Fencing Draft notes:Taking Blows

Was 2.7.1, now 7.1.1 in Valid blows

You are responsible for calling out the blows that hit you.

Now

You are responsible for acknowledging blows that hit you. You need to acknowledge a valid blow clearly with words and/or motions, such as "good arm" or "dead".

Functional change

You need to acknowledge good blows.

Reason

Closer to Society wording, how to acknowledge was missing from rules. Standard practice however.

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Was 2.7.2, now 7.1.2 in Valid blows

Was

When you fight, you are generally considered to be fighting with very sharp weapons, and wearing ordinary clothes that would not protect you.

(a) any thrust or cut that would have...

Now

In judging blows, all combatants are presumed to be wearing thin clothing, such as unpadded linen, not armour, and that the opponent's weapon is extremely sharp on point and edge. Any blow that would have penetrated the skin in the judgement of the person receiving the blow shall be counted a good blow.

(a) any blow that would have...

Functional change

None

Reason

Rewording to be closer to Society rule

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Was 2.7.3, now 7.1.3 in Valid blows

Was

The only time this changes is if organisers hold a tournament where they define areas of the body that are protected as if you were wearing real armour.

Now

The only time these rules change is if organisers hold a tournament or other event with different victory conditions, such as saying "only blows to the head count". However, organisers may not increase the force required for a blow to be "good".

Functional change

Allows for alternate scenario rules for combat.

Reason

Aligns closer to Society standard while also providing more flexibility for alternate rulesets for Marshals.

For notes section

October 2023 - Marshals may use scenarios that allow for different victory conditions, eg. restricting target areas or counted blows, but can't change required blow strength.

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Was 2.7.6.c, now 7.3.c in Blows to the arms and hands

Was

If you lose both arms, you cannot hold a weapon and you cannot continue.

Now

If you lose both arms, you cannot hold a weapon and may choose to yield.

Functional change

None, clarification

Reason

Clarifying unclear language

Was 2.7.7, now 7.4.1 in Blows to the legs

Was

If you are hit in the outside thigh, the lower leg or the foot, you cannot put weight on that leg....

Now

If you are hit in the thigh, the lower leg or the foot, you cannot put weight on that leg....

Functional change

None

Reason

No reason for outside to be here - inner thigh is only a kill 10cm down the inner thigh, not the whole length. Also removes confusion of inner vs outer and the border.

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Was 2.7.7.b, now 7.4.1.b in Blows to the legs

Was

If you were hit in your lower leg or foot, you can kneel and move around on your knees. This is a change from the previous rules.

Now

If you were hit below your thigh, you can kneel and move around on your knees.

Reason

Remove redundant text. Not a change from v5.

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Was 2.7.7.c, now 7.4.1.c in Blows to the legs

Was

If you were hit in your upper leg, you can kneel, but you are not allowed to rise up or move on your knees.

Now

If you were hit in your thigh, you can kneel, but you are not allowed to rise up or move on your knees.

Functional change

None

Reason

Simplified wording

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Was 2.7.7.d, now 7.4.1.d in Blows to the legs

Was

If you are hit on your leg during a Cut and Thrust bout, combat can continue subject to the rules for leg injuries. This is a change from the previous rules.

Now

If you are hit on your leg during a Cut and Thrust bout, combat can continue subject to the rules for leg injuries

Remove redundant text. Not a change from v5.

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7.4.2-4 in Blows to the legs

Was

Not in rules

Now

2. It is courteous to turn a kneeling or seated combatant so that they are not facing into the sun.

3. When one combatant is kneeling or seated and the other is standing, it is forbidden for the standing combatant to circle, turn or "corkscrew" the kneeling combatant more than 90 degrees in either direction from the starting position.

4. It is forbidden for a standing combatant to over bear or press (with body, weapon or other object) a kneeling or seated combatant to the point that the kneeling or seated combatant cannot straighten their upper body perpendicular to the ground. This rule is meant to allow the kneeling or seated combatant to straighten if they desire and is not intended to keep the standing combatant from leaning forward to stay in range if the kneeling or seated combatant leans back.

Functional change

Addition of rules to maintain the comfort of a legged fighter.

Reason

This language is taken verbatim from the Lochac Armoured Combat Handbook, and then adding "or seated". It works to ensure a more controlled bout without unnecessarily discomforting the legged fighter.

For notes section

October 2023 - Addition of rules to maintain the comfort of a legged fighter. These rules are similar to those found in armoured combat.