I. Equipment of the Tournament Participants

V. 3.4

The Regulations of the Tournaments of

Guild of Duel Fencing

 

Main rules

 

The regulations of the tournament are written by the organizers and are presented no later than one week before the start.

 

The competition falls into the category of high trauma risk, therefore:

- Participants are advised to have medical insurance;

- Participants who haven’t yet reached full age, are allowed into the competition only in the presence of an accompanying adult;

- Participants must accept and obey the regulations;

- Participants bear personal responsibility for their health;

- Participants that possess health problems that may influence their actions during the tournament are obliged to inform the organizers (and medical personnel) on this matter;

- A participant won’t be allowed into competition if his protection equipment doesn’t meet the organizers’ requirements. In case participants plan to share equipment, they must inform the referees before the Tournament begins in order to minimize any unplanned delays;

- A participant won’t be allowed into competition if he is being under alcohol, drug or any other intoxication. If such a fact occurs during the competition itself, the participant will be disqualified.

 

The organizers are not responsible for the safety of the participants’ belongings.

 

Fencing technique

 

The duels are fought using thrusting and slashing techniques.

A “touche” must be readable, so that the referees can clearly see it.

A readable and effective cutting hit may be counted as “touche” on a referee’s decision.

Hits with the blade bent against the guard will not be counted as “touche” (the only exception being a thrusting hit, when the blade is bent after the target is struck).

Any strike must be made with the edge of the blade, flatwise hits won’t be counted as “touche”.

All the body is considered a Hit Area with these only exceptions: the groin, the nape and the hand holding the main weapon. Thrusting and slashing hits (further in the text – “touche”) into these body parts are PROHIBITED.

A hit is considered “passé” (non-readable, weak, non-resulting hit), if:

- it’s a flatwise hit;

- a slashing hit’s swing distance is less than 30 cm;

- the blade is just pushed towards the opponent’s body after a missed thrust;

- the blade does not bend during a thrust (the final decision in such cases is left to the referee);

- the blade barely touched the Hit Area (the final decision in such cases is left to the referee).

 

In case when a duelist covers any part of the body with a free hand and receives a hit into that arm, the referees will count it as a “touche” into the covered body part if the strike is strong enough and readable. In any other case it will be counted as a “touche” into the covering hand.

A duelist that stopped a hit with a block from his main or secondary weapon has the right to use his hand to move the opponent’s blade away. Such a move won’t be considered a “touche”, unless the opponent makes a clear cutting hit on the hand, or the duelist himself “cuts” his hand on the opponent’s blade.

Weapons

 

All the duels are fought with steel weapons.

All the duelists’ equipment is checked for safety regulations complains prior to the duels.

In case a duelist’s equipment has not passed the check, he is forbidden from using it.

Worn-out weapons may not be accepted by the referees.

In case a duelist’s weapon goes out of working condition during the Tournament, the owner must resolve the issue as soon as possible without waiting for a request from the referees.

Duelists can share weapons, but no extra time is given for the exchange process.

The duel doesn’t stop if a duelist loses his secondary weapon. The duelist can try to pick it up during the duel or safely do so after a “touche” (at the end of the “round”).

The secondary weapon can only be used for defensive moves and any attacks and hits (buckler hits, main gauche thrusts or cuts, gauntlet hits) with it are prohibited.

While utilizing main or secondary weapons given by organizers or other duelists, the duelist must be ready to compensate at least half of its (or the broken part’s) cost in case it breaks. The compensation is discussed for every individual case.

The organizers will only provide secondary weapons. As for the main weapons, it can be provided on a basis of personal agreement. It’s preferred to have your own equipment.

 

Tournament rules

I. Equipment of the Tournament Participants