Youth Armoured Combat:Glossary

Abrasion-resistant material

Material that will withstand normal combat stresses (such as being snagged by an unbroken blade) without tearing.

Aventail

A piece of metal, heavy leather, or other rigid material attached to the back of a helmet. It protects the back of the neck.

Bevor

A piece of metal, heavy leather, or other rigid material attached to the front of a helmet. It protects the throat.

Camail

A drape of chainmail, leather, or padded cloth that hangs from the helmet. It protects the neck.

Closed-cell foam

A solid foam made from polyethylene, EPV, or vinyl nitrate without interconnected pores resulting in a higher compressive strength than open-cell foams. Common uses are pipe insulation, camping and fitness mats, and sports padding.

Coif

A cap of chainmail or padded cloth worn under a helmet that extends to the base of the neck. It may be long enough to also cover the shoulders.

Death from Behind

A specialized attack sometimes allowed during melee combat where the attacker "kills" an opponent from behind without attempting to strike. Death from Behind is a minimal contact, or no contact, form of attack.

Gauntlet

An armored glove covering the back of the hand, fingers, and thumb and the points and back of the wrist.

Gorget

A protective collar for the neck. It may also protect the larynx and cervical vertebrae. Heavy Leather - At least 10 ounce leather, about 3/16 inch thick.

HDPE - high-density polyethylene

(see Irrigation pipe and PEX)

Irrigation Pipe

Shatter-resistant plastic pipe made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) sized to be a substitute for iron pipe in exterior plumbing applications. Often used for in-ground sprinkler systems. Found in many hardware stores. It is usually black in color. May be orange when used for electrical conduits. See also: Sil-o-flex. Light Gloves - Gloves made of cloth, canvas, or thin leather.

Light Leather

This is 4 to 6 ounce leather about 3/32 inch thick.

List Field, Tourney Field

The defined area for fighting, or the fighting field, usually with a roped-off boundary.

Mass weapons - maces, axes, war hammers, or other weapons designed primarily to crush or punch holes (on account of the weight of the real weapons), rather than primarily to cut (on account of sharp edges on the real weapon).

Medium Leather

This is 7 to 9 ounce leather about 1/8 inch thick.

Melee

Combat fought between teams of two or more persons per side.

Open-cell foam

Foam made with interconnected pores. Common uses are for seat cushions, mattress pads, and packaging.

PEX

Shatterproof plastic pipe made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) sized to be a substitute for copper pipe and CPVC pipe in interior plumbing applications. Found in many hardware stores. Available in black, white, red, or blue colored. Colored orange when intended for radiant floor use.

Polearms

Hafted weapons, generally long, designed to be wielded with two hands (e.g., glaives, halberds, etc.).

Progressively resistant give

As pressure is applied it will compress gradually without bottoming-out.

Puncture-resistant material

Any fabric or combination of fabrics that will predictably withstand puncture.

PVC

Plastic pipe usually white or gray in color. May shatter upon impact. It is NOT legal for youth combat.

Rigid material

Metal, shatter-resistant plastic, heavy leather, or leather that has been hardened.

Siloflex

Brand name for plastic pipe made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) sized to be a substitute for iron pipe in exterior plumbing applications such as in-ground sprinklers. See: Irrigation pipe.

Xiphoid process

This is the area at the base of the sternum that is cartilage that fuses into bone in adulthood.