Regulations for Heavy Combat:
Kingdom of Drachenwald
1998-10-01
Conventions of combat
General
1. Each fighter shall maintain control over his/her temper at all times.
2. Engaging in any SCA combat activity with the deliberate intent to inflict injury on an opponent is strictly forbidden.
3. Any behaviour that takes deliberate advantage of an opponent's chivalry or
safety-consciousness, or that takes deliberate unfair advantage of an opponent, is
prohibited.
A fighter shall not strike a helpless opponent.
4. In judging the effect of the blows, all fighters are presumed to be fully armoured unless otherwise stated. All 'fully armoured' fighters are presumed to be wearing a lightweight, short-sleeved, knee-length, riveted mail hauberk over a padded gambeson, with boiled leather arms and leg defences and an open-faced iron helmet. Under this standard, an acceptable blow to the face would be lighter than to other portions of the head or the body.
5. Blows must be delivered with sufficient force and must strike properly oriented ( with the edge rather than the flat, in the case of a bladed weapon). Striking an opponent with excessive force is strictly forbidden.
6. Face thrust is a thrust which lands above the collarbones, below the brow, and between the sideburns. A telling blow is one which moves the helmet, not knocks it over nor just touches it.
7. Any loss of a helmet or opening of a visor during combat immediately stops the fight and renders the combatant 'dead'. The defective helmet may not be used again until it has been modified ( to the satisfaction of the Marshal-in-Charge ) to prevent reoccurrence.
8. Blows at the hand or the wrist are forbidden. A blow to the arm, defined as starting 2.5 cm above the bend of the wrist, will disables the arm.
9. Blows at, or below, the knee are forbidden. A blow to the leg or hip, defined as starting 2.5 cm above the top of the kneecap, will disable the leg. If a fighter lifts his/her leg so that an otherwise legal blow is caused to strike below the knee, the blow shall be counted as a blow to the leg.
10. A blow from an axe, mace, pole weapon or other mass weapon that lands on the hip above the hip socket shall be judged fatal.
11. If a wounded limb blocks an otherwise acceptable blow, the blow shall be counted as though the limb were not there.
12. A blow is not counted if the weapon was dropped due to the impact, or if the weapon breaks.
13. In single combat broken weapons may only be replaced by a weapon of the same type, or by back-up weapon, if carried. ( See Rule 16 )
14. Blows started before an event which would usually stop a fight ( being killed, a 'hold' being called, etc.) will be counted; blows started after such an event will not be.
15. Any blow with sufficient force is counted even if it is deflected off of a shield or weapon.
16. 'Anvilling' ( blocking a blow with a weapon which is braced against a fighter's helmet or shield) would result ( with real weapons ) in a broken weapon. Accordingly, the Marshals will warn the combatant who does this twice. Upon the third offence, the weapon will be considered to be 'broken', and the blow will be considered 'good'.
17. A two-handed weapon or any pole weapons shall not be swung through an arc more than 90 degrees. ( no pickaxe or baseball swings are permitted)
18. A shield may be used to displace, deflect, or immobilise an opponent's shield or
weapon.
Deliberately coming into forceful contact with an opponent's head, limbs, or body with the
shield is forbidden.
19. Grabbing of the shield with the hand or kicking the shield is not allowed. This does not forbid shield hooks or presses with shield or with weapon.
20. The blade of a weapon in motion may not be grasped or blocked by the hand or limbs as means of impending the blow. The blade of a weapon may not be grabbed at any time; nor may it be trapped in contact with the fighter's body as means of preventing the opponent's use of the weapon. Neither may the blade on a fighter's own weapon be grasped ( during a block )
21. 'Circling' an opponent who is on his/her knees, except for the stated purpose of turning his/her eyes out of the sun, is forbidden. It is permitted to manoeuvre around your opponent as long as you keep one foot between your opponent's knees.
22. Any fighter in single combat who obtains an unfair advantage by repeatedly losing his/her weapon or falling over ( without being pushed ) will be warned twice. Upon the third offence, the fighter will be held to be defeated.
23. At the conclusion of each combat, if the fighter disputes the outcome, he/she must settle his/her grievance before leaving the list/field. Departing the list/field will be considered acceptance of the results.
