Atlantian Rapier Rules

These are the rules of rapier combat for the Kingdom of Atlantia, as set out in the Kingdom Book Of Policy (specifically in the Policies of the Kingdom Marshal section). The format of the Book of Policy is such that *all* martial activities are intermingled, with authorization policies for all combat forms listed, then weapons and armor standards for all forms, then conventions for all forms, etc...

The copy provided here is not the official copy. It is, however, organized to just show the sections that pertain to rapier combat. In case of dispute, the official source is the published hard copy from either the Acorn or most recent printing of the Kingdom Book of Policies (formerly known as the Red Tape). The official numbering of the rules is based on that copy.

It may be downloaded, printed and distributed freely, for the purpose of supporting the advance of the Art of Defence.

These rules are current as of the October, 2002 Acorn printing

Please also refer to the Combat Archery Rules and Regulations when discussing how combat archery relates to rapier combat.

3.5.4 Rapier Combat Weapons and Armor Standards
3.6.3 Conventions of Combat for Rapier Combat
3.7.2 Rules of the List for Rapier Combat

3 The Policies of the Office of the Earl Marshal


3.5.4 Rapier Combat Weapons and Armor Standards
3.5.4.1	Armor Inspections. All participants must have their arms and armor inspected by a warranted marshal before participating in combat at each event, practice or other official activity.
3.5.4.2	Armor Regulations
	3.5.4.2.1	Definitions
		3.5.4.2.1.1	Puncture Resistant Material is material able to withstand four hard thrusts with a broken foil blade when placed on a penetrable surface, regardless of composition or number of layers. Four-ounce leather or four layers of sturdy cloth normally will qualify as impenetrable; some brocades and other heavy fabrics may require only two layers to be considered puncture resistant material. All puncture resistant material should be tested in the above fashion.
		3.5.4.2.1.2	Abrasion Resistant Material is one layer of sturdy cloth that resists tearing under normal combat stresses. Sturdy Cloth is a single layer of trigger cloth, duck cloth, denim, most garment leathers, and many types of brocade.
		3.5.4.2.1.3	Rigid material is puncture resistant material that will not significantly flex, spread apart, or deform under pressure applied repeatedly to any single point. Examples of rigid material include: 22 ga stainless steel, 20 ga mild steel, 16 ga aluminum, copper or brass, or 8 oz leather.
	3.5.4.2.2	General
		3.5.4.2.2.1	Armor must have no gaps. No bare skin may show.
		3.5.4.2.2.2	There shall be sufficient overlap between separate pieces of protective clothing, regardless of the fighters stance or movements, that the minimum protection for that body area be preserved.
		3.5.4.2.2.3	Any protection or article of clothing that prevents a fighter from properly acknowledging blows will not be allowed.
		3.5.4.2.2.4	All gear (including fabric and masks) must be tested at least once every two years. Compliance is the responsibility of the individual fighter. Any protective gear may be tested if there is concern that the gear may have lost protective ability due to age, wear and tear, or other factors.
	3.5.4.2.3	Head and neck
		3.5.4.2.3.1	An FIE approved fencing mask (which meets the 12 kg punch test) or the equivalent shall be worn. The mask must cover at least the front and sides of the head. It must be securely fastened so that it can neither come off nor be significantly dislodged during combat.
			3.5.4.2.3.1.1	Fencing helms are approved for use, provided they meet the above standards, and present no small openings that could admit the point of a tipped fencing type blade in normal combat.
		3.5.4.2.3.2	All areas of the head and neck that are not covered by the mask must be covered with puncture resistant material. One-piece hoods that cover the head and neck and extend to cover the upper chest are preferred.
		3.5.4.2.3.3	Fighters engaged in combat with schlagers shall wear a gorget of rigid material, covering the entire throat. The cervical vertebrae shall also be protected by rigid material, provided by some combination of gorget, helm, and/or hood insert.
	3.5.4.2.4	Torso
		3.5.4.2.4.1	The torso (chest, back, abdomen, and groin) must be covered with Puncture Resistant Material.
		3.5.4.2.4.2	The armpits must be completely covered with Puncture Resistant Material regardless of the combatant's position.
		3.5.4.2.4.3	Modern fencing jackets shall not be worn as the outer layer of a fighter's protection.
		3.5.4.2.4.4	Male fighters must wear rigid groin protection such as an athletic cup, adequately secured.
