Armoured Combat Draft:Change Log

This change log covers proposed changes from the previously approved version.

Changes for 3.3.1 - will become version 3.4 when approved

Changes in Chapter 2 - Combat Authorisation Requirements

2.1.2.a in General

New bullet point

the risks of concussion, the signs and symptoms of concussion, and can apply the Concussion Recognition Tool.

Functional change

Requires participants wanting to authorise or reauthorise to show that they know the risks of concussion, the signs and symptoms of concussion and can apply the Concussion Recognition Tool.

Reason

We want to highlight the risk of concussion, and help our people learn to recognise it in themselves and other participants. Mirrors requirements in fencing rules.

For Notes section

November 2023 - Knowing the signs and symptoms of concussion is now a required part of authorisation testing. We need our people learn to recognise it in themselves and other participants, and not fight when concussed.

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2.1.14 in General

Was

A rostered marshal in Lochac may revoke the authorisation card of a fighter in Lochac (even if they are an overseas visitor) for just and stated cause.

Now

A rostered marshal in Lochac may suspend the authorisation card of a fighter in Lochac (even if they are an overseas visitor) for just and stated cause.

Reason

Updated to reflect current wording in 11.2.

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Changes for Chapter 4 - Conventions of Combat

Insert new rule, and renumber subsequent rules

If there is an incident where you think you may have been concussed, you must leave the field immediately, and may not return to combat activities of any type until cleared to do so by a healthcare professional. The signs and symptoms of suspected concussion can be found in Concussion in Sport Group's Concussion Recognition Tool.

Functional change

Mirroring the requirements for withdrawing if bleeding, and aligning with the injury management procedures. You must leave the field if you suspect you have been concussed.

Reason

We want to highlight the risk of concussion, and help our people learn to recognise it in themselves and other participants.

For notes section

November 2023 - We need you know what to do if you think you might have been concussed, and how to recognise it. Even minor head injuries can have long-term consequences if not treated with due care.

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Changes to Chapter 7 - Armour Requirements

7.8.1 - Groin

Was

The groin must be protected to a standard equivalent to that provided by an athletic cup or pubic protector, secured by straps, or worn in a supporter or fighting garment designed to hold the protection in place.

Now

Testicles must be protected to a standard equivalent to that provided by an athletic cup, secured by straps, or worn in a supporter or fighting garment designed to hold the protection in place.

Functional change

Removes the requirement for groin protection for anyone who does not have testicles (regardless of gender)

Reason

Research by medical personnel has not found data to support the need for rigid groin protection for women, even for high contact sports or similar activities.

For notes

November 2023 - The requirement for people without testicles to wear groin protection was removed from Society armoured combat rules in October 2023. Research by medical personnel has not found data to support the need for rigid groin protection for those without testicles, even for high contact sports or similar activities. The wording reflects input from the DEIA community to accommodate variations. The potential for permanent life-changing injury due to testicular trauma is why groin protection is required.

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7.9.3 - Body

Was

If breast protection is worn, separate floating breast cups are prohibited unless they are connected by an interconnecting rigid piece such as a heavy leather or metal breastplate.

Now

Removed

Functional change

Separate breast cups for chest protection are no longer prohibited

Reason

Not needed for safety issues. Originally intended to dissuade "fantasy" armor styles. Removes ambiguity raised for other acceptable armour styles such as lamellar, scale, small plate armor.

For notes section

November 2023 - The prohibition on separate breast cups for chest protection was removed from Society armoured combat rules in October 2023. The rule was not needed for safety issues, and was originally intended to dissuade "fantasy" armour styles. The rule also created some ambiguity around other acceptable armour styles such as lamellar, scale, or small plate armour.

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7.11 - Hand

Was

A shield with a shield basket or equivalent. A shield alone is not sufficient, since it covers only the back of the hand, but not the wrist, fingers or thumb.

Now

A side-strapped shield with a shield basket or equivalent. A shield alone is not sufficient, since it covers only the back of the hand, but not the wrist, fingers or thumb.

Functional change

Only side-strapped shields with a shield basket can be hand protection.

Reason

Society rule change - Clarifies hand protection requirement with a shield. Removes ambiguity with center grip shields

For notes section

November 2023 - Society rules were clarified in October 2023 to specify that only side-strapped shields with shield baskets or equivalent can be used for hand protection. There was some ambiguity around centre-grip shields.

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Changes in Chapter 8 - Melee Weapon Standards

8.2.3.6 in Two-handed weapons and Table 8.1

Was

The total length of a two-handed weapon must not exceed 3.65m (12 feet). If it exceeds 2.28m (7 1/2 feet) it must not be used for cutting or smashing and must be used for thrusting only.

Now

The total length of a two-handed weapon must not exceed 2.74m (9 feet). If it exceeds 2.28m (7 1/2 feet) it must not be used for cutting or smashing and must be used for thrusting only.

Functional change

Maximum weapon length is reduced from 12 feet to 9 feet

Reason

Society rule change - Game play rule change at Society level. The six kingdoms (including Lochac) that still allowed 12 foot all reported that there would be no issue returning to 9 feet.

For notes section

November 2023 - To ensure consistency between kingdoms, the Society armoured combat rules were changed in October 2023 to reduce the maximum length for two handed weapons (particularly spears) to 2.74m (9 feet). Lochac was one of only 6 kingdoms in the Known World that permitted the use of 12 foot spears in their kingdom rules.

