GUIDELINES FOR INTERCLUB COMBAT

*as agreed by the meeting of combatants at the Sixth Australasian Mediaeval Conference at Cataract, NSW 1991, with amendments from Glenfield, NSW 1993, Brisbane, Queensland 1995, Geelong, Victoria 1997, Bacchus Marsh, Victoria 1999, Macksville, NSW 2001, Porepunkah, Victoria 2003, Nagambie, Victoria 2005, Dunghaven, NSW 2007, Castle Mountain NSW 2009, Dunghaven NSW 2011 and Dunghaven NSW 2013 for use at the biennial conference and other interclub events at the discretion of the host body. They evolved from the discussions started at the Macquarie Conference in 1983.

Other versions of the rules are in the order of last use:

An alternate set of rules is used by the New Varangian Guard Incorporated at their events. The NVG combat rules can be found on http://www.nvg.org.au/.

Note that this is an archive site and is not intended to be linked to by people holding events. Take your own copy, update Schedule 1 and host it your own site.

Table of Sections

Figure 1 - Prohibited Targets

Schedule 1 - List of Restricting Legislation by State

Melee Weapons Annexure

Addendum A - Guidelines for Projectile Weapons

1 Application

1.1 Combat will be organised either by the Event Organisers or as displays by individual clubs. The former is referred to as "organised combat" and the latter as "display combat" for the purposes of these rules. "Non-organised combat" (impromptu combat organised by individuals or clubs) may also occur and is bound by the same rules as organised combat unless otherwise agreed by the Event Organisers.

1.2 These Guidelines shall be applicable to all organised and non-organised combat and all combatant displays, unless otherwise agreed by the Event Organisers.

1.3 In any place where these rules are found to be either insufficient or indistinct, common sense should prevail.

2 Structure

2.1 Organised combat will occur only in defined areas. Each of these areas will be defined as a "field of combat".

2.2 A combatants meeting shall be held with club training personnel prior to combat to clarify any rules in question. The combatant representing each group will then be responsible for answering the questions put forward by the group.

2.3 A "Combat Reporting Area" area will be set aside so that non-organised combat can be reported to and cleared by the Event Organisers. Non-organised combat will occur only with the approval of the Event Organisers.

3 Requirements

3.1 Only those safe in a weapon may employ that particular weapon in combat.

3.2 Weapons will be inspected by combatants from the respective clubs and/or by the Event Organisers before combat commences; all sharp edges, hooks, spikes and rust must be removed.

3.3 No sharp or pointed weapons are permitted on the field of combat.

3.4 No weapon of any type, such as maces and flails, banned under state legislation shown in Schedule 1, may be used in any capacity in any combat unless a valid permit has been obtained and presented to the the Event Organisers for inspection.

3.5 No combatant will be admitted to the field of combat under the influence of alcohol and/or any other perception changing and/or performance enhancing drug or medication. Further, no alcohol or aforementioned drugs shall be taken prior to or during combat.

3.6 All combatants should have current tetanus and hepatitis immunity.

3.7 Any bleeding combatant must leave the field of combat immediately and not return until the wound is covered and the bleeding stopped.

3.8 No person may join a combat once that combat has commenced unless otherwise agreed by the Event Organisers.

3.9 No person is required to give a reason for refusing to fight any other person. Combatants refusing to fight others have the right to leave the field of combat immediately without being interfered with and without interfering with the combat of any other combatant around them.

3.10 At any point during combat, any combatant may call:

"HOLD".

All combat will cease immediately and the combatants shall await instructions from the Event Organisers.

4 Head Combatants

4.1 Head combatants will be nominated by each individual club from their most experienced members. Their power will be:

to start and finish the combat;
to stop the combat for reasons of safety, or to intervene to stop dangerous action taking place;
to calm combatants or to request that they modify their behaviour;
to require that dangerous combatants or equipment be removed from the field.

4.2 There will be a minimum of one head combatant from each individual club for each organised combat.

4.3 All combatants will follow the instructions of the head combatant of their individual club. The head combatants shall have complete control of their individual club members during all organised combats.

