Rules

General Rules

Competition Format

With the exception of Spear v's Sword & Shield, all events will run with a set of pools after which competitors will be ranked. The top x amount will progress to a round of eliminations, through to medal winning matches. The number that make it through to eliminations will depend on the amount of entrants but it will typically be either top 4, 8 or 16.

For Spear v's Sword & Shield (S&S), the competition format will be based on the Swiss system. This is to ensure there will always be one of each in every match. Fighters will fight a first round of randomized matches with spear matched against S&S competitors. After the first round concludes then both spear and S&S will be ranked from first to last (in two separate set of rankings). In the second round, the top ranked spear will fight the top ranked S&S and so on. After the second round the fighters will be re-ranked and the tournament will continue as before. This will be repeated for as many rounds as there is time (with a minimum of 4). At the end the top three from each team will fight to determine who will receive the individual gold/silver/bronze medals.

Match Format

Unless listed in the exceptions, each match will be run as follows: •Each fencer will start in their corner. •The referee will start the exchange by saying “fence” or “fight”. •Once a scoring action has been observed, the referee will call “halt” and all fencing must immediately end with both fencers returning to their corners. •The head referee will then consider the results of the exchange, awarding points to either fencer depending on their actions in the exchange, or no points depending on the outcome. •Each match lasts for either three minutes or until a fencer scores 10 points, whichever comes first. •The round timer will not stop for regular discussion but will be stopped for protests and more in-depth judge discussion. •“Last Exchange” will be called 10 seconds before the timer expires to ensure fencers are aware that their current or next exchange is the final one before the match finishes.

Scoring

Unless listed in the exceptions, the following scoring applies to all weapons and all events. Target zones for bladed weapons (swords or daggers) will score as per the table below and as illustrated.

Disarms

Disarming an opponent scores a full 3 points if the opponent is disarmed of their sole scoring weapon.
If an opponent is wielding 2 scoring weapons (like a rapier and dagger) and is disarmed of one weapon then the fight should continue until a scoring action is made.
If the fighter is left solely with a shield or buckler then the fight is stopped and 2 points awarded.

One Handed Strikes

One handed strikes made by Longswords will score one less point than they would have if the strike was delivered with two hands.
This does not apply if the one handed strike happens while in control of the opponents main scoring weapon (such as in a grapple).
If a fighter has control of their opponent’s secondary weapon (but not the main scoring weapon) then one handed strikes are still -1.

Bucklers, Shields & Pommels

Strikes with a buckler are allowed and score 2 points. However, only the bowl of the buckler can be used and the only valid target area is mesh of the mask.
If a fighter is using a Targa then no strikes with the Targa are allowed.
Pushing with shields is allowed but do not score.
Strikes with the edge of any shield are not permitted.
Pommel hits to the mesh of the mask with a long sword are allowed and score 2 points.
Pommel hits from other weapons are not allowed, unless stated in the exceptions.
As with all strikes, any strike with a buckler/shield/pommel must be done with appropriate control.

After-blows

After an initial strike is landed, the fighter who is struck has a brief window to attempt an after-blow.
The after blow must be a single action and occur within one “tempo” of the original action.
A notable pause before the after-blow is delivered will mean the after-blow is considered “out of time” and non-scoring
A complex compound attack that takes more than one tempo of action will also be considered out of time.
Having to take more than one step to deliver your afterblow will also be considered out of time.
An attempt to parry the initial strike is not considered part of the after-blow. We encourage fighters to attempt parrys and an attempted parry will not be considered part of the ‘single action’ of their after-blow. A failed parry with a successful in-time riposte is considered a quality after-blow and not a delayed compound attack.

Protests

After the referee has announced the scores for an exchange, the fighters may protest the result if they strongly disagree. This is done by raising your hand and waiting for the referee to approach and discuss with you.
Always allow the referee to finish their original call before protesting and do not leave your corner or protest loudly before being approached by the referee.
The referee may then confer with their side referee and the other fighter before making a decision on the protest.
In the flurry of a match it is easy for fighters to miss part of the exchange (such as not feeling a double hit through protective gear) and possible for referees to also miss elements of the exchange. We encourage fighters to protest if they feel strongly that the original call was incorrect but also to accept the outcome of any protest with good grace given the difficulty involved.
There is no limit to the number of protests. However, if the referee believes that a fighter is protesting every call against them to ‘play the odds’ they will warn the fighter and may refuse to hear further protests.

Grappling

If fighters enter into a grapple and after 5 seconds no significant progress is being made then the referee will halt the exchange and fighters will be reset.
Throws, arm/leg locks and punches/kicks are all banned for safety reasons.
When grabbing and/or manipulating your opponent’s weapons, care should be given to not twisting your opponent’s wrists/arms. Particularly in the case of shields where the arm can be strapped in, not allowing an easy release.
Scoring actions are made with the weapons wielded and not through other means. Any unsafe behaviour will be penalised by the referee.