Melee/War Conventions
1. We do not wish to recreate a real medieval battle. The same standards of chivalry and courtesy which are shown in the list shall be displayed in group combat. Anyone who refuses to obey the rules reproduced here, or the Rules of the Society, shall be removed from the field.
2. Kill from behind is done by placing your weapon in front of your opponent's visor and announcing in a loud voice "Kill from behind". Using a great weapon or spear, set the haft on the opponent's shoulder, announcing "Kill from behind". Multiple kills are not to be done in a hurried, slap dash manner. Each kill is a separate engagement, and takes a certain amount of time.
3. Kill on the ground is done by placing your weapon on a opponent which either has tripped or fallen or otherwise is helpless lying on the ground announcing "Kill on the ground". Striking a fallen opponent is strictly forbidden.
4. No more than four fighters shall attack one single opponent, except in the case of a shield wall.
5. A shield wall is at least three shields together.
6. If you are engaged with an opponent who then turns away from you while remaining in your weapon range, he/she may be struck. Once out off range he/she must be re-engaged.
7. A fighter who has lost his weapon is not considered defenceless, and no hold will be called.
8. No more than a three step charge at a maximum speed.
Armour and Weapons standards
Definitions
1. Steel: hot or cold rolled mild steel, or equivalent ferrous metal such as stainless steel.
2. Plate: steel of not less than 1.4 mm
3. Leather: leather approx. 3 mm thick.
4. Heavy Leather: stiff leather approx. 6 mm thick; sole leather.
5. Rigid Material: a. Steel of not less than 1.0 mm b. High impact plastic such as ABS or polystyrene. c. Heavy leather. d. or equivalent.
6. Equivalent: At all times refers to the impact resistance, distribution and absorption characteristics of the specified material, not the physical dimension.
7. Padding: unless otherwise specified, quilted or multi-layered cloth material, such as mattress pads, moving pads, carpet, felt, or equivalent.
Armour
True armour of mail, plate, brigandine, leather, etc. is highly encouraged because it enhanced both safety on the field and the SCA goals of authenticity and practical research.
A. Helmets
1. Helmets shall be constructed of steel of not less than 1.6 mm. ( the mass of the Helmet is an important part of the protection)
2. Face guards shall prevent a 25.4 mm diameter dowel from entering any facial opening.
3. Bars used in the face guard shall be of steel of not less than 4.5 mm
4. Helmets and gorgets shall be constructed so that a sword tip can't touch any bare skin on the neck or throat.
5. All Helmets shall be equipped with a chin strap or other means of preventing it from being dislodged during combat. An equivalent might be a strap from the Helmet to the breastplate. A tight fit is not equivalent. The chin strap shall be at least 1.3 cm wide and placed so that it does not tend to strangle the wearer.
6. All parts of the Helmet which comes into contact with the head shall be lined with at least 1.3 cm foam, or it's equivalent.
7. Eyeglasses worn within the Helmet shall be either 'sports glasses' designed to withstand heavy impact, or have polycarbonate lenses. Glass lenses, including 'safety glasses', are not acceptable.
B. Neck Armour
1. The larynx and cervical vertebrae must be covered by a Helmet, and at least one of the following combinations:
* A plate gorget or a gorget of rigid material, suitably padded to minimise impact transmittal to the neck, or arranged in such a way that impact is not transmitted to the neck ( connected to the breastplate).
* A mail or heavy leather coif, lined with at least 1.3 cm of closed-cell foam, or an equivalent thickness of resilient padding.
* A mail or heavy leather camail or aventail, suspended from the Helmet, worn over a padded coif, and extending well out onto the shoulders in such a way that it is held away from the neck.
* A heavy leather strip at least 5 cm wide, with extensions at front and back, extending downward far enough to cover the larynx and the cervical vertebrae, and lined with a least 1.3 cm of closed-cell foam, worn collar fashion.
2. The area of the larynx and the cervical vertebrae must remain covered during typical combat situations ( turning the head, lifting the chin, etc. ) .
C. Body Armour
1. The entire torso shall be protected by a padded gambeson or the equivalent.
2. The kidney area, short ribs, and lower spines shall be covered by a minimum of heavy leather worn over 6.5 mm of closed-cell foam or equivalent padding. Rigid armour for the kidney area is strongly recommended.
