COMMENTARIES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE JUDGING AND DIRECTING OF
RAPIER BOUTS
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of these rules
and regulations is to put in place safe and sane criteria for the practice of
the art of the rapier. It is not the intent of these rules to recreate
"actual rapier combat," but rather to outline basic parameters for
conducting fencing with the rapier. In the opinion of the Association it is
impossible to replicate personal combat to the most minute detail and authentic
conditions without resorting to actual bloodshed.
It is the intent of this
regulatory system to insure that those who wish to practice the historical
forms of fencing with the rapier can do so in an honorable and reasonably
realistic fashion that stresses safety.
1.0 General Provisions
All rules listed herein are to be enforced without modification in official AHF
events, unless permission is granted by the AHF Executive Committee to modify
the rules for a given competition.
All bouts shall be fenced
in a square area (hereafter referred to as the 'ring') of no less than 25 feet
in length by 25 feet in width and no more than 35 feet in length by 35 feet in
width. Only official AHF tournament representatives may alter the size of the
ring in the event of space limitations or safety requirements. Stepping out of Bounds (one foot constitutes
out of bounds) will be penalized as per section 5.0.
Permitted weapons forms
are: Single Rapier, Rapier and Dagger, Rapier and Cloak. Rules will be
demonstrated prior to all official AHF Competitions. Double Rapier and Rapier
and Buckler are NOT permitted at this time.
Fencers fence at their
own risk and peril and are responsible for knowing and adhering to the rules as
stipulated.
2.0 WEAPON &
EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS
Rapiers
These must be of the cup, shell, or swept-hilt variety and mounted with blades
that are either double-wide epée (also sold as "musqueteer" blades),
Del Tin Practice Rapier blades, or practice schlager blades (oval or diamond).
Blades must be between 35 and 45 inches in length. There shall be no
prohibition against different types of blades being used against each other.
Daggers
Daggers shall have hilts of either the ring, cross, or shell variety, and must
have quillons. Blades must be of the flexible fencing dagger type (the
"flexi-dagger," "safety-flex", or similar type). Daggers
made from cut-down epée or foil blades, and any blades specifically designed to
catch or break an opponent's blade are all specifically prohibited.
Cloaks
Cloaks may be of any stout material which will not snag on an opponents blade.
Cloaks cannot be weighted on the edge, nor may they in any way present a danger
to the fencer- such as cloaks which are tattered, have holes, or are in a state
of disrepair.
General Weapon
Specifications
Rapiers and daggers must be constructed in as historically accurate a manner as
possible within the realm of safety. The hilts of weapons must be constructed
without any type of eccentricity with regard to the quillions, knuckle bow, or
ricasso, and without anachronism, such as offset guards. The blade must NOT be
mounted obliquely with respect to the quillions. Moreover, the blade must be in
good condition, free of rust and burrs, and may have only a single, gradual
curve. Blades may be neither too stiff (rigid) nor overly flexible (whippy),
subject to the discretion of the director and officials.* The point of the
blade must be covered with a winding of waxed thread covered with adhesive tape
and then covered with a leather patch or rubber coating. Rubber or plastic
buttons, or their equivalent (such as rubber "archery blunts"), are
acceptable, but must be secured to the blade with adhesive tape.
* The quality of the blades
as manufactured will be taken into consideration. Any blade not made by
commercial manufacturers must be approved by the tournament officials.
Clothing and Protective
Equipment
Three-weapon fencing masks (12 Kg Punch test) with thick, sewn-in bibs are
required for competition. Extra protection for the throat, such as a gorget
made of steel or leather (no less than 4 oz) is required, and must be
sufficiently padded to provide impact protection.
Standard three-weapon
uniforms or equivalent commercially available protection, which, in order to
facilitate judging of touches may be of any solid color but black, are required
for competition. Uniforms must be made of strong material, preferably of
heavily padded cotton duck or canvas. Long pants or fencing knickers must be
worn and must be of a strong, tight weave, non-stretch material. No bare flesh
may be exposed. Stiff leather doublets or buff coats are not allowed.
