Conditions of Participation

All those wishing to participate must have registered prior to the event’s deadline date. Participants must be 18 years or older. The Women’s+ tournaments are open to identify as female, non-binary and transgender fencers who feel that any issues with an open event apply to them also.

 

Swords

• Must be blunt and of suitable quality for fencing

• Federschwerts are to be used for the steel federschwert tournaments. A weapon by any generally decent maker like Regenyei or SIGI should suffice.

• Traditional style longswords are to be used for the steel longsword tournament. Must be of reasonable quality by a reputable maker. Ideally will have a rolled tip or something to that effect. We will accept rounded tips but must not be virtually a point.

• In the case of sabres it will require a rolled tip or something to similar effect. If this is not the case it will need a bullet tip cover or similar. Same rule with makers as the feders. However we will not be allowing Hutton style Hanweis or the original Red Dragon produced Matt Easton sabres.

• Qualifying swords for the Cut and Thrust Swords tournament are sabres, smallswords, spadroons, sideswords, rapiers and epee de combats. We will also consider other types of single handed sword. Swords should be of good quality by reputable makers.

• All weapons will be checked by the judges prior to the competition

 

Protective Equipment

• Fencing mask (1600N is recommended. 350N will suffice provided it isn’t a Leon Paul)

• Back of head protection (preferably an overlay to be used but as long as the head is fully protected that will suffice)

• Gorget or similar throat protection (if not incorporated into the jacket)

• Forearm and elbow protection (if not incorporated into the jacket)

• Gloves that are sufficiently protective for sparring with the weapon you are using. The standard Red Dragon HEMA gloves are not permitted for the longsword events but are acceptable for the single handed events. Lighter gloves may be worn for the single handed events but we would recommend something more padded particularly if you are likely to use your off hand while competing

• Protective fencing jacket or gambeson (800N recommended; must fully cover the torso i.e. no gambesons that are missing the armpits). In the case of longsword events lighter jackets like the SPES Officers or Red Dragon Light are not sufficient.

• 800N Plastrons are recommended (unless your jacket is 800N)

• Hard chest protection is highly recommended for the single handed tournaments, especially in the case of female participants

• Groin protection for male participants; recommended for female participants

• Thigh protection is recommended

• Knee and Shin protection

 

Etiquette

• It is expected that all participants will be respectful towards their opponents and the judges.

• You are expected to pull your blows, only using appropriate force to score.

• Participants will be applauded for calling hits on themselves that have been missed.

• Participants will salute their opponent and the judges at the beginning of the bout.

• Participants will shake hands with/fist bump/hug their opponent at the end of the bout.

 

Structure

 

The structure of each tournament will be determined when the number of participants has been confirmed.

 

In the case of a simple round robin (everyone faces everyone) then at the end the wins will be added up. In the event of a tie it will go to number of draws. If this is a tie it will go to total number of rounds won, and failing that most points accrued (which is hit value scored less hit value taken). If there is still a tie then a tie-breaker round will be played to settle the deadlock.

 

If there are quite a few participants then they will be split into a number of pools. Pools will ideally be split to distribute different clubs and balance the level of skill. Winners (and possibly runners up) of pools will then go into a knockout stage. Pool rankings are determined the same way as a round robin.

 

Scoring Points

Each bout consists of 3 rounds.

 

In the case of the federschwert and longsword tournaments play continues until one or both participants achieve a kill.

 

In the case of the sabre and cut and thrust tournaments When a hit is landed play is reset and the points evaluated. Rounds continue until a killing blow or 3 wounds is achieved, at which point the next round will commence.

 

Scoring points can be achieved by the following:

• Killing Blow – represents a hit that is deemed to have incapacitated your opponent (i.e. decent hit to the head, thrust to the chest, a decent cut to the torso). A clean disarm would also count as a kill. This is an automatic win (3 points). NOTE CUTS WITH A RAPIER COUNT FOR 1 POINT REGARDLESS OF WHERE IT HITS

• Wound – represents a hit that would damage your opponent but not immediately incapacitate them (1 point).  If a participant scores 3 wounds this is deemed to be a kill

• Double Killing Blow – this occurs if both participants score a Killing Blow within the same tempo, be it two kills or a killing blow coupled with the opponents 3rd wound (0 points each). Doubles are replayed ONCE; if the replayed round is also a double the double loss stands

• Afterblow – afterblow is timed within the same movement

• Grappling – grappling is permitted provided it is executed with control; although not joint locks or throws. The controlling participant must either strike opponent with the weapon or disarm them to score.

• Please note that smallswords, epee de combats or similar can only score by using the point