Fencing Draft notes:Weapons And Defensive Equipment

Changes for v6.0

Was 5. Rules for equipment, now 9. Weapons and defensive equipment

Moved 5.1 to 8.3

Now sits with the information on protective equipment, so title updated.

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Was 5.2.2, now 9.1.2 in Swords and daggers

Was

Blades must have at most one substantial curve.

Now

Blades must have at most one substantial curve. Blades that are so curved that the tip does not contact the ground when the grip is perpendicular to the ground (i.e., pointed vertically) are not allowed.

Figure X(number to be updated). With the handle vertical, the tip must touch the ground. In this example, the sword on the left is allowed, the sword on the right is not.

Functional change

Blades that are so curved that the tip does not contact the ground when the grip is perpendicular to the ground (i.e., pointed vertically) are not allowed.

Reason

From Society rules Apr 2020

For notes

June 2023 - Included rule and diagram from Society rules about curved blades.

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Was 5.2.4, now 9.1.4 in Swords and daggers

Was

Not in rules

Now

Bladed weapons must not have more than one blade

Functional change

Adds requirement that bladed weapons may only have one blade.

Reason

To align with 6.2.4 of Society level rules.

For notes section

June 2023 - Added requirement for blade weapons to only have one blade as per Society rules.

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9.1.5 in Swords and daggers

Insert new rule

Orthopaedic (or "Pistol") grips are not allowed unless you have a disability which would stop you participating without it.

Functional change

Prohibits orthopaedic grips unless needed due to disability.

Reason

To align with Society rule

Flagging - prohibition not in current Society rules, was in 2018 rules

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Was 5.3, now 9.2 Blades

Was

Sword and dagger blades used in Lochac can be made of steel or fibreglass.

Now

Sword and dagger blades used in Lochac can be made of steel or fibreglass. The use of fiberglass blades is listed in Society's Exceptions to Allowed Blades rules

Functional change

None

Reason

The use of fibreglass blades is not currently listed in Society Fencing rules, so linking to the document that currently provides for us to continue to use them.

For notes section

June 2023 - Approval has been sought from the Society Rapier Marshal and US Board of Directors for a variance to use fibreglass blades in Lochac on an ongoing basis. At present, approval only exists in an appendix to the previous Society Fencing rules, and is not referenced elsewhere, but still published on the Society website. This variance will allow Lochac to continue to use fibreglass blades should that document be removed.

Was 5.4.2.b, now 9.3.2.b in Tips

Was

The blunt must have a minimum size of 9mm on any surface that strikes the opponent.

Now

The blunt must have a minimum size of 10mm on any surface that strikes the opponent.

Functional change

Increase in required blunt size by 1mm

Reason

In line with other blunt definitions in the handbook

For notes section

June 2023 - Blunt size has been increased to 10mm from 9mm to make it consistent throughout the handbook.

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Was 5.4.6, now 9.3.6 Tips

Was

You must make sure the tape does not cover the front of the blunt, so that you can tell if the tip of the blade is breaking through.

Now

The tape must not cover the front of the blunt, so that you can tell if the tip of the blade is breaking through.

Functional change

None

Reason

Make it really clear that the tape must not cover the front of the blunt.

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Was 5.6.1 Spears - General

Was

You can use two kinds of spears for fencing combat in Lochac. These are:

• rubber-headed spears
• steel-headed spears.

Now

5.6 Spears

5.6.1 - You can use rubber-headed spears for fencing combat in Lochac. You cannot use steel-headed spears.

Subsequent rules from what was 5.6.2 become subrules of 5.6 (5.6.2-7, and what was 5.6.3 Steel-headed spears is removed entirely.

Functional change

Steel-headed spears are no longer permitted in Lochac or the rest of Society.

Reason

Steel spears are not permitted for fencing combat after 31 December 2021, at the direction of the Society Marshal.

For notes section

June 2023 - Steel spears were no longer not permitted for fencing combat after 31 December 2021, at the direction of the Society Marshal.

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9.5.8

Insert new rule

Spears may have a spear-head at each end.

Functional change

Explicitly allowing them

Reason

Because they weren't explicily mentioned, there was confusion as to whether they were allowed.

For notes

June 2023 - Clarification that spears may have a spear head at each end.

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9.6.2.10 in Rubber band guns - Ammunition

Insert new rule

Rubber tubing used to make ammunition must have a minimum diameter of 6 mm while at rest.

Functional change

Rubber tubing used to make rubber band gun ammunition now has a minimum tube diameter

Reason

To align with 6.4.3 of Society level rules (though Society rules state "in flight", which is not measurable).

For notes section

June 2023 - Added rule about diameter of rubber tubing used for rubber band ammunition to align with Society Fencing rules.

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Was 5.8.1.5, now

Was

You are not allowed to use an object that can bind an opponent's weapon to their body, or to their other weapon or defensive object - either deliberately or by accident. This might include ropes or whips. You can use a coiled rope or whip to deflect a weapon.

Now

Objects which even temporarily bind your opponent's weapon to their person or equipment, whether by design or repeated mishap, are not allowed. This may include ropes or whips used in this manner. Ropes or whips used in such a way as to deflect and not bind are allowed.

Functional change

None

Reason

Closer to Society wording

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9.7.2.4

Insert new rule

Non-standard defensive equipment includes, but is not limited to:

• bucklers with a spike or projection more than two inches perpendicular to the main plane of the buckler or the central boss, whichever is applicable. The central boss does not count as a spike or projection.
• bucklers with additions which could reasonably be expected to trap or catch a blade (such as rings or hooks);
• axes;
• Talhoffer "judicial duelling shields" and Talhoffer bucklers;and
• bucklers made out of uncommon materials, such as vegetables, children’s toys, etc.

Fencers should use common sense when applying this definition and be conservative when considering if a defensive item is non-standard, especially when a less-experienced fighter is concerned if an object would be safe to fence against.

Functional change

More items may now clearly be defined as non-standard.

Reason

Current language around non-standard defensive equipment is unclear, is limited in scope, and is open to interpretations. A change is needed to assist in clarity while also protecting fencers from potentially advanced tools. A blanket approval for these items would allow barely-authorised fencers to use a tool which could be safe in the hands of an expert, but not a newer fencer. This is a mid point compromise between banning for safety, and blanket approval.

"Non-standard" defensive items require the marshal and opponent to agree to their use.

For notes section

June 2023 - Previous language around non-standard defensive equipment was open to interpretations. A change was needed to assist in clarity while also protecting fencers from potentially advanced tools. A blanket approval for these items would have allowed barely-authorised fencers to use a tool which could be safe in the hands of an expert, but not a newer fencer. The wording used is a mid-point compromise between banning for safety, and blanket approval.

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