RAPIER RULES

---

I.  Conduct in Tourney  

A. Everyone will maintain a level head, calm demeanor, and talk out their issues. 

B. Upon the call of “Hold” all fighting in the vicinity of the call is to cease. Fencers will lower their weapons and step away from each other. 

C. Commands of the judicators in charge of the field are to be followed at all times. 

II. Proper Use of Offensive and Defensive Weapons/Parrying Devices 

Valid strikes are delivered by thrust or draw cut 1. Thrusts must be delivered with positive pressure, meaning a slight bend in the blade 2. Push cuts are considered invalid, as they are deemed unrealistic in a martial context 3. Draw cuts are allowed, provided they are delivered with 6” of draw. a. By themselves, draw cuts are equally unrealistic as a push cut in a atrial context but the draw cut allows the closest simulation of an actual cut delivered with intent by the elbow and wrist without breaking our friends or requiring additional armor. 

1a. Rapid circular motions can still be utilized but the resultant cut must adhere to the 6” of draw rule and not land as a percussive chop. 1b. Parrying devices can be utilized to both move an opposing weapon and also as an  offensive weapons to the opponent. 1c. Devices such as bucklers and batons can be utilized in strikes to the head as blunt strike, touch contacts only. This means no full force contact. A fencer may reach out and if they make a clean, touch contact (no interference from the opponent) to any part of the mask of the opponent the strike shall be deemed as good. 

2. A gloved, open hand may be used as a parrying device. 2a. An open hand may also be used to “parry” against another fencer’s appendage such as the hand or arm, or push an opponent away via the torso, but may not grapple. 2b. An open hand or closed fist may not be used to strike another fencer. 

III. Acknowledging Strikes 

A. The CoS is a positive pressure organization, which means all thrusts must be delivered such that had the weapon been real the tip of the rapier would have penetrated the body 1-3 inches. 

B. All thrusts and cuts are upon the honor of the fencer who received the blow. 1. In the case of dispute, and if both fencers agree, the judicator be asked what they believe transpired. In this case the judgement of the judicator is final. 2. In the case of dispute, and no resolution can be reached by the fencers involved, or if the judicator had insufficient vantage point (didn’t see it) then the fencers will reset and begin again.  

C. A double strike/kill occurs when two fencers deliver a valid blow within one tempo of each other (note this is not the same as simultaneous).  1. Thrusts delivered to the head of the adversary before an attack from that adversary is delivered in return negates the attack of that adversary (i.e. nullifies double kill). a. This rule does not apply to cuts 2. Thrusts delivered to the weapon arm of the adversary before an attack from that adversary is delivered negates the attack of that adversary. a. This rule does not apply to cuts 

D. Any blow received to the head, neck, torso, or upper inner thigh shall be considered debilitating and end the fight. 

E. Valid blows to the arm: 1. Thrust/cuts delivered to the forearm/hand shall render the arm incapable of holding anything in the hand, but the empty hand may still be used to parry. A second blow delivered to the forearm/hand renders the arm incapacitated. 1. Thrust/cuts delivered at or above the elbow shall render the whole of the arm incapacitated (unable to hold an item or be used to defend). 

F. Targetable areas of the arm: 1. Begins at the knuckles across the back of the hand (this excludes the fingers) and continues up to where the shoulder connects to the torso. 2. If the wounded arm is the fencer’s weapon arm they may opt to switch their rapier to the opposite hand and continue the duel. 

G. Valid blows delivered at or above the ankle shall render the whole of the leg incapacitated. Two blows delivered to the foot shall render the whole of the legincapacitated. G1. Targetable areas of the leg begin at the joints across the top of the foot (this excludes the toes) and end where the leg connects to the torso. G2. Once a leg has been wounded the fencer has three options: a. Yield b. Sit down and continue the duel c. Remain standing and post the leg without putting weight upon it d. Point the toes of the wounded leg straight down into the ground and continue to move as best they are able to finish the duel. G3. Note: this means if the footwear was removed from the injured leg you would see the tips of the toes touching earth and nothing else. 

IV. Rapiers and Daggers 

A. Olympic foil/saber/epee weapon blades are not allowed. 

B. The only legal blades are from the list of approved vendors. 

C. Any new vendor (not previously established or known by the C.O.R.) who wishes to be placed on that list must submit a blade of their own make for testing (i.e. destruction) by the board or delegated member. 

D. Blades must be made of steel and capable of 2” flex upon application of moderate pressure from the hand when pressed against a solid object (i.e. hold sword point against a target and demonstrate observable 2” flex in the blade with one hand). 

E. Rapiers must be no longer than 56” from the end of the pommel to the tip of the blade. 1. Rapiers can be wielded one or two-handed. 2. Blade tips must be rounded and capped with a rubber/leather/plastic blunt. 

F. Daggers must be made of steel and capable of 2” flex upon application of moderate pressure from the hand when pressed against a solid object. 1. The only legal blades are from the list of approved vendors. 2. Blade tips must be rounded and capped with a rubber/leather/plastic blunt. 3. Dagger blades must be 20” or less. 

G. Any weapon blade that develops an S-curve must be capable of re-bending by hand (no tools) into proper shape or set aside. 

H. Any weapon blade with nicks, burrs or gouges in the edge must be filed smooth before use on the tournament field. I. Any rapier guard with quillions must be blunt at the tips of the quillions 

V. Bucklers 

A. Bucklers must be made of materials resistant to splintering and cracking and possess no sharpened edges or points. 

B. Metal bucklers must have rolled edges or leather edge covering. 

C. Bucklers must be smaller than 24” in diameter for tournament use. 1. Can be any size for melee. 

VI. Armor Standards 

A. Mandatory items include mask, gorget, and groin protection. 

B. Beyond the minimum requirements, it is the responsibility of the rapier combatants to armor up to the level they are comfortable and see to their protection. 1. Armor worn as protection is not proof against shots; valid blows to armored areas will still be counted as if the body part struck were unarmored. 

C. Masks must fit snugly and not allow the face beyond the tip of the nose to touch the mesh when pressed from the front. 1. Back of the head protection is required for masks. This may be something as simple as a cloth.  2. The front and sides of the mask must be covered in mesh and have no holes large enough to allow a rapier tip to pass through. 

D. Genitalia must be covered by groin protection in the form of a cup, period cod piece or other rigid protection.  

The final say on what protection you wear on your genitalia will be yours!  A simple acknowledgment that you have it will be sufficient.