3. For men, the groin must be covered by a hockey, soccer, karate, or baseball cup or equivalent, worn in a supporter designed to hold it. For women, a protection of equivalent design.
4. For women, breast armour in the form of a single breastplate is strongly recommended. Separate breast cups are prohibited, as they can be more dangerous than no armour at all.
5. Shoulder protection is STRONGLY! recommended. (Try to cover the shoulder joint by rigid material.)
D. Hand and Wrist Armour
1. The outer surfaces of the hand ( including the back and base of the thumb ), and the wrist must be covered by one or a combination of the following
* A metal basket hilt with enough bars or plates to prevent a blow from striking the back of the hand. If a basket hilt is used, a vambrace and leather glove with a section of leather which must cover the back of the hand and the base of the thumb. No opening of the basket hilt may be larger than 32 mm.
* A gauntlet made of rigid plates, either lined with padding or foam, and designed to transfer force to the surface being grasped. ( Finger gauntlets in which the plates cover individual fingers but not form an arch over the finger to transfer force to the grasped surface aren't adequate )
* Unprotected hockey gloves are forbidden.
Note: The shield hand MUST! be protected by some device that protect the fingers and thumb ( Basket hilt or a heavily padded glove with the fingers attached together so they won't split )
E. Arm Armour
1. The point and bones at either side of the elbow joint must be covered by rigid material underlain by 7 mm of padding or by a shield. This armour shall be attached in such a way that the elbow remains covered during combat.
2. A vambrace that covers both bones in the forearm shall be worn on any exposed forearm. The vambrace shall be at least leather worn over 7 mm padding. Vambraces on both forearms are strongly recommended.
F. Leg Armour
1. The kneecap and both sides of both knee joints must be covered by rigid material with at least 7 mm padding. The armour shall be attached in such way that the knee remains covered during combat. Steel knee cups with 'fan' or 'spade' plates projecting rearward from the outside surface of the knee joint are strongly recommended.
2. Sturdy boots or shoes that cover the entire foot must be worn on both feet.
3. A minimum of 13 mm padding over the thigh. Heavy leather is strongly recommended.
G. Appearance of Armour
1. To promote and enhance safety and authenticity on the field, all armour should be made to appear as realistic and as authentic as possible. Blatantly mundane articles should be covered up or disguised in some fashion.
Weapons Standards
Definitions
1. Sword:
Any single or double edged, bladed, cutting weapon, designed to be used with one hand,
with or without a thrusting tip. Maximum length 1.83m and maximum weight 2.25kg
2. Great Sword:
A sword built to be used with two hands. Maximum length 2.29 m and maximum weight 3.15 kg
3. Mace:
A hafted impact weapon with a radically symmetrical heavy spiked or flagged head. Maximum
length 0.91m and maximum weight 2.25 kg
4. Axe, Warhammer:
A one or two sided hafted cutting and/or smashing weapon, resembling the tools for which
it is named after. Maximum length 0.91 m and maximum weight 2.25 kg.
5. Polearm:
A shafted cutting, smashing, and/or thrusting weapon, having or combining the
characteristics of mace, axe, hammer, and spear designed to be used with two hands.
Maximum length 2.29 m (7.5 feet) and maximum weight 3.15 kg
6. Spear:
A shafted weapon, designed to be used solely for thrusting. Maximum length for a spear is
2.72 m (9 feet).
Weapons
Weapons that look similar to real weapons is highly encouraged because it enhance the authenticity in the fighting.
A. General Sword Requirements
1. Swords shall be constructed of rattan and shall not be less than 32 mm in total diameter ( including rattan and tape ) along their entire length.
2. The edges of the blade shall be rounded and the striking surface no less than 32 mm cross-section.
3. The tip of the blade shall be rounded.
4. The full length of the blade, including the tip, shall be wrapped with duct tape or it's equivalent in such way that no rattan splinters protruded.
5. Swords shall have a hand guard such as a basket hilt, quillions, tsuba, or equivalent.
6. Pommels shall be firmly securely fastened.
7. When a thrusting tip is used, it shall be no less than 51 mm in diameter, and shall provide at least 12.5 mm of progressively resistant 'give' under pressure without allowing contact with the rigid tip of the weapon. The thrusting tip shall be marked with a contrasting colour, but not the same as the edge.
