Authorisation Requirements

Youth combatants must authorize to fight in tournaments at SCA events. After their initial authorization, they must re-authorize at each division change.

To authorise, youth combatants must be observed fighting, to verify that that they understand and follow the rules and are safe on the field. 
   =====They must be seen to:====
      * Identify the legal and illegal target areas on the body. 
      * Demonstrate losing an arm or leg. 
      * Demonstrate dying defensively. 
      * Throw a calibration blow at another, more experienced fighter, and verify that the blow used appropriate force. If another youth fighter is not available, have the authorizing fighter strike your marshal’s staff. 
      * Spend several minutes sparring with an experienced youth fighter. 
      * Fight a formal bout against an experienced youth fighter, including dying defensively if they are killed.
====The authorising marshal should look for the following behaviors:==== 
      *       Blows struck with appropriate calibration levels 
      *       Acceptance of received blows of appropriate force 
      *       Adherence to rules 
      *       Confidence in the list; not running away from opponents or ducking in fear at incoming blows 

NB: Youth fighters do not have to be skilled to be authorized, they just need to be safe.

      *   Youth fighters may authorize up a division before they reach the listed age if parents and authorising marshal agree that they are ready, based on their skill and size.