The Trayn'd Bande of the Blackfriars' Guidelines

For Sword Combat

INTRODUCTION
The purpose of these rules and regulations is to put in place safe and sane criteria for the practice of the art of rapier fencing in combination with small-sword and side sword. It is not the intent of these rules to recreate "actual combat between rapier, side sword and small-sword," but rather to outline basic parameters for conducting fencing with the rapier, side-sword and small-sword. It is the intent of this regulatory system to insure that those who wish to practice the historical forms of fencing with the rapier, side sword, and small-sword can do so in an honorable and reasonably realistic fashion that stresses safety.

1.0 GENERAL PROVISIONS
The Preferred fencing area is a square 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 'eric'. Any weapons forms will be permitted per the marshals ruling and agreement between combatants. It is the responsibility of the participants to have knowledge of and adhere to the rules. Fencers fence at their own risk and peril.

TOURNAMENTS
Tournaments can be held to certain formats such as rapier tournaments or open tournaments. If a rapier tournament is held then only the weapons and conventions for rapier need be adhered to. In an open tournament any weapon described herein shall be permitted. Questionable weapons may be entered at the Marshal's discretion. Any combatant has as their right to refuse an opponents weapon or weapons. Refusal to fight an opponent's weapons may or may not constitute forfeiture of a match depending on the tournament circumstances, forfeiture decisions will be made by the marshal in charge.

2.0 WEAPON & EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS
General Weapon Specifications
Rapiers, side 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 marshals, questionable blades will be weighed, any blade that exceeds 18 pounds pressure to bending will not be acceptable (see attached testing protocol). The point of the blade must be covered 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.

Rapiers
These must be of the cup, shell, or swept-hilt variety and mounted with blades that are either Del Tin, Zamorano practice or bated Rapier blades or any other blade that meets the criteria of the marshals for safety. Blades must be 35 inches or greater in length. There shall be no prohibition against different types of blades being used against each other.

Side Swords
Side swords shall have hilts of either the basket or riding variety, no cruciform style hilts will be allowed. The following classes of blades are to be used:

~Del Tin Practice Side sword blade
~Del Tin Practice Back sword blade

Replica blades that pass the flexibility standard and that are equivalent to the above and have been cleared by the marshals. Steel blades will not be altered by grinding, cutting, heating, hammering, or other actions that could significantly alter their temper, flexibility or durability. Normal combat stresses and blade care do not violate this rule. Exceptions are as follows:

~~~a. The tang of the weapon may be altered.
~~~b. Heavier-type blades may be shortened so long as it does not make them too stiff.

All blade ends must be capped with rubber, plastic, or leather. Tips will have a blunt striking surface, presenting a cross-section of at least 1/2 inch (13 mm) diameter. Tips must be firmly taped or glued in place. The tip must be of a color contrasting with the blade so that the tip's absence is readily apparent.

If tape is used, it must contrast with both blade and tip. Any blade with kinks, sharp bends, or cracks shall not be used. Steel blades that develop these defects cannot be repaired and must be retired. Weapons may use a hand guard such as a swept hilt or quillions and knucklebow. The ends of quillions must be blunt.

Daggers
Daggers shall have hilts of either the ring, cross, or shell variety. 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.

Clothing and Protective Equipment

~~a. The front and top of the head must be covered by rigid material to below and under the jaw line and behind the ears. Standard three weapon 12 kg fencing masks are known to meet this standard. If built to this standard, fencing helms are also acceptable.
~~b. The face must be covered by either 12 kg mesh (e.g., a standard fencing mask) or perforated metal. Such metal must not have holes larger than 1/8" (3 mm) in diameter, with a minimum offset of 3/16" (5 mm) and shall also meet the definition of rigid material. Brass, Copper, and Aluminum do not meet the requirements for this.

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.

Neck and Throat Protection
The entire neck must be covered by rigid material.
Either puncture resistant material (as a hood) or resilient padding shall back the rigid material. The use of resilient padding is recommended for metal gorgets.

The cervical vertebrae should also be protected by rigid material, provided by some combination of gorget, helm, and/or hood insert. Throat protection must rest on the collarbone in order to distribute the force of a blow. It must also cover from 1 inch (25 mm) below the hollow of the throat, up to 1 inch below the jaw line.

The entire torso (the chest, back, abdomen, groin, and sides up to and including the armpits) should be covered with Abrasion-Resistant Material (ARM). Acceptable minimum armpit coverage is provided by a triangle of Abrasion-Resistant Material (ARM) extending from the armpit seam, covering the lower half of the sleeve at the seam, and extending down the inner/under arm, one-third the distance to the combatant's elbow. Male and female combatants will wear rigid groin protection. Any ventilation holes large enough to admit a broken blade must be covered from the outside with at least puncture-resistant material. Female combatants shall wear puncture resistant groin protection.

Arm and Leg Protection
~~a. Gloves made of abrasion resistant material shall protect hands and overlap any sleeve
openings. The feet shall be protected by boots or shoes comprised of at least abrasion resistant
material. Sandals and tennis shoes are forbidden.
~~b. Abrasion-resistant material is required on arms, legs,

Abrasion-Resistant Material (ARM)

ARM is material that will withstand normal combat stresses (such as being snagged by an
unbroken blade) without tearing. Examples include, but are not limited to:
(1) Broadcloth
(2) A single layer of heavy poplin cloth (35% cotton, 65% polyester; "trigger" cloth)
*Nylon pantyhose and cotton gauze shirts are examples of unacceptable materials. Heavy plastrons over the jacket are recommended, as are elbow protectors, padded sleeves, padded leg coverings, kneepads, shin guards, etc. Breast protectors for women, gloves for both hands, 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.

3.0 TECHNIQUE AND SAFETY
Fencers are on their honor to acknowledge blows struck against them. Failure to acknowledge a blow will be dealt with by the officiating judge as set forth in section 5.0 officiating
Target Area. The target area shall include all parts of the body except the back of the head. In judging blows, all combatants are presumed to be wearing common civil attire of the period, not armor. The entire body is a target area. A valid attack will be counted as though they were struck with a real blade, extremely sharp on point and edge. Any blow that would have penetrated the skin shall be counted a good blow. Any blow that strikes a mask, helm or gorget shall be counted as though it struck flesh.

Tip Cuts

The following standards must be adhered to when using tip cuts:
A valid tip cut is to draw the point of the blade a minimum of 3 inches (76 mm) across an
opponent's body. As with a thrust, only minimal, but noticeable, pressure need be
maintained. Tip cuts can be delivered from a rapier or side sword but will not be allowed
from a small sword. Tip cuts are an optional convention that must be agreed upon by both combatants before a match begins

Thrusts

A valid thrust is not negated or lessened due to sliding off after solid contact with the tip of the blade. Jabbing or punching actions are forbidden. These do not qualify as thrusts. However, actions such as appuntata or replacements of the point shall be exceptions to this rule, as they are valid technique.

Cuts
Cuts, which are brutal, that is, delivered with excessive force, or are made by hacking, chopping, whipping, or bludgeoning, are strictly prohibited. Cuts landing over steel shall be declared valid. Cutting will be permitted with side swords only, no cutting save tip cuts will be allowed with rapier.