8. No sword may have a thrusting tip affixed to the quillions or pommel of the weapon.
9. The edge of the weapon must be clearly marked with contrasting tape.
10. A sword used single-handed shall have a wrist strap or trigger of such material as shall prevent the weapon from leaving the immediate vicinity of the user.
11. Laminated blades will not be allowed. A laminated blade is one which has several pieces of rattan taped, glued, or otherwise bound together which decreases the flexibility of the blade.
B. General Great Sword Requirements
1. Great swords shall be constructed of rattan and shall not be less than 32 mm in total diameter ( including rattan and tape ) along their entire length.
2. The edges of the blade shall be rounded and the striking surface no less than 32 mm cross-section
3. No Great sword may have a thrusting tip affixed to the quillions or backend of the weapon.
4. Maximum length of the grip is 48 cm ( from the pommel to the quillion ).
5. Maximum length of the quillion is 35 cm ( constructed of rattan or equivalent material)
6. When a thrusting tip is used, it shall be no less than 51 mm in diameter, and shall provide at least 25.4 mm of progressively resistant 'give' under pressure without allowing contact with the rigid tip of the weapon. The thrusting tip shall be marked with a contrasting colour, but not the same as the edge.
C. General Mass Weapon Requirements
1. Hafts shall be of rattan of no less than 32 mm in diameter ( including rattan and tape ).
2. Heads may only be constructed out of foam, tape, cloth, leather, rubber, flexible plastic.
3. The head shall not be constructed solely of rigid materials. The head must be firmly attached to the haft. The head shall allow some progressively resistant 'give' between the striking surfaces and the haft.
4. The haft shall be completely wrapped in tape in such way that no rattan splinters protrude.
5. All striking surfaces shall be rounded, with no square corners. All striking surfaces must be clearly marked with contrasting tape.
6. Thrusting tips shall conform to sword thrusting tip standard.
7. One-handed mass weapons shall be no longer than 91 cm and have a maximum weight of 2.25 kg. Two-handed mass weapons shall be no longer than 1.22 m and have a maximum weight of 2.25 kg.
8. A mass weapon used single-handed shall have a wrist strap of such material as shall prevent the weapon from leaving the immediate vicinity of the user.
D. General Pole Weapon Requirements
1. The shaft shall be made of rattan of not less than 32mm and may not be overly 'whippy'.
2. Head construction shall be in accordance with mass weapon standards. The head shall not weigh more than 1.35 kg
3. All striking surfaces must be marked with contrasting tape.
4. When a thrusting tip is used, it shall be no less than 51 mm in diameter, and shall provide at least 25.4 mm of progressively resistant 'give' under pressure without allowing contact with the rigid tip of the weapon. The thrusting tip shall be marked with a contrasting colour, but not the same as the edge.
5. No pole weapon may have a cutting and/or smashing head at both ends.
6. A pole weapon which has a 'buttspike' shall not exceed 1.83 m in total length.
D. General Spear Requirements
1. A spear of rattan shall not exceed the total length of 2.72 m (9 feet). The spear shall be of rattan of no less than 32 mm in diameter. The thrusting tip must have 51 mm of progressively resistant 'give' under pressure without allowing contact with the rigid tip of the weapon or folding over. The thrusting tip shall be at least 51 mm in diameter.
2. A spear of Pulltruded Fiberglas shall not exceed the total length of 2.72 m (9 feet). A spear of Pulltruded Fiberglas shall have following measurements: outer diameter 32 mm and inner diameter 25.4 mm and have a end cap out of PVC. The thrusting tip must have 76 mm of progressively resistant 'give' under pressure without allowing contact with the rigid tip of the weapon or folding over. The thrusting tip shall be at least 76 mm in diameter.
E. General Shield Requirements
1. Shields shall be constructed of materials equivalent or superior to 12.5 mm plywood in terms of strength and must not give any unfair advantages to their user ( chrome polished shields ).
2. Shields shall be edged with leather, rubber hose, or other padding in such a way as to minimise the damage to rattan.
3. No shield may ever be used as a weapon.
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