Longpoint 2016 Rapier Tournament Rules
The rules for this tournament are based upon an overview of the attacks prescribed in several different Rapier texts spanning close to fifty years. Some of these texts include Ein new Kůnstliches Fechtbuch im Rappier (Michael Hundt), Lo Schermo, overo Scienza d’Arme (Salvator Fabris), and Kurze jedoch deutliche Beschreibung handelnd vom Fechten auf den Stoss und Hieb (Johann Georg Pascha).
A quick summary of this overview is as follows: ● There is a predominance of the thrust to the cut for offensive actions. With the torso and head are the main target for these attacks. ● The head is the overwhelming option for the cut. It is uncommon for a cut to be used against the body. Cuts are not as prioritized as thrusts though. ● The thrust is used nearly equally over the various texts for attacks to the torso and the head. ● The extremities are more often attacked with a cut, however these targets are not used to the same extent as the torso and the head.
This tournament shall be a Rapier and Dagger competition. Due to the nature of two weapons at play there shall be no control points awarded. This is because control of both weapons is extremely difficult for a fencer to successfully perform, and for the judges to easily see. Rather than add a layer of complication we have decided to streamline these rules for the sake of simplicity on both sides of the ring.
These rules view the tournament bout as a demonstration of skill rather than a simulation of a serious encounter.
Weapons used: ● Rapier and Dagger
Valid Techniques: ● Cuts: The blade must travel approximately 45 degrees or more and strike the target with obvious intent. The blow must hit with the weak of the weapon. Light snips that travel little distance, lazy blows, and strikes with the strong or flat will not score Quality points. ● Thrust: Any touch with the point with forward motion of the blade (motion towards the opponent with the point) that obviously makes contact. There should be some flex in the blade for the thrust to be considered valid. ● Slice/Press: Drawing cuts may only be scored to the head. They must be clearly demonstrated, drawing or pushing at least half the length of the blade. ● With the dagger ○ Thrusts to all valid targets only.
Scoring: ● Contact: called but no score. Contact is called only for intentful actions. Accidental contact does not stop the action, unless the opponent walks into the point. ● Quality: To earn this point, the blow must have been delivered with sufficient authority, force, stability, balance, and poise. This does not mean that the blow needs to be “hard”. To earn this point the fighter must be in full control of his/her movement—balanced or grounded, not stumbling, falling, or wildly lunging. This criterion also is worth one (1) point. 1 ● Target (thrusts to the body and head only): 2 ● Control: Not used. ● For example: ○ Thrust to the leg scores 1 point if quality. ○ Cut to the body scores 1 point if quality. ○ Thrust to the body scores 3 points ( 1 point quality and 2 points for target).
Double Hits and Failure to Withdraw: ● A Bad or Failed Withdrawal (Abzug) is when a fighter lands a successful hit as given above, but fails to defend himself afterward; in a sense, it is the opposite of Control. Once a hit is scored, the Director will allow a brief moment to elapse before the bout is stopped (roughly the time required to execute a single step), during which time the other fighter can attempt a “revenge strike”. ● Any fighter who Fails to Withdraw safely following a valid strike on Target can only receive one (1) point for Quality (see above). Any potential points for Contact and Target will be negated ● Points gained from a Failed Withdrawal that raise the lead of any fighter above 9 points will not end the match. ● A match will only be stopped (through points) after a Clean Hit. ● Double hits will not score. If you have 3 double hits in a pool bout then your opponent and you both lose the bout. However, if you have 3 or more double hits in an elimination bout, in your next bout your opponent starts with 2 points.
Disarms: ● These can only score if the action is done within one tempo after the disarm. ● A disarm alone will not gain a point. ● Disarms include ○ accidental dropping of the weapon ○ beats upon the opponent's weapon ○ actions of your rapier or dagger that cause the disarm
Forbidden techniques and targets: ● There shall be no grappling or infighting. If both fencers arrive at infighting measure without scoring a touch, a halt will be called and the fencers will reset. ● Back of the head. ● Any action that causes your opponent's rapier to bend excessively, i.e. taking a thrust and running up the blade to get an afterblow. Thereby causing the blade to flex past 90 degrees.
Running of bout: ● Each bout will consist of a 1.5 minute rounds. ● Each round will last until one fencer reaches a total of 9 points. ● If the time runs out before a fencer reaches 9 points, the fencer with the highest score wins. ● If either fencer steps outside the boundaries of the fencing area, a halt will be called and the fencers will reset.
Rapier Weapon Requirements: ● Rapiers blades shall be between 35 and 45 inches in length from the crossbar to the tip. ● Dagger blades shall be no longer than 18” in length. ● Only rapier and dagger blades intended for fencing will be allowed: ○ Del Tin ○ Darkwood ○ Alchem ○ Hanwei ○ Castile Armoury ○ Danelli Armoury ○ Arms and Armor Practice rapier
Others may be accepted, contact the tournament organizers for more details. ● Flexi daggers are not allowed. These are small square shape bladed daggers previously used in SCA practice. ● Rapiers and Daggers must be covered with plastic blunts, held in place with tape of contrasting color.
Fencing safety requirements: ● Mask: 3weapon mask in good condition with no discernible rusting, breaches of the mesh, tongue, or bib. The mask must completely cover the participant's ears and be neither too large nor small to snugly fit the competitor. 1600N is recommended. Other headgear (i.e. custom made helmets) will be allowed pending inspection for similar criteria as above. ● Neck Protection: Some form of rigid neck protection or gorget that covers the larynx must be worn. ● Torso: A standard fencing jacket, or other jacket designed specifically for HEMA. ● Back of the head protection: Commercially manufactured back of the head protection is preferred, other methods will be accepted on a casebycase basis. ● Gloves: Fencers must wear gloves which protect the hand, fingers, and the portion of the wrist nearest the hand. Unpadded gloves are not sufficient. Examples of acceptable gloves include: PBT Light Rapier Glove, SPES Light Rapier Glove, Padded leather glove, etc ● Groin/Breast Protection: Use of rigid groin protection (cup/box) is mandatory for males. Females are recommended to wear rigid breast protection. Pelvic protectors are recommended for female participants. Rigid chest protection is recommended for all participants. ● Footwear: Fencers must wear some kind of enclosed toe footwear. Historical reproduction footwear is acceptable. ● Elbow/Knee Protection: Use of elbow and knee protection is mandatory. The protection must completely cover the knee and elbow.