Fencing Draft notes:Protective Equipment

Change log

8.3.4 - Head

Was

If you wear a mask, the rest of your head must be covered by at least penetration-resistant material. This can be worn inside or over the mask.

Now

If you wear a mask, the rest of your head must be covered by at least abrasion-resistant material. This can be worn inside or over the mask.

Functional change

The required protection has been reduced from penetration-resistant to abrasion-resistant material.

Reason

To reduce the risk of heat injury, which has been occurring at a significantly higher rate than penetration injuries

For notes

Heading - date of change.

Following extensive experimentation across several kingdoms, the Society Fencing Marshals' Handbook was updated in January 2024 to reduce the level of armour required in fencing to support a reduction in heat injuries.

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8.5.1 - Torso

Was

You must wear penetration-resistant material to protect your torso, including your chest, back and abdomen, and your upper arm extending at least 10cm from the armpit.

Now

You must wear penetration-resistant material to protect your torso, including your chest, back and abdomen, groin, and your upper arm extending at least 10cm from the armpit.

Functional change

No change

Reason

Changed to explicitly include the word groin as part of the torso requiring coverage by penetration-resistant material for all combatants. This is a clarification of an existing rule, not a change.

For notes

Not required

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8.6.1 - Legs, feet and arms

Was

You must wear abrasion-resistant material on your legs, feet and arms.

Now

You may wear abrasion-resistant material on your legs and arms if you prefer, but it is not required. Note that the upper arm extending at least 10cm from the armpit must be covered by penetration-resistant material.

Functional change

You no longer have to wear any material on your legs, or arms below 10cm from your armpit. It can be bare skin.

Reason

To reduce the risk of heat injury, which has been occurring at a higher rate than abrasion injuries.

For notes

Heading - date of change.

Following extensive experimentation across several kingdoms, the Society Fencing Marshals' Handbook was updated in January 2024 to reduce the level of armour required in fencing to support a reduction in heat injuries.

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Rule number

Was

What the text used to say

Now

What the proposed new text says

Functional change

What does this change actually do in terms of things we can now, or cannot now do?

Reason

Why are you making this change?

For notes

Heading - date of change. What are you going to record about this change in the Notes for the page to explain to readers what happened to the rules. Particularly note if we are being more restrictive than Society rules, or have a variance from Society rules.