Disclaimer.
The rules are applicable for all events in the League, but we reserve the right to change them at any time.
Protective Gear:
All fencers must be kit checked by a referee before participating in competition. If a fencer’s kit changes during the tournament, they must inform a referee and have the updated kit rechecked. Any intentional evasion of these rules is grounds for disqualification.
Note that there must be no exposed bare skin, including at the nape of the neck, the back of the shins, the palms, and the wrist
Fencing Mask: FIE 1600N masks. Masks must not show signs of distress/damage that will impact on their use, like dents or rusting. Masks must come with an overlay.
Back of Head Protection: The back of the head needs to be covered by a solid, rigid protector, without significant gaps.
Gorget: We require a throat guard covering the front of the throat, worn under the mask, and including a rigid plate (soft foam alone is not sufficient). Gorgets with plastic like Red Dragons, PBT etc are permitted.
Jackets: A well padded HEMA jacket, a padded sport fencing coaching jacket, or a sport fencing jacket over significant other protection (eg motocross padding, solid chest guards etc). Jacket must be rated to at least 350N. Sole exception- older SPES jackets that were unrated but are the same construction as the more recent rated SPES jackets. Jacket should have a blade catcher at the collar. Protection should cover the points of the hip – if not then padded fencing trousers or a SPES skirt must be worn.
Chest protector: Required for rapier & dagger. For longsword, sword & buckler and sabre tournaments required for women, recommended for men.
Gloves: For longsword: heavy gloves, such as SPES Heavy gloves, Koning gloves or Sparring Gloves. Metal gauntlets are not allowed. Red Dragon or similar gloves are not suitable for longsword but are allowed for sabre and sword & buckler.
Undergloves must be worn with Sparring Glove brand gloves, as no skin may be left exposed.
For sabre + sword and buckler: Red Dragon gloves (or similar robust lacrosse gloves) represent the minimum level of protection- leather or kevlar gloves with minimal padding are insufficient. We suggest wearing additional fingertip protection where possible.
For rapier: padded sport fencing gloves are the minimum level of protection. Gloves must overlap the sleeves of the jacket.
Elbows: Solid protection is required for longsword, sword & buckler and sabre. Recommended for rapier & dagger.
Forearms: Solid protection is required for longsword, sword & buckler and sabre. Recommended for rapier & dagger.
Knees: Solid protection including the sides of the knee is required for all weapons.
Shins: Solid protection required for all weapons.
Trousers: rated fencing breeches or trousers are not mandatory but strongly recommended. They are likely to be mandatory in future years.
Socks are mandatory if breeches are worn, as no skin may be left exposed.
Groin Guard: Required for men. Recommended for women. This must be worn under trousers or breeches.
Weapons:
All tournaments are conducted on a “Bring Your Own Sword” basis.
Weapons are to be checked for flexibility, signs of damage etc. You may not use a sword which has previously suffered a serious deformation and been re-straightened. Where we give example manufacturers these are merely examples of makers whose products we have experience with, not guarantees that any particular weapon will pass examination.
All weapons must be an approximate and fair match to weapons commonly used by participants in any given tournament.Though we have approximate length and weight parameters, any weapon that is deemed to offer a unique and unfair advantage might be refused regardless of it meeting these parameters on paper.
Points must be rolled, swollen, fattened, and ultimately blunt with a large enough surface area to eliminate any risk of injury. If deemed too small or too pointy by the tournament manager or referee, a plastic tip will be required, which can be provided by tournament organisers.
All rapier points need to be tipped as above, or with a brass or steel spent casing.
Rubber tips are not allowed, as they grip masks and increase the chance of injury, while also being susceptible to being “pierced through” by the sword point, or otherwise breaking in use.
Sabre: “Gymnasium” sabres with fattened or rolled tips.
Weight and balance should be representative of a sword capable of delivering effective cuts. Broadswords with fully enclosed basket hilts are not allowed. Stirrup hilts, or simple crossguards are allowed, but a longsword glove must be worn.
86cm max blade length. Min weight 790g. Max weight 1000g.
Example manufacturers: Regenyei, Kvetun.
Hanwei Hutton sabres and similar are not allowed. Broadswords with fully enclosed basket hilts are not allowed.
Longsword: “Federschwert” type sparring longswords with fattened or rolled points.
Maximum length 140cm. Maximum weight 1800g. Side rings of reasonable size are allowed. Cross-guards and schilts must be well rounded and not prominently pointed.
Regenyei ‘Tulip’, ‘Tulip Maestro’, and ‘Crown’ schilts, or similar, are unsafe and not allowed.
Example makers: Regenyei, Kvetun, Ensifer, Pavel Moc, Szymon Chlebowski, Castille.
Rapier: Cup hilts or pappenheimer guards are recommended for additional hand protection. Weight and balance should be representative of a sword capable of delivering effective cuts as well as thrusts. Long “musketeer” type epee blades are not allowed. Maximum blade length is 115cm, measured from the crossguard. Points must be capped with hard plastic tips, which may be provided by organisers.
Brass or steel spent bullet casings are also acceptable.
Rubber tips are not allowed, as they grip masks and increase the chance of injury, while also being susceptible to being “pierced through” by the sword point, or otherwise breaking in use
Example makers: Balefire Blades, Kvetun, Bellatore, Regenyei.
Daggers: Sail hilts are recommended for additional hand protection. Maximum blade length is 45cm. Points as per rapier. Hanwei dagger blades are not allowed.
Sword & Buckler: Arming sword or sidesword with either widened point, rolled point, or an attached safety point. Weight and balance should be representative of a sword capable of delivering effective cuts as well as thrusts. Maximum blade length is 92 cm.
Buckler maximum diameter 35cm. Safe edges, for example, leather or rolled steel, are required. Targas and other non-round shields are not allowed.
Updated: 10/10/22