4.4 Head combatants will follow the instructions of the event organisers. The event organisers shall have complete control of all head combatants during all organised combats.

5 Disputes in Combat

5.1 All disputes in combat will be resolved by the combatants involved in the dispute after combat has concluded. Discussion on any decision will be left until after the combat.

5.2 If any of the individual combatants involved in the dispute are unable to resolve the dispute between themselves, then any of the combatants involved only may refer the dispute to the head combatants of their individual clubs only. All such disputes referred to head combatants will be resolved by the head combatants of the individual club only. The head combatants referred to resolve the dispute will jointly agree whether to attempt to resolve the dispute immediately or whether to defer the dispute resolution to a later time.

5.3 If any individual combatant involved in the dispute is not satisfied that the dispute has been resolved fairly and satisfactorily by the head combatants of their individual clubs they may refer the dispute to the Event Organisers. All disputes referred to the Event Organisers will be attended and explained by the individuals combatants involved, the head combatants of their respective clubs and the Event Organisers only unless otherwise agreed by the Event Organisers. The decisions made by the Event Organisers will be final.

5.4 No combat shall be delayed or interfered with by any dispute between combatants. If any dispute arises, those combatants and head combatants involved must make sure that the dispute and its subsequent resolution does not in any way interfere in the combat of other combatants not involved in the dispute.

6 Protection

6.1 Minimum protection of a helmet and gauntlets must be worn during organised combat.

6.2 Padding and additional protection above the minimum standard described in 6.1 (such as guards for the forearm, lower leg, elbow, knee, mouth, breast and groin) is recommended for all combatants. Non-period protection such as plastic-capped knee guards should be concealed beneath period clothing.

6.3 Strong footwear/boots that provide toe protection and ankle support are recommended. Any non-period laces, straps, elastic or labels should be concealed so that the footwear looks as authentic as is reasonably possible.

6.4 Protection is left to the participants in display combat.

6.5 For all periods of combat, armour will be assumed to protect the wearer from harm exactly as it would in the period in which it was worn unless otherwise agreed by the Event Organisers.

7 Blows

7.1 No blows are to be aimed at or below the knees, at the groin, spine, joints or hands, except where qualified below. No weapon may be used in a thrusting manner to the shaded areas shown in Figure 1.

7.2 All blows connecting with opponent must be fully under control and slowed in such a way that upon striking your opponent you will not injure them. Grappling, punching and kicking is permitted only if blows are fully controlled and will not injure the victim.

7.3 A blow delivered to the crown of the head shall be deemed the only legal head blow.

8 Killing and Dying

8.1 Any combatant that receives a "killing" blow shall immediately fall to the ground and shall not participate in further fighting for the duration of that combat.

8.2 The only exception to 8.1 is during "Resurrection" combat during which a "killed" combatant may leave the field fully armed and armoured, report to a "Ressurection Point" and then rejoin the combat in their own time.

8.3 Combat will be declared "Ressurection" or not prior to the commencement of that combat by the head combatants participating or the Event Organisers.

8.4 No "dead" or "dying" combatant may be struck with any weapon.

8.5 Any legitimate blow to a limb shall be deemed as a kill, incapacity or loss of the limb, or "no harm done" at the discression of the combatant delivering the blow. If a limb is declared incapacitated or lost the victim combatant may continue to fight, but should avoid using the part that has been struck.

9 Prohibited Target Areas

Figure 1
Click on graphic to embiggen.

10 Melee Weapons Annexure

10.1 The maximum length for a spear used combat will be 3.5 metres unless otherwise agreed by the Event Organisers.

10.2 All weapons with metal edges shall meet the following requirements:

metal edges shall be rounded to a minimum diameter of 1.5mm;
metal points shall be rounded to a minimum of 20mm diameter (same size as a 5 cent piece)

Schedule 1

I've removed the schedule of governing acts because I don't have the time or inclination to stay across all developments in legislation in all states all the time. Your state's justice department should be able to help with guidance about the application of various weapon control legislation. Professional legal advice should be sought in specific cases.

The Australiasian Medieval Conferention Archive

GUIDELINES FOR INTERCLUB COMBAT

Table of Sections