children and pets, do not always realize that they are supposed to stay off of the field during combat.
4. If there is a problem, shout "Hold!", several times if necessary. Most fighters will hear and respond to a cry of "Hold!" even when they won't notice their own names being called.
   1. If the first cry of "Hold!" does not cause the fighters to stop, get in between the fighters, or between the fighters and whoever or whatever has wandered onto the field, and block the weapons with your staff until the fighting stops. Keep yelling "Hold!" while you do so that eventually they will notice. That is one reason why marshals routinely carry staffs on the field.
5. If a fighter throws blows which force their opponent to retire from the field, from a real injury (even one which only causes brief incapacitation), the marshal responsible for the field shall take such steps as are appropriate to stop the problem from recurring, and report the incident.
6. Kingdoms have different traditions as to how much marshals should intrude into a fight.
   1. Some kingdoms expect marshals to keep their opinions to themselves, except in the case of clear and immediate safety hazards, and some kingdoms expect marshals to volunteer advice any time they think the fighters might possibly have a question about a blow.
   2. If you are new to marshaling, or new to the kingdom you are in, try to find out where in this spectrum your kingdom lies. It will make a difference in how you act and, perhaps more importantly, it will make a major difference in what the fighters expect of you.
   3. Blatant violations of the rules and safety concerns should always be brought up either immediately, with a "Hold" called if necessary for safety issues, or if they can wait, until an appropriate time for rules discussion after the bout or activity.