Fencing Draft:Supervising Combat

This section is for Fencing Marshals and authorised Fencers supervising combat.

General

1. If fencing is going to happen at an event or practice, there must be Fencing Marshal-in-Charge of that event or practice. They must be an authorised Fencing Marshal.
2. Any time fencers are fencing, an authorised Fencing Marshal must have taken responsibility for that fencing and that everyone has been properly inspected. That responsible marshal must either directly supervise the fencing themselves or delegate that supervision to another willing Fencing Marshal or authorised fencing combatant.

Supervising single combat

1. You can supervise single combat if you are a Fencing Marshal or an authorised combatant.
2. You are not allowed to marshal with impaired judgement, which includes:
   • being impaired by an injury such as a concussion
   • being impaired by alcohol, prescription or over-the-counter medication, or illegal or controlled substances.

   If you are not legally fit to drive, you are not fit to marshal!

3. You are responsible for making sure everyone, including fencers, spectators, other marshals and yourself, is safe during combat. Everyone is expected to follow your instructions during a bout.
4. At the start of the bout, you must check the field for any hazards (such as holes or loose ground), ask the combatants if they are ready and then call for the bout to begin (such as "lay on", "allez", "begin", etc.).
5. During the bout you should be watching the fencers and the fight, and be alert for any safety issues. These may include but are not limited to:
   • a blunt coming off a sword or dagger tip
   • a broken piece of equipment
   • a piece of protective equipment coming loose
   • the fencers coming too close to the edge of the field (you should warn them if this is about to happen, for example, with a call of "Ware edge!")
   • a person or animal entering the field.
6. If you see a safety issue, you should call a hold. (Someone else can also call "Hold!" if they see a safety issue):
   1. make sure the fighting stops and both fencers are in a non-threatening position
   2. explain the safety issue (or ask the person who called the hold)
   3. make sure the issue is addressed
   4. make sure the fencers are ready and then call for them to resume the fight.
7. At the end of the bout, you should ask the fencers if they are satisfied. This is their chance to raise any issues that arose during the bout.
   1. If the issue cannot be resolved upon the field, then the discussion should be taken off the field. (see Rules for managing incidents)

Supervising melee combat

As well as the requirements for supervising single combat, there are additional requirements for melee combat, which involves multiple combatants.

1. The Marshal-in-Charge must brief all marshals and fencers before the start of the melee activity. This includes:
   • details of planned scenarios and a revision of melee rules
   • procedures of the identification and removal of "dead" combatants
   • procedures to remove abandoned equipment
   • rules of engagement
   • rules for the use of "killing from behind".
2. All combatants must be inspected before the start of each day's melee activities.
3. Combatants must have regular breaks (at least every 20 minutes), for water and to reduce the risk of unsafe behaviour.
4. There must be at least one marshal (or authorised fencer) supervising every eight fencers on the field. If there are not enough qualified people available, then the number of fencers must be reduced to match the number of marshals.
5. When you are supervising a melee, you should be aware of calls from other marshals during the bout.
6. You should also pay attention to additional hazards, such as fencers who lie on the ground after being "slain", or equipment left on the ground after a fencer is incapacitated.
7. You should also make sure fencers are obeying melee rules such as not turning their back on an opponent, and using "killing from behind"" correctly, if allowed in the scenario.

Supervising rubber band guns

There are additional requirements for single or melee combat that includes the use of rubber band guns.

1. Rubber band guns are not allowed to be used in the Lists of a tournament. Rubber band guns can be used for other single combat.
2. Rubber band guns are only allowed to be used if spectators can be kept further away than the effective range of the weapon.
3. Everyone on the field of combat, or within range, must be wearing protective equipment. Marshals can wear head protection (as per section 8.4) as a minimum.
   1. You should make sure everyone is wearing their armour and masks are on before you allow rubber band guns to be loaded.
   2. You should make sure all rubber band guns are unloaded or have been discharged into the ground or other safe location before you allow people to remove their masks.
4. During a hold, loaded rubber band guns must be placed with their muzzle placed against the ground or other safe location, such as into the wielder’s shoe, to prevent accidental discharge. If unarmoured people, such as first aid providers, need to enter the field during a hold, rubber band guns must be discharged into the ground or other safe location.