This document provides the rules specific to the rapier tournaments. All rules outlined in the General Tournament Standards also apply to the rapier tournaments, and offer more depth on the criteria for scoring actions.

Tournament Goal

The goal of this rule set is to promote a style of fencing that is skillful, artful and martial, as well as representative of the 17th century rapier treatises that the vast majority of the HEMA community currently studies. We wish to encourage fencing which showcases the techniques described in the treatises for dueling with sharp rapiers, while acknowledging that a tournament match can never be a recreation of an actual duel.

Participants are only able to register for a single rapier tournament, with the Tier-B (Open) tournament being targeted to Beginner/Intermediate skill levels. Fighters shall self-select which tournament they feel is the most appropriate for their skill level. SoCal Swordfight reserves the right to reallocate fighters.

The Tier-B (Open) Rapier Tournament will be a Single Rapier tournament - no dagger.
The Tier - A (Advanced) Rapier Tournament will be a Rapier and Dagger tournament.

Illegal Actions

• All illegal actions from the General Tournament Rules apply to this tournament, including but not limited to: lack of control/excessive force, high amplitude throws, or anything else that has a high chance to hurt somebody. Refer to the General Tournament Rules for more details.
• Exposing the spine or back of the head to the opponent. Note that if your opponent does expose such targets it is still your responsibility to do what you can to arrest the power of your strike.
• All “Body Wrestling” is forbidden. This includes throws and pushing a fighter out of bounds. (It is, of course, still legal to pressure an opponent to back up even if they are at the edge of the ring.)
• Blade grabs of stationary blades are permitted; however the blade must be released after a single action/tempo. Should a fighter continue to hold the blade they will be assessed a non-safety penalty of 1 point.
• Strikes with the pommel or hilt are not permitted.
• Grabbing the opponent’s hilt with intention to twist the hilt is prohibited.

Scoring Actions

Matches will be fought until a fighter reaches a score of 7 points.

Point Values
• Thrust Head or Torso 3 pts
• Thrust all other targets 1 pt
• Cut* ‘Head’, Arm, or Leg 1 pt
*a cut with the dagger is only valid against the head.

Quality standards for cuts in the rapier tournament also includes a drawing/slicing action with follow through. All other standards for cuts/thrust are applicable.
A scoring hit must be delivered to conclude the exchange. A Destreza style ‘conclusion’ will not be awarded points if the attack is not delivered.

Afterblow and Double Hits will be scored in accordance with the General Tournament Rules. (Afterblow is -1 from initial score. Don’t double.)

Hand deflections (parries) are permitted against thrusts in motion if they are performed by pushing the hand or forearm laterally against the opponent’s blade.

Wrestling and Takedowns

All “Body Wrestling” is forbidden. This includes throws and pushing a fighter out of bounds. (It is, of course, still legal to pressure an opponent to back up even if they are at the edge of the ring.)

Blade grabs of stationary blades are permitted; however the blade must be released after a single action/tempo. Should a fighter continue to hold the blade they will be assessed a non-safety penalty of 1 point.

The amount of time permitted for a standing "arm-wrestling" action is a single action/tempo after the grappling has been initiated. (Same as a blade grab). Failure to release the grapple after being unable to score in a single action is not a penalty, as it would be in the case of a blade grab. The director will simply call hold and reset the fighters.

Equipment

All protective equipment and weapons must be inspected prior to competition. A fighter must show up to gear check wearing their equipment.

Protective Equipment

All equipment from the General Tournament Standards is required, in addition to the following:

• Leather fencing gloves or equivalent are required for the hands. Padded gloves are recommended for the off-hand.
• A protective torso garment is required. Examples include HEMA jackets (ie SPES/Lynx), padded gambesons, light fencing jackets, and quality maille. Approval is at the discretion of the director. The garment should be made out of thrust-resistant material.
• Shin protection is not required but recommended.

Weapons

All swords (and daggers) will be inspected before use. Only rapier blades may be used. Epee, foil, and other blades meant for classical or Olympic fencing are prohibited. Rapiers and daggers must have tips with a bright contrasting tip color (such as black tip with gold tape or vice versa). This is to enhance the ability of judges to see thrusted blows. Rapier blades from the following makers will be allowed, other blades will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and approved by the tournament director. This list may be updated as time goes on.

Deltin

Hanwei

Angus Trim

Castille Armory

Darkwood Armory

Danelli

Kvetun Armory

Blackfencer