WMA
Rules for Mixed Weapons Rapier and Small-Sword Open Tournament
Commentaries And Procedures for the
Judging and directing of mixed weapons (rapier and small-sword)
bouts
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of these rules and regulations is to put in place
safe and sane criteria for the practice of the art of the
rapier in combination with the art of the small-sword. It
is not the intent of these rules to recreate "actual
rapier and small-sword combat," but rather to outline
basic parameters for conducting fencing with the rapier and
small-sword. In the opinion of the Association it is impossible
to replicate personal combat to the most minute detail and
authentic conditions without resorting to actual bloodshed.
It is the intent of this regulatory system to insure that
those who wish to practice the historical forms of fencing
with the rapier and the small sword can do so in an honorable
and reasonably realistic fashion that stresses safety.
1.0 GENERAL PROVISIONS
All rules listed herein are to be enforced without modification
in official AHF events, unless permission is granted by the
AHF Executive Committee to modify the rules for a given competition.
All bouts shall be fenced in a square area of no less than
25 feet in length by 25 feet in width and no more than 35
feet in length by 35 feet in width, hereafter referred to
as the 'ring'. Stepping out of Bounds (one foot constitutes
out of bounds) will be penalized as per section 5.0. Permitted
weapons forms are: Single Rapier, Rapier & Dagger, Rapier
& Cloak, Single small- sword, small-sword & dagger
and small sword & cloak. Double Rapier and Rapier and
Buckler are NOT permitted at this time, any other combination
not specifically mention in the list of permitted weapons
forms are NOT permitted. Rules will be demonstrated prior
to all official AHF tournaments. It is the responsibility
of the participants to have knowledge of and adhere to the
rules. Fencers fence at their own risk and peril.
2.0 WEAPON & EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS
Rapiers
These must be of the cup, shell, or swept-hilt variety and
mounted with blades that are either double-wide epée
(also sold as "musqueteer" blades), Del Tin Practice
Rapier blades, or practice schlaeger blades (oval or diamond).
Blades must be between 35 and 45 inches in length. There shall
be no prohibition against different types of blades being
used against each other.
Small-swords
Hilts must be of the French or Italian type and must be constructed
in as historically accurate a manner as possible within the
realm of safety. The guard of the weapon can be no wider than
4.5 inches and the quillions must not protrude more then one
inch beyond the circumference of the guard. Blades must be
standard epee, double-wide epee, or schlaeger blades, with
a minimum length of 29 inches and a maximum length of 35 inches.
Daggers
Daggers shall have hilts of either the ring, cross, or shell
variety, and must have quillons. Blades must be of the flexible
fencing dagger type (the "flexi-dagger," "safety-flex",
or similar type). Daggers made from cut-down epée or
foil blades, and any blades specifically designed to catch
or break an opponent's blade are all specifically PROHIBITED.
Cloaks
Cloaks may be of any stout material which will not snag on
an opponents blade. Cloaks cannot be weighted on the edge,
nor may they in any way present a danger to the fencer- such
as cloaks that are tattered, have holes, or are in a state
of disrepair.
General
Weapon Specifications
Rapiers, small-swords and daggers must be constructed in as
historically accurate a manner as possible within the realm
of safety. The hilts of weapons must be constructed without
any type of eccentricity with regard to the quillions, knuckle
bow, or ricasso, and without anachronism, such as offset guards.
The blade must NOT be mounted obliquely with respect to the
quillions. Moreover, the blade must be in good condition,
free of rust and burrs, and may have only a single, gradual
curve. Blades may be neither too stiff (rigid) nor overly
flexible (whippy), subject to the discretion of the director
and officials. The point of the blade must be covered with
a winding of waxed thread covered with adhesive tape and then
covered with a leather patch or rubber coating. Rubber or
plastic buttons, or their equivalent (such as rubber "archery
blunts"), are acceptable, but must be secured to the
blade with adhesive tape.
* The quality of the blades as manufactured will be taken
into consideration.
Clothing and Protective Equipment
Three-weapon fencing masks (12 Kg Punch test) with thick,
sewn-in bibs are required for competition, NO HOODS of any
type under the mask or attached to the mask will be permitted.
Extra protection for the throat, such as a gorget made of
steel or leather (no less than 4 oz) is required, and must
be sufficiently padded to provide impact protection.