		3.5.4.2.4.5	Female fighters are encouraged to take protective measures for the chest area. Female fighters are also encouraged to have additional padded or resistant groin protection.
	3.5.4.2.5	Arms and Legs
		3.5.4.2.5.1	Hands shall be protected by gloves made of abrasion resistant material, which overlap any sleeve opening. Feet shall be protected by boots or shoes at least made of abrasion resistant material.
		3.5.4.2.5.2	Abrasion resistant material is required on arms (save as noted above for armpits), legs, and any areas not specifically mentioned otherwise in these rules.
3.5.4.3	Weapon Inspections: A Rapier Marshal shall inspect all weapons or devices to be used in the list for safety and compliance with the following rules prior to use.
3.5.4.4	Weapons Regulations
	3.5.4.4.1	Rapiers
		3.5.4.4.1.1	The following classes of blades are used: Fencing type rapiers(foils, epees, double wide epees, practice electrics). Schlagers(including Del Tin, Scottie Schlager, Zamarono). Daggers (metal flexi type daggers only).
		3.5.4.4.1.2	Blades shall be in good condition, with no cracks, kinks, or multiple curves.
		3.5.4.4.1.3	Fencing type blades shall have a single, gradual curve. Sharp points, edges or corners are not allowed anywhere on any equipment.
		3.5.4.4.1.4	Any blade in a given rapier class may be used against any other blade in that same class, but not against blades of the other class. Daggers may be used against either class of rapier blade.
		3.5.4.4.1.5	Blades must be manufactured by commercial suppliers.
		3.5.4.4.1.6	Fencing type rapier blade must be covered by a standard plastic or rubber foil tip, in good condition. Schlager tips shall be covered by a standard rubber/plastic archery bird blunt, with a coin or other metal disk inside the blunt. Schlagers may also be altered to make the tip flat and covered with a bird blunt or the equivalent. On all blades, the tip shall be securely fastened so as not to be dislodged during combat. The use of a contrasting color of tape or adhesive that makes it obvious when a tip has been lost is required.
		3.5.4.4.1.7	Guards on fencing type blades may not have openings that could admit the point of a tipped blade in normal combat. Knuckle bows are allowed. Quillons or guards designed to break blades are prohibited.
		3.5.4.4.1.8	Pistol grips of all types are not allowed.
	3.5.4.4.2	Soft Parrying Devices
		3.5.4.4.2.1	Soft parrying devices include (but are not limited to) cloaks, hats, gloves, and any other non-rigid articles that might be used for parrying in combat.
		3.5.4.4.2.2	Soft parrying devices shall be recognizable as the original item.
		3.5.4.4.2.3	Soft parrying devices may be weighted or stiffened with cloth or padding, but not with metal or any rigid material.
	3.5.4.4.3	Hard Parrying Devices
		3.5.4.4.3.1	Hard parrying devices include (but are not limited to) bucklers, scabbards, pistols, candlesticks, and any other rigid articles that might be used for parrying in combat.
		3.5.4.4.3.2	Hard parrying may not have sharp corners, rough or splintered edges, holes that could admit the point of a tipped blade, or be in any way dangerous.
		3.5.4.4.3.3	It is illegal to use any hard parrying device to attack one's opponent, whether by slapping, striking, or thrusting.
	3.5.4.4.4	Other Weapons
		3.5.4.4.4.1	Non-standard weapons (mugs, bottles, fish, sausages, loaves of bread, etc.) shall be inspected by a warranted Rapier Marshal and used only with the consent of all parties involved.
		3.5.4.4.4.2	Combat archery, throwing weapons, and/or mock gunnery gear (such as rubber band guns) may be used in rapier combat, as long as all safety standards for those arts are met.
	3.5.4.4.5	Weapon Familiarity
		3.5.4.4.5.1	It is the responsibility of each fighter to resolve any questions about what weapons are being used before combat begins.
		3.5.4.4.5.2	The rapier marshal in charge of an event may dictate modifications or special conditions (i.e. first blood, wounds retained, special armor conditions or weapons) for all fighters participating in individual tourneys.
3.6.3 Conventions of Combat for Rapier Combat
3.6.3.1	Definitions
	3.6.3.1.1	A Valid Blow is any thrust with positive force towards the opponent in line with the blade or any draw cut using at least 8” of the blade.
	3.6.3.1.2	To Draw Cut is to pull the blade away from the opponent while the blade maintains noticeable and constant pressure against the opponent. Push Cuts which are delivered by pushing the blade towards the opponent and tip cuts need not be counted as valid blows.
	3.6.3.1.3	To Win is to render one's opponent unable or disinclined to continue, for any reason.
	3.6.3.1.4	Critical Areas are those which are especially vulnerable to valid draw cuts, and include areas where deep cuts threaten arteries, veins and vital organs, such as: The entire neck, especially at the front of the throat and the sides at the jugular veins The brachial arteries, located inside of the upper arm between shoulder and elbow The femoral arteries, located inside of the upper leg between groin and knee The abdomen between the bottom of the rib cage and the pelvis
