General Provisions

All bouts shall be in a square area of 10 feet by 10 feet. Stepping out of the designated area will be penalized as follows: First offense within a bout will receive a verbal warning. Second offense within a bout will receive a touch against. Third offense within a bout will receive a touch against.

It is the participant’s responsibility to call touches against themselves. Dishonorable conduct, such as attempting to circumvent the rules, will not be tolerated and will result in expulsion from the tournament.

It is the responsibility of the participants to have knowledge of and adhere to the rules. Fencers fence at their own risk and peril.

As regards Arms

Only weapons that can be designated as training knives are acceptable for competition. Acceptable knife configurations include bowies, navajas, tantos, and other such training knives insofar as they comply with the dimensions and specifications outlined below:

Blade Style: The blade style can be double or single edged. Stiletto and dagger-styled knives are specifically disallowed.

Point: The knife point must be sufficiently round or blunted so as to prevent accidental piercing or penetration during thrusting.

Length: The blade should measure not less than eight nor more than 12 inches.

The handle should not be longer than six inches in length with the notable exception of navaja handles, which should not be longer than 8 inches in length.

Thickness: The blade thickness should not exceed ½ inch.

Materials: Knives should be sufficiently sturdy for the purpose that they will serve, being constructed of wood or synthetic materials. Such construction material must be such that the knife does not break or result in a jagged or splintered edge under normal sparring conditions. Furthermore, the point, edge(s) and handles of the knife must be sufficiently dulled and/or rounded to the degree that they cannot inflict a puncture or cut to the opponent’s exposed hand or clothing.

As regards Protective Garb

Participants must, at the very least, wear a reliable fencing masks or martial arts headgear that includes regulation face shield.

All head protection must be in functional condition and adequately cover the front, sides, and top of the head, as well as effectively protect the throat.

Steel mesh or bars on masks must be close and sturdy enough prevent penetration or injury from knife thrusts.

Gloves or protective wrist guards must be worn on the lead arm, and optionally on the other arm.

Elbow pads may be worn on one or both arms.

Sneakers or rubber-soled shoes providing proper traction must be worn.

Additionally, the following protective garb must be worn with respect to gender—

Men: standard athletic supporters or cups

Women: additional chest protection constructed of such materials as to afford adequate protection from thrusts

As regards Valid Target

The following areas of the anatomy will be deemed valid targets for knife attacks in the form of thrusts and cuts:

• The lead hand and arm

• The off hand and arm

• The sides of the neck

• The torso, including the groin

• The legs

• The head

Note that the face, and the eyes in particular, are not deemed valid targets for the purposes of the Open Knife Tournament.

As regards Valid Attacks

Thrusts may only be delivered to the valid targets specified above.

Cuts may only be delivered to the valid targets specified above.

All attacks must be cleanly executed and their targets clearly defined. Attacks with the false edge or flat of the blade are to be avoided, and if they occur will not be recognized.

If an opponent is struck on his knife hand or arm, he/she must change guard to his off hand. Likewise, if an opponent is struck on his lead leg, he/she must thenceforth lead with the other leg.

Attacks will also be valid in such cases where one opponent disarms the other, or when the other drops or otherwise loses his weapon. These actions are fully in keeping with the traditional knife-fighting adage, “Lose your knife, lose your life!”

As regards Illegal and/or Disallowed Techniques and Tactics

Excessively hard thrusts and slashes are not permitted to any part of the opponent’s anatomy. The first infringement of this rule will result in a clear verbal warning to the offending party. The second infringement by the same person throughout the course of any one bout will result in their being disqualified.

Pommel strikes may not be used as attacks, although they may used as valid defenses.

Other than for blocking, intercepting, or deflecting, offensive blows from the off hand are not allowed.

Kicking with the toes, heel, or edge of the foot is not allowed.

Under no circumstances may grappling and wrestling actions extend beyond ten (10) seconds. It is the responsibility of the opponent who first began grappling to first disengage. The second opponent may not attack or counter while the first opponent disengages from grappling.

As regards Judges

Judges appointed by the Raven Arts Institute shall conduct the general running of the tournament and render final decision regarding the validity and allocation of attacks. Additional assistant judges may be appointed to monitor actions and confirm their validity.

As regards Scoring

The opponent who first delivers three clear thrusts or cuts upon the other shall be declared Victor of that individual bout.

Each valid attack must be clearly and audibly acknowledged by the recipient at the moment of occurrence.

Simultaneous attacks, where both opponents land valid attacks together at the same time, shall disqualify both opponents.

As regards Code of Conduct

All participants must adhere to the conventional rules of good sportsmanship throughout the duration of the tournament.

Upon entering the combat arena, and prior to donning their masks, opponents must face and clearly salute one another, as well as the judges, and the assembled spectators, in that order.

Upon donning their masks, opponents shall be called to assume their guard position of choice, with the toes of their lead legs a distance of eight feet from one another.

Throughout the duration of the tournament, participants and opponents will refrain from uttering boastful sentiments or addressing others in anything other than a respectful manner.

The director’s word is final in all matters.

As regards Cessation of Engagement

Upon the Presiding Judge’s clear call of “Halt!”, all combat should immediately stop. This shall be called upon all acknowledged and perceived valid attacks landing, and may be called at any other time for reasons of safety.

If any other Tournament participant (opponent or judges) sees good reason to stop combat at any time, they should signal this intent clearly by raising their non-knife hand high in the air. Any attacks landing after halt has been called shall not be counted as valid.

The Raven Arts Institute recognizes and appreciates the courtesy afforded by the Macdonald Academy of Arms in allowing use of their Singlestick Tournament Rules as a model.