The goal of the Longsword tournament is to both showcase and help develop skill in utilizing the longsword for the purpose of unarmored combat, as outlined by the KdF tradition. (Of course, all other traditions are invited to play!) This includes the use of the longsword as a sharp sword. Tournament rules and judging standards are meant to advance fundamental skills, such as integrating cutting mechanics into antagonistic sparring. A match is not a simulation of a sword duel.
In the use of a longsword there are times when you would wish to use more or less debilitating striking mechanics, but if you don’t demonstrate high quality strikes when asked to, it shows you are not capable of them. It is the goal of SoCal Swordfight to stress test high quality striking interpretations and push the fighters to achieve these. There are many other existing venues which test a fencer's skill and ability to achieve touches as quickly as possible.
SoCal Swordfight will seed fighters into appropriate tournament tier based on results of past longsword tournaments, with the aim of creating as many meaningful matches as possible. (aka matches where you are close in skill to your opponent.)
All participants for Open Steel Longsword must pass a cutting qualification before being eligible to compete. The qualification is valid for 2 years from the time it is completed. Participants who do not pass the cutting qualification are still eligible for competition in Beginners Longsword.
Individuals who have not pre-qualified based on cutting at previous events must attend the scheduled cutting qualification time slot. For more information on the cutting qualification please refer to the cutting tournament rules. (Entry in the cutting tournament is not required)
| Cut | Thrust | Slice | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Opening | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Torso | 1 | 3 | n/a |
| Arm | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Leg | 1 | 1 | n/a |
Afterblow and Double Hits will be scored in accordance with the General Tournament Rules. (Afterblow is -1 from initial score. Don’t double.)
One-handed strikes are not permitted except when the hand is removed as part of a grappling technique executed against an opponent.
If any valid scoring action is deemed to be a Controlling Action an extra (1) point will be awarded over and above the normal point value awarded. A controlling action is defined as a blow which either seizes control of the opponent’s blade (eg: constrained thrust) or primary weapon arm (eg: grapple or slice) at the moment of impact. No controlling action can be scored in the event of an afterblow.
The amount of time permitted for a wrestling action is a 5-count from the director; beginning when both of the swords are inhibited (discarded, entangled, etc). This count may or may not be verbalized at the director's discretion.
A standing takedown is a wrestling action that deliberately and safely puts the opponent on the ground, while the throwing fighter remains standing. Standing requires one foot remain on the ground, dropping to a single knee is acceptable.
For a takedown to qualify as a Controlling Action, the throwing fighter must retain control of their weapon and demonstrate the ability to deliver a cut or thrust. Note that takedowns are not permitted in Beginners Longsword.
All protective equipment and weapons must be inspected prior to competition. A fighter must show up to gear check wearing their equipment.
All equipment from the General Tournament Standards is required, in addition to the following:
Blackfencer Synthetic Longsword will be provided for the Beginners Longsword Tournament.
All other (steel) longsword tournaments require fighters to provide their own feders. Weapons with smaller tip areas must be covered for safety (blunt, leather, thick tape as necessary). Typically smaller rolled tipped longswords will need to be covered while wider spatulated tipped weapons do not require additional protection. (This is up to the discretion of the director on a case-by-case basis.) The following is an approved equipment list:
| Maker | Models |
|---|---|
| Albion | Meyer |
| Arm & Armor | Fechtbuch Fechterspiel |
| Aureus | All feders |
| Blackfencer | All feders Sparring longsword |
| Castille Armory | Standard feder |
| Comfort Fencing | Dobringer |
| Darksword Armory | Feder |
| Ensifer | All feders |
| Krieger Armory | All feders |
| Mac Arms | All feders |
| Pavel Moc | All feders |
| Regenyei | All feders except Strong |
| SGT Blades | All feders |
| Sigi Forge | All standard and shorter models. |