Heavy plastrons over the
jacket are recommended, as are elbow protectors, padded sleeves, padded leg
coverings, kneepads, shin guards, etc. Breast protectors are required for
women, and rigid groin cups are required for men.
Padded sabre gloves for
both hands, or the equivalent, are required. The cuffs of the gloves must go
over and cover the sleeves by at least three (3) inches, and construction must
be of sturdy leather or equivalent.
All weapons & equipment
must be inspected prior to the beginning of the tournament.
3.0 TECHNIQUE AND SAFETY
Target Area
The target area shall include all parts of the body except the back of the
head.
Cuts
Cuts which are brutal, that is, delivered with excessive force, or are made by
hacking, chopping, whipping, or bludgeoning, are strictly prohibited. Cuts made
by laying the blade on target and drawing are not acceptable or permitted, as
these are not true draw cuts. Cuts landing over steel shall be declared valid.
Thrusts
Thrusts must land distinctly on target, and the blade must bend sufficiently on
impact to demonstrate penetrating power. The exception to this rule is thrusts
to the mask (including the head, face, or throat), which must be pulled to
avoid injury. If these blows are not pulled, they will be judged excessively
violent and shall be punished accordingly by the director. Jabbing or punching actions are forbidden.
These do not qualify as thrusts.
Use of the Unarmed Hand
The use of the unarmed hand is permitted. The unarmed hand may be used to parry
at the option of the fencer.
Seizing of the blade is
permitted. The fencer seizing the blade can do so only momentarily. Twisting or
pulling the blade, however, is prohibited. This is not the same as disarming,
in which the blade, hilt, or arm is seized in a manner specific to the
technique. The defending fencer, in order to avoid injury to the fencer who has
seized the blade, must not twist or pull his weapon away when it is seized.
Permissible actions in this case include letting go of the weapon (which is
counted as a disarmament) or employing a counter seizure. If a counter seizure
is employed, the director will call a halt to ensure safety and forestall
grappling.
Disarming techniques by
means of seizing the arm, forte of the blade, or hilt of the adversary's
weapon, are permitted. This is counted as three points scored against the
fencer who was disarmed. If a fencer loses his primary weapon he loses the bout
and three points are scored against him. If a fencer loses his secondary weapon
he must fence without it. However, should a fencer drop his weapon as a result
of the impact on a valid target surface, that shall not be considered a disarm.
In this case, a halt shall be called and the fencer shall be allowed to reclaim
his weapon. The decision of whether a weapon was dropped because of a valid
impact shall be solely at the discretion of the director, and this decision
shall not be affected by the decision of the judges.
4.0 INFIGHTING &
GENERAL CONDUCT
Infighting is permitted.
However, discretion and self-control must be exercised. If the director feels
that the action has become irregular and unsafe, he must immediately stop the
action. Similarly, if the action becomes obscured so that the director and
judges cannot interpret the action, the action must be stopped.
The use of the unarmed hand
for checking and pushing is permitted. Use of the weapon for checking or
pushing is permitted. Actions and techniques that constitute a blow, striking,
or impact are prohibited.
Ducking, weaving, and
slipping, and all evasive displacements of the body, including those in which
part of the body comes in contact with the ground, for the purpose of avoiding
being hit are permitted, provided the action remains controlled. (This
constitutes displacement of the target.) However, should the director feel that
the action is uncontrolled or constitutes a fall, he shall halt the bout. This
is considered unsafe and will be dealt with as a violation of the rules,
section 5.0 (officiating).
Dishonorable conduct, such
as attempting to circumvent the rules, will result in a warning for the first
offense and ejection for any subsequent offense.
Vindictive acts of any kind
will result in disqualification and ejection from the event. The AHF Board of
Governors may also ban the offender from all events for a period of any length,
up to and including a lifetime ban from Association events.
Wrestling techniques are
forbidden. This includes, but is not limited to, tripping and knocking down the
adversary. The use of striking actions such as punches, chops, and kicks are
forbidden. Blows of any variety are forbidden. Grappling techniques are
forbidden, including but not limited to joint locks, throws, and tripping. The
fencer who causes body contact without either brutality or violence, even
several times in succession, has not violated this rule and is guilty of no
irregularity.
