Smallsword Rules

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

Rules are subject to change up to the commencement of the tournament.

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 lethal nature of the application of smallswords in earnest fencing. This tournament is not intended to simulate the formalities of a historical, ritualized, duel - but to encourage a “hit without being hit” mindset in the stricter confines of modern tournament sport. Large pool sizes will permit competitors many opportunities to score points and give a diverse number of opponents to fight.

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.
Grabbing the opponent’s hilt with intention to twist the hilt and lock the fingers (such that the hand unable to release the sword) is prohibited.

Scoring Actions

Tournament Format

The tournament will be pool based, with the final standings of each stage of eliminations being based on indicator score.
Score = [Points For] / [Number Of Times Hit] (aka Losses + Doubles)

Point Values

A match shall consist of a single exchange and be concluded when one of the following occurs:

A fencer thrusts their opponent to any target area permitted in the General Rules without receiving a strike in return.
A fencer presents a pommel to the mesh of their opponent's mask without receiving a strike in return.
Both fencers hit each other, be it a double or afterblow.
60 seconds of fencing has elapsed, which is considered a double hit.

Quality standards for thrusts include some indication of positive penetration of the weapon. See the general tournament rules for more detail.

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. 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 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.

Ranking & Advancement

Fencers with the highest number of points earned divided by hits received shall advance to elimination pools. Fighters shall be ranked based on the formula:
Score = [Number of Clean Hits Scored] / [Total Number of Times Hit]

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/Superior Fencing), 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.
Hard elbow protection is NOT required. (This is the one tournament that is the exception.)
Hard knee protection is NOT required. (This is the one tournament that is the exception.)

Weapons

All swords will be inspected before use.

Fencers shall bring their own swords. Blades shall be between 30’’ and 35’’ in length. Triangular style and schlaeger style are permitted. Historical grip styles only (pistol grips, and foil style blades are not permitted).

Smallswords 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.

Smallsword 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.