Standard three-weapon uniforms or equivalent commercially
available protection, which, in order to facilitate judging
of touches may be of any solid color EXCEPT BLACK, are required
for competition. Uniforms must be made of strong material,
preferably of heavily padded cotton duck or canvas. Long pants
or fencing knickers must be worn and must be of a strong,
tight weave, non-stretch material. No bare flesh may be exposed.
Heavy plastrons over the jacket are recommended, as are elbow
protectors, padded sleeves, padded leg coverings, kneepads,
shin guards, etc. Breast protectors are required for women,
and rigid groin cups are required for men.
Padded sabre gloves for both hands, or the equivalent, are
required. The cuffs of the gloves must go over and cover the
sleeves by at least three (3) inches, and construction must
be of sturdy leather or equivalent.
All weapons & equipment must be inspected prior to the
beginning of the tournament.
*All weapons will be tagged during inspection. If you have
a weapon that can be considered transitional, it will be tagged
specifically for use as either a rapier or small-sword, but
will not be permitted to be used as both. Each participant
is required to bring two weapons to be inspected.
3.0 TECHNIQUE AND SAFETY
Target Area
The target area shall include all parts of the body except
the back of the head and the hands.
Cuts
Cuts, which are brutal, that is, delivered with excessive
force, or are made by hacking, chopping, whipping, or bludgeoning,
are strictly prohibited. Cuts made by laying the blade on
target and drawing are not acceptable or permitted, as these
are not true draw cuts. Cuts landing over steel shall be declared
valid. Cutting will be permitted with rapiers only, no cutting
will be allowed with small-swords.
Thrusts
Thrusts must land distinctly on target, and the blade must
bend sufficiently on impact to demonstrate penetrating power.
The exception to this rule is thrusts to the mask (including
the head, face, or throat), which must be pulled to avoid
injury. If these blows are not pulled, they will be judged
excessively violent and shall be punished accordingly by the
director.
Jabbing or punching actions are forbidden. These do not qualify
as thrusts.
Use of the Unarmed Hand
The use of the unarmed hand is permitted. The unarmed hand
may be used to parry at the option of the fencer.
Seizing of the blade is permitted. The fencer seizing the
blade can do so only momentarily. Twisting or pulling the
blade, however, is prohibited. This is not the same as disarming,
in which the blade, hilt, or arm is seized in a manner specific
to the technique. The defending fencer, in order to avoid
injury to the fencer who has seized the blade, must not twist
or pull his weapon away when it is seized. Permissible actions
in this case include letting go of the weapon (which is counted
as a disarmament) or employing a counter seizure. If a counter
seizure is employed, the director will call a halt to ensure
safety and forestall grappling.
Disarming techniques by means of seizing the arm, forte of
the blade, or hilt of the adversary's weapon, are permitted.
This is counted as three points scored against the fencer
who was disarmed. If a fencer looses his primary weapon other
than by a disarm he looses the bout and three points are scored
against him. If a fencer looses his secondary weapon he must
fence without it. However, should a fencer drop his weapon
as a result of the impact on a valid target surface, that
shall not be considered a disarm. In this case, a halt shall
be called and the fencer shall be allowed to reclaim his weapon.
The decision of whether a weapon was dropped because of a
valid impact shall be solely at the discretion of the director,
and this decision shall not be affected by the decision of
the judges.
4.0 INFIGHTING & GENERAL CONDUCT
Infighting is permitted. However, discretion and self-control
must be exercised. If the director feels that the action has
become irregular and unsafe, he must immediately stop the
action. Similarly, if the action becomes obscured so that
the director and judges cannot interpret the phrase, the action
must be stopped.
The use of the unarmed hand for checking, pushing, or pulling
the adversary is permitted. Use of the weapon for checking
or pushing is permitted. Actions and techniques that constitute
a blow, striking, or impact are prohibited.
Ducking, weaving, and slipping, and all evasive displacements
of the body, including those in which part of the body comes
in contact with the ground, for the purpose of avoiding being
hit are permitted, provided the action remains controlled.
(This constitutes displacement of the target.) However, should
the director feel that the action is uncontrolled or constitutes
a fall, he shall halt the bout. This is considered unsafe
and will be dealt with as a violation of the rules, section
5.0 (officiating).
Dishonorable conduct, such as attempting to circumvent the
rules, will result in a warning for the first offense and
ejection for any subsequent offense.
Vindictive acts of any kind will result in disqualification
and ejection from the event. The AHF Board of Governors may
also ban the offender from all events for a period of any
length, up to and including a lifetime ban from Association
events.
