Youth Armoured Combat Draft:Weapon Standards

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Weapons Standards - All Divisions} }

General

1. All weapons must be inspected regularly for deteriorated or compromised foam, as well as damaged or broken cores or materials and components
2. Metal must not be used in any weapon. That includes things like basket hilts, pommel weights, screws or other fasteners, and hose clamps.
3. Flails are not allowed.
4. Materials that might shatter or splinter on impact must not be used for the core or cross guards of any weapon.
5. PVC must not be used in any weapon.
6. Approved materials for weapon cores are:
   1. Rattan, either shaved or skin-on, with a diameter between 19 mm and 25 mm for most weapons.
      1. Two-handed weapons longer than 165 cm, used in Division 3 only, can use rattan up to 32 mm or less in diameter.
      2. Both ends of the rattan must be rounded.
   2. Common forms of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipe, used for irrigation and plumbing. Examples are Sil-o-Flex and PEX.
      1. Any size of HDPE pipe can be used provided the actual outside diameter of the pipe is not less than 19 mm, the youth can securely grip the pipe, and the weapon is within weight limits.
      2. HDPE pipe must have both ends capped, plugged, or otherwise covered to prevent the pipe from cutting through the foam.
   3. Other materials may be approved by the Kingdom Youth Armoured Combat Marshal once they have been through the proper procedure for experimentation and found to be acceptable.
7. The striking surface of any weapon must not be less than 38 mm wide.
8. Thrusting tips and cutting edges must be marked in a contrasting color.
9. Wrist straps, lanyards, and triggers are recommended but not required.
10. Pommels, cross-guards, and the butt ends of weapons without butt spikes must be covered with at least 9 mm closed cell foam and covered with a loose single layer of duct tape or cloth.
11. Weapons must not exceed 75 grams in weight per 10 cm of length.
12. If a weapon has a head:
    1. It must be constructed solely of lightweight foam.
    2. The head must be firmly and securely attached to the haft.
    3. Striking surfaces must have compression characteristics similar to weapons without a defined head.

Single-handed weapons

1. Striking surfaces must be covered with at least 9 mm of closed cell foam extending 25 mm or more past the end of the core material. The foam must be covered with a single loose layer of duct tape or a cloth sleeve.
2. Thrusting tips must be constructed of closed cell foam covered with duct tape or cloth. They must extend 5 cm past the end of the core and be at least 6.5 cm in diameter.
3. Thrusting tips must be constructed so that they do not fold over.
4. Non-metal basket hilts are permitted on single-handed weapons.

Two-handed weapons

Two-handed weapons, including those which can be used with one or two hands, must have the following requirements:

1. Two-handed weapons must be constructed in the same way as single-handed weapons except as outlined below.
2. Given the excessive flexibility of HDPE pipe in warm temperatures, it is recommended (we should choose) that these cores be limited to single-handed weapons except in Division 1.
3. Weapons must not have a cutting and/or smashing surface at both ends.
4. The maximum length of weapons in each division is as follows:
   1. Division 1: Must be less than 1.5 meters.
   2. Division 2: No weapons may be longer than 1.65 meters.
   3. Division 3: No weapons may be longer than 2.25 meters.
5. Weapons exceeding 1.8 metres must not be used for cutting or smashing and must be used for thrusting only (spears).

Thrown weapons

1. These weapons can be used for striking and can also be thrown in melee scenarios where thrown weapons are allowed. Examples are thrust-and-throw javelins and axes.
2. Throwing axes can be used in any division and are constructed from only closed cell foam and tape.
3. Axes must not be excessively large or heavy. Define excessive
4. Javelins are constructed from a single diameter of HDPE pipe and can be used in melee combat in Divisions 2 and 3. "single diameter?
   1. They can be thrown or be used as a single-handed thrusting weapon
   2. The thrusting tip must conform to standard weapon thrusting tips.Which standard?
   3. The butt end must not be used offensively. It must be padded with foam in such a manner that it cannot penetrate a 5 cm opening.
   4. Fins or stabilisers of foam or duct tape can be attached near the back end.
   5. Javelins must be between 125 and 165 cm long.