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.
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.
The tournament will be pool based, with the final standings of each stage of eliminations being based on indicator score.
A match shall consist of a single exchange and be concluded when one of the following occurs:
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.
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]
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.
All equipment from the General Tournament Standards is required, in addition to the following:
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.
