Ordo Cygni The UC Medieval and Renaissance Society

The rules for UCMRS Fighters, including an addendum for Canterbury Faire 2008.

RULES:

Definitions

• "Weaponsmaster" refers to the elected UCMRS Weaponsmaster for that year.
• An "Instructor" is a deputy of the Weaponsmaster in charge of a class covering a particular martial style. They act as a representative of the Weaponsmaster and have the right to deny instruction to anyone they deem unsafe to participate.
• A "Marshal" is a non-combatant who is familiar with these rules, and whose supervision is intended to minimize the risk of harm to fighters or spectators.
• "Looseplay" is a freeform engagement where participants are limited to a certain range of techniques.
• "Freeplay" is any other freeform combative engagement.

Rules

• Common sense must be exercised at all times.
• The Weaponsmaster or their representative(s) has the absolute discretion to prohibit any person from fighting.
• No one shall participate in martial arts activities without having filled out the club's consent form.
• No participant may train, spar, marshal or teach while under the influence of anything which could impair their judgment, including but not limited to:
  • drugs
  • alcohol
  • injury.
• The following minimum* armour is required for looseplay or freeplay (and highly recommended for training in general):
  • Throat protection equivalent to 10mm stiff padding
  • Gloves backed by mail, heavy leather or equivalent
  • Fencing mask or equivalent face protection
  • Box

  *Note that this does not preclude wearing more armour.

• All weapons used will conform to the NAAMA weapons regulations.
• Participants must exercise a level of control over the speed and power of their strikes appropriate to the weapon(s) and armour in use.
• Non-target areas will be decided upon by the participants and marshal, or instructor, prior to fighting.
• This will be dependent on the weapons and armour used, but by default (using minimum armour), no back of head, don't purposefully target kidneys, spine, joints and groin.
• Participants may engage in grappling or unarmed combat by mutual consent.
• Techniques which result in a joint destruction may be started, but under no circumstances completed. Throws may be completed only if both participants are unarmed and trained to fall correctly.
• If you hear the call "stop", "break" or "hold" immediately stop fighting, and wait for the marshal or instructor to call continue.
• Decisions of the Weaponsmaster, instructors and marshals are final.

Addendum for Steel Embassy, CF2008

• A combatant from a club which trains with a different rule set (eg. with different armour requirements or target zones) may engage in their "native style" by arrangement.
• All weapons and minimum armour will be inspected by either the Weaponsmaster or their representative on the first day that person fights.
• All freeplay, looseplay and drills must be marshalled.
• Every person who wishes to fight at the steel embassy must have the Weaponsmaster's approval before fighting for the first time.