ANY VIOLATION OF THE
WRESTLING AND GRAPPLING PROHIBITIONS WILL RESULT IN EJECTION.
5.0 OFFICIATING
Every formal bout will be
presided over by a Director of Combat. The director's function is to ensure
that the combat proceeds smoothly and fairly. He must see that the fencing is
conducted in accordance to the rules and must halt any swordplay that, in his
opinion, is unruly, patently unfair, and/or unsafe. Additionally, the director
shall have the power to:
The Director will be
assisted in his duties by four judges, the responsibility of whom it will be to
watch for touches occurring during the bout, which they will signal against the
fencer who was touched by loudly and distinctly calling “touch” or “hit”.
To begin the bout the
Director shall bring both contestants to the center of the fencing area
("ring"). These fencers shall wear contrasting colored indicators.
Once the Director has assured that everything is in order (such as that the
fencers are wearing the proper indicators and using inspected weapons, wearing
the approved uniform, etc.) he shall bring them on guard with the command
"Gentlemen (or fencers) take your guard." He shall then step back and
give the command to "Fence." Each fencer fences in his own way and at
his own risk and peril. The fencers shall cease fencing upon the command
"Halt. If required, the Director shall use a staff to separate the
fencers.
All bouts shall be for
three points, with points scored against the fencer receiving the touch.
Thrusts to the body and face shall count for three points, to the rest of the
body for one point. All cuts count as one point. In all bouts there shall be a
time limit of five (5) minutes. If the score is tied at the end of this time
period or no touches are made, one additional touch will be fenced without time
limit to determine a winner.
Upon seeing a touch or the
signal for a touch from a judge, the director shall stop the bout and poll the
judges as to the direction of the touch (who was touched,) the type of touch,
whether point or cut, and where it arrived. Judges shall have one vote each and
the director shall have one and one-half votes. In the event of a tie vote, the
vote of the director shall be the deciding one. Should the jury agree that
there was a hit, but disagree as to its point value (e.g. whether it was to the
chest or arm), one point shall be awarded. A minimum of two votes is required
to award a touch. A fencer may declare a touch against himself or decline a
point awarded in his favor. However, the director has final say in such cases.
In the case of a double
touch (encounter), both fencers shall be considered touched unless in the
opinion of the director one touch was clearly out of time. In the case of an
encounter where one fencer is struck with a one point touch and the other with
a three point touch, the fencer receiving the three point touch is defeated,
unless the other fencer had two touches against prior to the encounter, in
which case both are defeated. In case of a double defeat (simultaneous reaching
of three points against), the bout shall be re-fenced for one touch - that is,
the first touch regardless of point value shall determine the winner. In the
case of a double hit while re-fencing for one touch, both fencers will be
considered defeated.
Speaking while under arms
is not permitted except with the permission of the director, gained by making a
foot call (stamping the front foot twice) and being recognized by the director.
Emotional outbursts, or
displays of temper before, during, or after a bout are forbidden. Participants
must exhibit self-control and good manners.
Violations of these rules
will be dealt with in the following manner, unless otherwise noted elsewhere in
the rules:
6.0 SPECTATORS
Spectators must not
interfere in any way. Coaching by voice or gesture, commenting in a loud voice,
swearing, using foul language, or abusing officials is prohibited. Spectators
behaving in an unruly manner, creating a nuisance, and/or preventing orderly
proceeding of the contest will be warned, and if they persist in their actions,
ejected.
The AHF Rules Committee
Jeannette Acosta-Martinez,
Chair
Ramón Martínez, ex-officio
Jana Umbs
Christopher Umbs
Keith S. Massey
Rules Author: Ramón
Martínez
Editors: Keith S. Massey and Andy Baiman
Revisions December 2002:
Jeannette Acosta-Martinez,
Chair
Ramón Martínez, ex-officio
Jana Umbs
Christopher Umbs
These rules are the sole
property of the Association for Historical Fencing, Inc. and may not be reproduced
in whole or in part in any form without the express written permission of the
Executive Committee.
Association for Historical
Fencing, Inc. 1999
Revised December, 2002