Wrestling techniques are forbidden. This includes, but is
not limited to, tripping and knocking down and adversary.
The use of striking actions such as punches, chops, and kicks
are forbidden. Blows of any variety are forbidden. Grappling
techniques are forbidden, including but not limited to joint
locks, throws, and tripping. The fencer who causes body contact
without either brutality or violence, even several times in
succession, has not violated this rule and is guilty of no
irregularity.
ANY VIOLATION OF THE WRESTLING AND GRAPPLING PROHIBITIONS
WILL RESULT IN EJECTION.
5.0 OFFICIATING
Every formal bout will be presided over by a Director of Combat.
The director's function is to ensure that the combat proceeds
smoothly and fairly. He must see that the fencing is conducted
in accordance to the rules and must halt any swordplay that,
in his opinion, is unruly, patently unfair, and/or unsafe.
Additionally, the director shall have the power to:
• On his authority commence, halt, end a bout, and declare
a winner.
• Penalize violations of the rules and conventions of
fencing, including those written and unwritten rules relating
to sportsmanship and good conduct.
• Award touches with the concurrence of the judges and
in accordance with the applicable voting procedure.
• Exercise complete control over the fencers, spectators,
judges, minor officials, and such other personnel as may be
in the area of the ring. This control extends to whatever
means may be necessary to maintain order, including ejecting
a fencer or spectator, dismissing a judge, etc.
The Director will be assisted in his duties by four judges,
the responsibility of whom it will be to watch for touches
occurring during the bout, which they will signal against
the fencer who was touched by raising a flag, or by such other
method as may be determined for a given competition.
To begin the bout the Director shall bring both contestants
to the center of the fencing area ("ring"). Once
the Director has assured that everything is in order (such
as that the fencers are using inspected weapons, wearing the
approved uniform, etc.) he shall bring them on guard with
the command "Gentlemen (or fencers) take your guard."
He shall then step back and give the command to "Fence."
Each fencer fences in his own way and at his own risk and
peril. The fencers shall cease fencing upon the command "Halt.
If required, the Director shall use a staff to separate the
fencers.
All bouts shall be for three points, with points scored against
the fencer receiving the touch. Thrusts to the body and face
shall count for three points, to the rest of the body for
one point. All rapier cuts count as one point. In all bouts
there shall be a time limit of five (5) minutes. If the score
is tied at the end of this time period, one additional touch
will be fenced without time limit to determine a winner.
Upon seeing a touch or the signal for a touch from a judge,
the director shall stop the bout and poll the judges as to
the direction of the touch (who was touched,) the type of
touch, whether point or cut, and where it arrived. Judges
shall have one vote each and the director shall have one and
one-half votes. In the event of a tie vote, the vote of the
director shall be the deciding one. Should the jury agree
that there was a hit, but disagree as to its point value (e.g.
whether it was to the chest or arm), one point shall be awarded.
A minimum of two votes is required to award a touch. The fencers
may acknowledge any hits they have received, however the Director
has the final say in awarding the touch.
In the case of a double touch (encounter), both fencers shall
be considered touched unless in the opinion of the director
one touch was clearly out of time. In the case of an encounter
where one fencer is struck with a one point touch and the
other with a three point touch, the fencer receiving the three
point touch is defeated, unless the other fencer had two touches
against prior to the encounter, in which case both are defeated.
In case of a double defeat (simultaneous reaching of three
points against), the bout shall be re-fenced for "first
blood" - that is, the first touch shall determine the
winner.
Speaking while under arms is not permitted except with the
permission of the director, gained by making a foot call (stamping
the front foot twice) and being recognized by the director.
Emotional outbursts, or displays of temper before, during,
or after a bout is forbidden. Participants must exhibit self-control
and good manners.
Violations of these rules will be dealt with in the following
manner, unless otherwise noted elsewhere in the rules:
• 1st Offense- Warning
• 2nd Offense-Point against
• 3rd Offense- Loss of bout
• 4th Offense- Disqualification
6.0 SPECTATORS
Spectators must not interfere in any way. Coaching by voice
or gesture, commenting in a loud voice, swearing, using foul
language, or abusing officials is prohibited. Spectators behaving
in an unruly manner, creating a nuisance, and/or preventing
orderly proceeding of the contest will be warned, and if they
persist in their actions, ejected.
|