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Was 8.3.4 in Fibreglass spears

Was

2" Mandrake™ tips are not legal on fibreglass spears.

Now

Removed and subsequent rules renumbered.

Reason

Society rule change - 2 inch Mandrake tips are not legal on any weapon over 7 1/2 feet. Now covered by rule 8.4.3.5

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Was 8.3.11, now 8.3.10 in Fibreglass spears

Was

Total spear length must not exceed 3.65m (12 feet).

Now

Removed and subsequent rules renumbered

Reason

Now covered by rule 8.2.3

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Table 8.2 and 8.4.2 in Thrusting tips

Was

Low-profile thrusting tips on single-handed weapons must be constructed of at least 19.1 mm (3/4 inch) of resilient material. They must provide at least 9.53 mm (3/8 inch) of progressive give across the face of the thrusting tip without allowing contact with the rigid tip of the weapon.

Now

Low-profile thrusting tips on single-handed weapons must be constructed of at least 12 mm (1/2 inch) of resilient material. They must provide progressive give across the face of the thrusting tip without allowing contact with the rigid tip of the weapon.

Functional change

Reduction of padding thickness for low-profile thrusting tips on single-handed weapons from 3/4 inch to 1/2 inch. The amount of progressive give is less important at this scale, as long as there is some

Reason

Society rule change - The 1/2 inch thickness has been successfully used in Trimaris for 10 years with no issues.

For notes section

November 2023 - A Society armoured combat rule change in October 2023 reduced the minimum thickness of low-profile thrusting tips on single-handed weapons to 12 mm. This was successfully used in Trimaris for 10 years with no issues.

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8.3.6 in Fibreglass spears

Was

The end of the shaft to which the thrusting tip is attached must be covered with a schedule-40 PVC cap.

Now

The end of the shaft to which the thrusting tip is attached must be covered with a schedule-40 PVC cap or equivalent non-metallic rigid material.

Functional change

Other materials can be used for end caps.

Reason

Society rule change. Wording change is intended to remove issues with the legality of commonly used commercially available tips being used safely across the SCA.

For notes section

November 2023 - A Society rule change in October 2023 allows for other materials to be used for the end caps on fibreglass spears, which removed issues with the legality of commonly used commercially available tips being used safely across the SCA.

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8.4.3.5 in High-profile Thrusting Tips

Was

2" Mandrake™ tips are not legal on fibreglass spears.

Now

2 inch Mandrake™ tips are not legal on weapons greater than 2.28 m (7 1/2 ft) in length.

Functional change

2" Mandrake™ tips are no longer legal on any weapons greater than 2.28 m (7 1/2 ft) in length, not just illegal for fibreglass spears

Reason

The tips can fold and penetrate the bar grill of a helmet. The manufacturer advises that they were not designed for use on weapons like spears.

For notes section

November 2023 - A Society rule change in October 2023 prohibited the use of 2-inch Mandrake brand thrusting tips on all weapons over 7 1/2 feet. The tips can fold and penetrate the bar grill of a helmet. The manufacturer advises that they were not designed for use on weapons like spears.

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Changes to Chapter 10 - Missile Weapon Standards

10.3.8 in Arrows and bolts

Was

Blunts must be secured using a strip of good quality 13mm-wide electrical or fibre tape wound down around the sides of the blunt for at least 13mm, and then up onto the shaft of the arrow for 25mm as per figure 10.1. Blunts must be firmly secured to the shaft so that they cannot come off on impact or if the shaft is broken. To allow inspection of possible punch-through the face of the blunt must not be covered.

Now

Blunts must be firmly secured to the shaft by good quality electrical or fibre tape so that they cannot come off on impact or if the shaft is broken. To allow inspection of possible punch-through, the face of the blunt must not be covered.

Functional change

Removed specification for width of tape

Reason

As long as the tape is sufficient to keep the head on, the width of the tape used is irrelevant. Often not followed (nor checked).

For notes section

November 2023 - The requirement for tape used to secure blunts to be exactly 13mm wide has been removed. As long as the tape is suffcient to keep the blunt on the shaft securely, you can use other width tape.

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Changes to Marshal Handbook v2.2.1 - will become v2.3 when approved

Changes to Chapter 3 of Marshals Handbook - Authorisation of Marshals

3.3.3.a.vi in Authorising as an assistant marshal

Additional rule

the risks of concussion, the signs and symptoms of concussion, and can apply the Concussion Recognition Tool

Functional change

Requires assistant marshals wanting to authorise or reauthorise to show that they know the risks of concussion, the signs and symptoms of concussion and can apply the Concussion Recognition Tool.

Reason

We want to highlight the risk of concussion, and help our people learn to recognise it in themselves and other participants. Mirrors requirements in fencing rules.

For notes section

November 2023 - Knowing the signs and symptoms of concussion is now a required part of authorisation testing. We need our people learn to recognise it in themselves and other participants.

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3.4.3.b.v and 3.5.4.b.vi

Was

The injury reporting procedures

Now

The injury management and reporting procedures

Functional change

Marshals need to know how to deal with injuries, such as concussion which requires removal of a participant, not just report on them.

Reason

Account for management of concussed fighters.

For notes

Not required.