Authorisation procedures

General

1. Participants must be authorised to compete in any fencing combat event or to serve as a marshal.
2. To be authorised, participants must pass a verbal and practical combat test to show that they:
   • understand the rules
   • understand the requirements for protective equipment and weapons
   • can fight safely (for a combat authorisation).
3. Special considerations should be made for fencers with unique needs. All fencers must be able to fight safely, but this may take a different form for different people. For example, a person using a wheelchair might not be able to move laterally but might demonstrate the ability to curl defensively rather than stepping out of the way when necessary.
4. The practical combat test includes fencing against another fencer, and is observed and directed by the Authorising Fencing Marshal. In rare circumstances, where there is no other way for the fencer to undertake an authorisation, the Kingdom Fencing Marshal may act as the authorising marshal remotely, observing and directing the combat over a live video.
5. The practical combat test must occur within one month of the verbal test, and must be a dedicated practical combat test - it is not sufficient to simply have seen the fencer fight during a tournament, for example.

Authorising fencers

1. If you are an Authorising Fencing Marshal, you can authorise fencers to take part in fencing combat.
2. You must have a current authorisation card to conduct an authorisation. Having a copy of your authorisation paperwork while you are waiting to receive a new card is not enough.
3. There are four categories of fencing combat authorisations:
   1. Standard fencing (including rubber band gun)
   2. Cut and Thrust fencing, noting:
      1. candidates must already have a Standard fencing authorisation to authorise in this category
      2. there is no waiting period to authorise for Cut and Thrust.
   3. Spear, noting:
      1. candidates must already have a Standard fencing authorisation to authorise in this category
      2. there is no waiting period to authorise to use a spear.
   4. Gunner (rubber band gun only) - for people who do not have a Standard fencing authorisation).
4. You can authorise fencers for any category in which you are authorised.

Assessing a fencer

1. Your job is to make sure that fencers understand the rules and that they are able to use their weapons and defensive objects safely. Can the fencer behave in a way that they are unlikely to injure themselves or others?
2. The authorisation includes:
   • a verbal examination, where you ask the fencer questions about the rules
   • a practical examination, where you watch the fencer fight another marshal or an authorised fencer.

Verbal test

1. Can the fencer explain what protective equipment they should wear, and why it is required?
2. Do they understand the equipment requirements for weapons and defensive objects?
3. Do they know where to ask questions if they should run into any issues regarding an aspect of SCA combat?

Practical combat test

1. Can the fencer advance and retreat safely, moving in a controlled way on uneven ground?
2. Can they use their weapons safely to:
   • attack their opponent and their weapon?
   • score a good blow using a thrust, cut or percussive cut (in a Cut and Thrust authorisation), without hitting too hard?
   • defend against an attack from their opponent?
3. Can they fight safely using either hand?
4. Can they use the different defensive objects safely?
5. Can they demonstrate the correct actions when a hold is called?
6. Can they fight safely:
   • from their knees or sitting?
   • when their opponent is on their knees or sitting?
7. Can they continue to fight safely when their opponent is advancing rapidly or retreating?
8. Can they properly acknowledge a good blow?
9. Can they fight safely against multiple opponents and as part of a team? (Note: this should be tested if it is possible, allowing for the number of available fencers to take part in the authorisation bout.)
10. Can they perform a "kill from behind" as described in the melee rules?
11. Can they "kill a gunner" as described in the rules?

Assessing a Gunner

A gunner is a non-fencing combatant who is authorised to use a rubber band gun.

Assessing a Gunner for safety includes the following:

Verbal test

1. Can the Gunner explain what protective equipment they should wear, and why it is required?
2. Do they understand the equipment requirements for a rubber band gun?
3. Do they know where to ask questions if they should run into any issues regarding an aspect of SCA combat?

Practical combat test

1. Can the Gunner use their rubber band gun safely, including loading, re-loading, and targeting and firing at their opponent?
2. Can they demonstrate how to safely discharge their rubber-rubber band gun when a hold is called?
3. Can they respond correctly to a fencer using the "killing from behind" or "killing a gunner" rules?

Completing paperwork

1. If they pass, the fencer should complete an authorisation form and get you to sign it.
   1. The fencer must then send the form to the Kingdom Lists Officer, so they can get an authorisation card. Scan or photograph the completed form and email it.
   2. The fencer should keep a copy of the paperwork (hard copy or a digital photograph). They can use the copy for up to 90 days as evidence that they are authorised. After 90 days, the paperwork is no longer valid.
2. The same process applies apply to fencers aged under 18. Additionally:
   1. The Kingdom Fencing Marshal or their delegate must give their approval for the authorisation to be undertaken.
   2. A parent or guardian must witness the authorisation and complete the section on the relevant Minor Authorisation form.[link]

Authorising a marshal

The authorisation includes:

• a verbal examination, where you ask the candidate questions about the rules
• a practical examination, where you watch the marshal inspect a fencer and a variety of equipment.

Assessing a Fencing Marshal

1. If you are an Authorising Fencing Marshal, you can authorise Fencing Marshals.#Fencing Marshals do not have to be authorised fencers.
2. Fencing Marshals are responsible for inspecting fencers to ensure that their protective equipment and weapons meet the requirements of these rules, and safely supervising combat.

Verbal test

The marshal authorisation should include a verbal test to show that the marshal understands:

• the rules
• the requirements for protective equipment and weapons
• calling a hold and dealing with safety issues
• how to apply the Concussion Recognition Tool 5
• how to escalate matters through the chain of command.

Practical combat test

The authorisation should also include a practical combat test to show that the marshal is able to properly conduct an inspection of a fencer's protective equipment and weapons, and safely control combat. This test may include a scenario where the fencer's equipment or weapon does not meet requirements.

Completing paperwork

1. If they pass, the new marshal should complete an authorisation form and get you to sign it:
   1. The new marshal must then send the form to the Kingdom Lists Officer, so they can get an authorisation card.
2. The new marshal should keep a copy of the paperwork (hard copy or a digital photograph). They can use the copy for up to 90 days as evidence that they are authorised. After 90 days, the paperwork is no longer valid.

Authorising Fencing Marshals

Note: Authorising Fencing Marshals must be authorised fencers. They also must be authorised in a category (for example, Cut and Thrust Combat) to be able to authorise a fencer in that category. They must also have a current authorisation card to conduct an authorisation.

Authorising Fencing Marshals are responsible for authorising fencers to take part in combat, or authorising marshals. An Authorising Fencing Marshal must be authorised by two Authorising Fencing Marshals. The marshal authorisation should include a verbal test to show that the marshal understands:

• the rules
• how to escalate matters through the chain of command.

The authorisation should also include a practical combat test to show that the marshal is able to properly conduct an authorisation, working with an authorised fencer acting as a candidate. This includes:

• running the verbal test
• supervising the practical combat test
• deciding whether to pass or fail the candidate, providing the reasons for doing so
• recommending a course of action for a candidate who fails.

This test may include a scenario where the candidate deliberately fights outside the rules to test the marshal's awareness and understanding. (This must be planned between the two combatants, so that safety is maintained).