3.6.3.2	Conventions
	3.6.3.2.1	Target Area is the entire body. Fighters are considered to be fighting in a shirt and hosen or a skirt, and no blow may be discounted because of the actual clothing worn by the fighter.
	3.6.3.2.2	Killing Blow consists of any valid thrust to the head, neck, or torso; or a valid draw cut to any critical area
	3.6.3.2.3	A Valid Blow (thrust or cut) to an arm or leg will cause the loss of the use of that limb.
	3.6.3.2.4	A Valid Blow to a hand will cause the loss of that hand. The arm may still be used for parrying, but the hand may not grip, hold, or push.
	3.6.3.2.5	A blade may be parried by the off (non-weapon) hand or arm, but the blade may not be grasped or trapped under any circumstance.
	3.6.3.2.6	Blows will be counted as though they were struck with a real blade, extremely sharp on point and edge. Any blow that would have penetrated skin shall be counted as a valid blow. Any blow that strikes a mask, helm or gorget shall be counted as though it struck flesh.
	3.6.3.2.7	In period, any contact between the body and a blade would cause a wound or cut, even if the thrust or draw was insufficient to cause major injury. Therefore, blows must recreate real attacks (thrusts in line with the blade, not slaps; draw cuts with the edge, not the flat).
	3.6.3.2.8	Blow calling is the responsibility of the fighter receiving the blow. Fighters may not call blows they land on opponents. Concerns about blow calling should be reported to the marshal in charge of the bout.
3.7.2 Rules of the List for Rapier Combat
3.7.2.1	Engaging in rapier combat with the deliberate intent to inflict injury on an opponent is forbidden.
3.7.2.2	A combatant may decline any challenge without dishonor, and without specifying a reason. In a tournament this may result in forfeiture of the bout.
3.7.2.3	Combatants may reject the use of a particular weapon or parrying device by an opponent, should they deem the weapon or parrying device unusually dangerous.
3.7.2.4	All rapier combat is done in the round, not strip-style in a line. The one exception is if a combatant has been put on the ground (by the loss of a leg or foot, for example). In that case the mobile combatant may not corkscrew or require the grounded fighter to turn more than about 120 degrees.
3.7.2.5	There shall be no combat between Rapier fighters and heavy weapons (armored SCA combat) fighters.
3.7.2.6	Brawling tactics or deliberate and unsafe misuse of weapons will not be allowed. Examples include (but are not limited to):
	3.7.2.6.1	Grasping, grappling, tripping, or striking the opponent with one's hand or body. Incidental and fleeting contact is permissible.
	3.7.2.6.2	Whipping or chopping with the rapier, dagger, cloak, or buckler.
	3.7.2.6.3	Throwing a cloak over an opponent's face so as to blind the opponent.
	3.7.2.6.4	Striking with any part of the weapon not designed for it, or with any buckler or parrying device not legal for thrusting.
	3.7.2.6.5	Deliberately trapping the blade in any fashion.
3.7.2.7	When a Hold is called, all fighting on the field shall cease immediately. Fighters must assume a non-aggressive stance and not move unless directed to do so by a marshal.
3.7.2.8	Hold shall be called whenever a marshal, fighter or spectator believes conditions warrant it. Such conditions include (but are not limited to):
	3.7.2.8.1	A broken or unsafe weapon, armor, or other equipment.
	3.7.2.8.2	Violations of the rules of combat.
3.7.2.9	Combatants or marshals may request a calibration at any time during a Hold.
3.7.2.10	A fighter is armed so long as at least one offensive weapon is retained. If a fighter is disarmed, their opponent has the option of allowing them to recover their weapon(s); otherwise, a disarmed fighter must yield.
3.7.2.11	A marshal shall, as necessary, warn or remove from the field any fighter whose conduct is deemed unsafe or unchivalrous. Examples of unsafe conduct include (but are not limited to):
	3.7.2.11.1	Striking with excessive force or from behind.
	3.7.2.11.2	Problems with acknowledgment of blows.
	3.7.2.11.3	Deliberate misuse of the Rules of Combat to gain advantage over an opponent.
3.7.2.12	At the end of each bout, before the Herald is called onto the field, the Marshals shall ask each fighter if they are satisfied with the conduct of the bout. If either combatant is dissatisfied with the conduct of the bout, they must state any grievances before walking off the field. Any fighter who leaves the field without stating grievances is declaring his/herself satisfied with the bout.

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