Training regulations, syllabuses and grading standards

[David]

Rules for one on one sparring at AS&S

AS&S have implemented a new ruleset in terms of etiquette and safety during training and inter-club events.

All one on one sparring is to be presided over by a Marshal.
At least one of the two combatants must be a senior member of the club.
Gloves and fencing masks/full face helmets are to be worn during sparring.
Swords are to be free of rust and burrs prior to sparring, weapons of both combatants will be checked by the Marshal before sparring begins.

The no strike areas of the body are as follows:
No deliberate targeting of the elbows and knees.
No targeting of the spine.
No targeting of the groin.
No deliberate targeting of hands and feet.

These areas are to be avoided during sparring and if accidentally hit will not score a point and in the case of the groin and spine a verbal warning will be issued at the first incident, at the second incident a point will be awarded to the combatant hit, if a third incident will result in the person being asked to sit out the sparring session for the rest of the day.

Head blow is allowed under HEMA rules, and as we practice under those rules, but please be mindful that control still needs to be exercised when targeting the head. Also as there are some clubs that are not practicing head blow combat, be aware that when sparring inter-club that the head blow may not be allowed.

Grappling:
If the two combatants come to grips then the combatants have 5 seconds to reach a decisive outcome in terms of either a well established grip or limb bar on the opponent or manoeuvre one opponent to a position were a throw could be made, but not completed.

During sparring:
Prior to the bout starting the presiding Marshal will explain the rules to both of the combatants as well as any additional rules that may be included for that particular bout.
All sparring sessions start with the combatants saluting each other and the Marshal presiding over the play, the Marshal when then ask the combatants to assume a guard, and will ask both combatants if they are ready, once both combatants give a positive response then the Marshal will call "begin, play or fight" to signal that the combatants could begin.

As there is only one Marshal (generally) presiding over the play, in the interest of fair play combatants are expected to acknowledge any hits that they receive.
If the Marshal, one of the combatants or a spectator calls break then both combatants must stop immediately and await instructions from the Marshal.

Bouts, unless timed or agreed otherwise, will generally go to 3 hits, with the combatant scoring 3 hits being declared the winner. However simultaneous hits (Irish) or hits on any of the no strike areas of the body do not score.

Any decision that a Marshal makes are considered final in terms of scoring, warnings or penalties given during the play (bout).

Although we refer to participants in the bouts as combatants, please remember that your opponents are your fellow club members and friends and that your blows are to be controlled at all times during sparring, both within the club and during inter-club events.

Those are our rules regarding sparring one on one both within the club and at inter-club events, and I have done my best to explain them. If there are any points which need to be clarified, please ask either myself or one of the other seniors and we will do the best to help you.

Again, these rules are constantly re-evaluated.

[David]

Here are a few questions - some may have been already dealt with in other forums and some may be considered rhetorical:

How, do we as trainers, satisfy ourselves (and others) that a member of our Club has reached an acceptable level of maturity, safety and mastery in general and in a specific weapon style or system to be deemed able to participate in the various aspects of our sport?

How, do we as trainers, teach discipline, respect, calibration and control to our members new and old?

What is calibration and control?

What is meant by a fully charged blow?

How, do we as trainers and Club leaders, satisfy ourselves that our training methods and protocols are adequate and correct. Will stand up to peer scrutiny from other Clubs. Are of a suitable quality and rigor to attain the required standard. Who sets that standard and how do we ensure that the standard is equal across the board for all Clubs?

Would the creation of different "Fighting Weights" with the intention of providing a scalable framework to provide participants with different levels of skill, equipment and desire to get hit to compete (play or practice) inter club safely and happily be a workable proposition?

What mechanisms are required to achieve these issues?

Yours Aye
David

[Daniel Duxfield]

I applaud the idea of a grading system that we can all endorse, nationwide.
We spar under similar conditions as you do, David, but as there are only 6 of us in our club at present we are not so stringent with regards to rules. We do have a strong emphasis on safety and enforce that. Though people will learn the hard way sometimes no matter how much you tell them to slow down.

But here is a portion of a reply to the Unified training thread I've posted. So you have an idea where we are at in Dunedin;
At present Jim and I are training our students in the correct and controlled use of mainly (long)swords, while preparing them for tournament fights. Though our students have a long, long way to go before we'd both feel comfortable letting them loose on anyone else, aside from ourselves and each other.

But it has been our experience that common sense has been our guide. We began with drills. guards and strikes. Ensuring correct technique was enforced before we let them spar. But with all weapon training we have to have them spar from the beginning, to a) gain valuable fighting experience against an opponent and b) teach them the value of proper control of their weapon. I'm not the softy, softly type of instructor, but I will train them properly and safely.

We have enforced safety guidelines, such as gloves, helmets (when they can afford them, but our hobby ain't cheap) and mouth guards. As for armour, we haven't worried so much about it as we've focused on the weapon control aspect of the training first. Because if you can't control your weapon, then you shouldn't be fighting. Period!