Melee Conventions

The Use of Weapons

1. Weapons shall be used in accordance with their design. For example, spears may only be used for thrusting, axes for striking along the edge of the blade, maces for striking with the head, etc.
2. Only weapons approved for thrusting may be used for that purpose. Before any bout where a thrusting weapon is used, the opponent and marshals shall be informed that such a weapon is on the field, and the thrusting tip shall be shown to the opponent.
3. The striking surface of a weapon in motion may not be grasped or blocked by the hands or limbs as a means of impeding a blow.
4. If a combatant intentionally places an illegal target area (e.g., an empty hand and or lower leg, including the knee and foot) in the path of a blow, the combatant forfeits that attached limb as if it had been struck in a legal target area.
   1. Inadvertently bringing the hands in contact with the striking surface of a weapon in motion, as when attempting to block a blow with another weapon shall not be considered to be in violation of this convention.

The Use of Shields

1. Shields must be controlled by the hand. Use of passive shields (not controlled by the hand) will be treated as decorative armor and subject to effective blow acknowledgment.
2. Shields may not be used for striking an opponent