Exceptions

Team Events

Team events will run differently. •All team members will fight at the same time. If you are struck in any scoring areas then you are out and must move backwards to your start line, out of the way of any ongoing action. Do not turn and show the back of your head to the action. •Scoring hits are those to the body, arms and legs. Hands (for safety reasons) and illegal targets do not score. •If one member of a team is out and their teammate(s) are outnumbered, the fight continues without break. Being outnumbered is part of the dynamic of team fighting. •Each round continues until one team has no remaining members or the 3minute time limit is reached. Scoring •At the end of a round, points are awarded for the amount of team members left in. •For example, in a 2 v 2, if both parties on team A are hit they score zero points, if the other team has one person left then they score 1 point. •However, if all your team survives bonus points are awarded, so for a 2v2 the maximum 3 points will be awarded if both team members are not hit. •The fight will continue until one team scores 10 points or the 3 mins time cap is reached (which ever happens first). •In pool matches, if everyone dies, and the scores are tied at the end of three minutes, the match will be awarded a draw. For knock out matches there can be no draw and so will continue into sudden death. If this lasts for more than a minute the golden goal rule will apply (in other words, first clean hit wins) Safety •There will be an offside rule applied. This means no member of the team can sweep behind the other team and attack from behind. Should people run around the back to attack they will be issued with a warning, if they do it more than once, they will forfeit the match and/or be disqualified from the event. •In addition, due to this being a mixed weapon contest, gloves or weapons used must provide suitable hand protection against the opponent’s weapons. For example, a fighter using a rapier cannot safely wear thinner rapier gloves if a member of the opposing team is wielding a longsword.

Spear

Weapons •Weapons will be provided for this event, to ensure that everything is kept as equal as possible. •Each weapon will have a safe tip, a butt protector and a ridgeline marked between the two. Scoring •Only thrusts with the tip will count for scoring •At least one hand must be holding the weapon between the ridgeline and the tip of the weapon for the action to count as scoring •Thrusts to the head will score 3 points •Thrusts to the torso will score 3 points •Trusts to the hands are 1 •Thrusts to any other valid scoring location score 2 points (as with other weapons, strikes to the groin and feet are not allowed) Penalties •The butt is protected for safety only. Deliberate strikes with the butt are prohibited. •Deliberate strikes with the tip or contact with the shaft are prohibited •Prohibited actions will accrue warnings the same as other penalties Additional rules •All other rules will be the same as the standard Rebellion rules

Dual Swords

Scoring and After-blows in dual swords Due to the nature of fighting with two swords, both swords can be in motion in tempo at the same time. So it is possible to hit with each both of your weapons within the same tempo. For this reason, if both weapons will land and are in tempo, both will score. For this reason the maximum hits that can be scored in an exchange is 6. Therefore 2 sword matches will be the first to 20 or highest after 3mins. This doesn’t apply in the mixed weapons as it is an unfair advantage, and so only the first blade hit which lands scores.

Dagger

While fighting in the dagger competition, the only actions which are scoring are significant/quality thrusts to the torso or head. Dagger fighting can be hectic and hard to referee. To encourage clean, quality fighting, cuts will not be considered a scoring action. Any attacks (cut or thrust) to the arms or legs will also be non-scoring. Although the hands are not a scoring area, fighters may not grab any part of the dagger blade. Grabbing your opponent’s blade will result in an initial warning and later point penalties. Grabbing your opponent's arm, hand or their dagger guard/pommel is allowed. Given the close-range nature of dagger fighting, grappling with your opponent is expected and allowed. However, fighters need to demonstrate appropriate control and safety. Grappling should be done solely to establish a dominant position and enable a scoring action with the dagger. The 5 second rule applied to grappling in other swords does not apply in dagger. Referees will use discretion to halt the action when they determine that neither fighter is in a position to make a scoring action in a reasonable time frame. Consistent with grappling in other weapons, throws, arm/leg locks and punches/kicks/elbows/knees are all banned for safety reasons. Any unsafe behaviour will be penalised by the referee.

Warnings & Penalties

Penalty System

At Rebellion, any unsafe or unsporting behaviour will be penalised. The first instance of any foul will receive a warning (or yellow card) and any further repeats of the same actions will receive point penalties of -1 (red cards). If the fighter is warned for two different fouls (such as leaving the ring and hitting the floor) then 2 warnings will be received and no point penalties received. A second occurrence of either of these fouls would be a penalty. Repeating the same foul over and over will receive repeated -1 penalties. However, if the referee decides the number of repeats is excessive and the fighter is not making enough effort to avoid fouls then they will refer it to tournament organisers. Warnings/penalties will not be reset or removed between events within rebellion.

Significant Issues

If any event is significantly dangerous then the referee may jump straight to a penalty (this will mainly apply to excessive force or unsporting behaviour). Any negative behaviour that goes above and beyond the penalty system will be referred to the tournament organisers. They have the right to remove a fighter from an event if the fighter is being unsafe.

Safety Fouls

We are enforcing the following safety rules. •No strikes to the back of the head •No strikes to the back •No strikes to the feet •No strikes to the groin Accidental hits to the above will receive a warning, constant failure to abide by these rules will result in either points deduction or withdrawal from the event.

Other Fouls

The following actions will result in warnings, points deduction and/or removal from the competition: •Regularly/intentionally leaving the piste (the first instance will not receive a warning if the referee believes it was done in error) •Hitting the floor (we want to come back to the venue so lets respect the facilities) Racist, sexist, homophobic or other unacceptable behaviour will not be tolerated and you will be banned from all future events. Should a judge feel the force or use of equipment creates a dangerous situation or is used outside of the intention of 'scoring' then they will intervene as necessary to ensure safety. This may include but is not limited to; halting an exchange, banning a particular peice of equipment or giving penalties.