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:
- Current combat rules.
- Annotated version of the current rules including changes made by the Conferention organisers for Dunghaven, NSW 2013.
- Dunghaven, NSW 2013
- Dunghaven, NSW 2011
- Castle Mountain, NSW 2009
- Dunghaven, NSW 2007
- Unused version of the rules including changes from the State of the Movement meeting at Nagambie/Herns Hill, VIC 2005
- Nagambie/Herns Hill, VIC 2005
- Porepunkah, VIC, 2003
- Unused version of the rules from the State of the Movement meeting Bowraville, NSW 2001
- Bowraville, NSW 2001
- Rowsley, VIC 1999
- Sokil, VIC 1997
- Brisbane, QLD 1995
- Glenfield, NSW 1993
- Cataract, NSW 1991
- Castle Mountain, NSW 1987
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/.
as used at Glenfield 1993
These rules have been superseded by the rules at
http://www.coppergate.com.au/conferention/combat/combat.shtml.
Glenfield used the then current NSW
projectile rules.
Table of Sections
1 Application
(i) Combat will be organised either by the combat sub-committee of the Conference Association 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 marshals.
(ii) These Guidelines shall be applicable to all organised and non-organised combat and all combatant displays, and shall be construed subject to the Constitution and By-Laws.
(iii) In any place where these rules are found to be either insufficient or indistinct, common sense should prevail.
2 Structure
(i) Organised combat shall be divided into two types: those with head blows and those without. An announcement will be made regarding the type of combat by the marshals, immediately prior to each combat.
(ii) Organised combat will occur only in a purposely roped-off area. The "field of combat" is defined as the area within these ropes.
(iii) A general combatants' meeting will be held to explain the combat rules before any combat takes place. A marshal's meeting shall be held with club training sargeants prior to combat to clarify any rules in question.
(iv) A marshal's area will be set aside so that non-organised combat can be reported to and cleared by the marshals. Non-organised combat will occur only with the approval of the marshals.
3 Period
Combat will be divided into four periods. All weapons, armour and costume must fall within the advertised period, and each individual must be representative of an historical archetype, not a mixture of races, periods or cultures. The periods are:
- 200BC to AD400
- AD500 to AD1100
- AD1100 to AD1300
- AD1300 to AD1550
4 Requirements
(i)Only those proficient and safe in a weapon may employ that particular weapon in combat.
(ii) Weapons will be inspected by the sargeants from the respective clubs before combat; all sharp edges, hooks, spikes and rust must be removed.
(iii) No sharp or pointed weapons of any type may be carried on to the field of combat.
(iv) No weapon of any type, such as maces and flails, banned under the Prohibited Weapons Act, 1989 and amendments shall be used in any capacity in any combat under the auspices of the association.
(v) No combatant will be admitted to the field of combat under the influence of alcohol or any other perception changing or performance enhancing drug or medication. Further, no alcohol or above mentioned drugs shall be taken prior to or during combat.
(v) Before taking part in combat, all combatants must have signed an indemnity (or have one signed by their parent or guardian if under 16). Participation in any combat is undertaken at the participant's own risk and indicates full acceptance of these rules.
(vii) All combatants should have current tetanus and hepatitis immunity.
(viii) Any bleeding combatant must leave the field of combat immediately and not return until the wound is covered and the bleeding stopped.
(ix) No person may join a combat once that combat has commenced.
(x) No person is required to give a reason for refusing to fight any other person.
5 Marshalling
(i) Marshals will be chosen from the body of experienced combatants by the combat sub-committee, and will be easily identified by a distinctive tabard and armbands. 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.
(ii) There will be a minimum of three marshals for each organised combat.
(iii) The marshals shall inspect all weapons and costume prior to combat for safety and compliance with the nominated period.
(iv) All combatants will follow the instructions of any marshal. The marshals shall have complete control of all organised combats.
(v) Any member who refuses to obey any marshal with respect with these guidelines in the field of combat (except for situations provided for by 4(x) above), may be banned from the field for a period determined by the said marshal, not exceeding the duration of that day's combat.
(vi) Each marshal shall carry a whistle. All combat will cease immediately the whistle is blown and the combatants shall await further instructions from the marshal.
(vii) 'Hold' may be called by any combatant or marshal on the field. When the word 'hold' is called, all combat shall cease immediately and the call shall be taken up by all combatants.
(viii) All disputes in combat will be resolved by the marshal. Discussion on any decision will be left until after the combat.
(ix) Marshals are non-combatants and will not be touched or struck with any weapon.
6 Protection
(i) Minimum protection of a helmet and gauntlets must be worn during organised combat. Padding is recommended. Protection is left to the participants in display combat.
(ii) Armour will be assumed to protect the wearer from harm exactly as it would in the period in which it was worn.
(iii) Protection for the chest, mouth and groin areas is recommended for all warriors.
7 Blows
(i) No blows are to be aimed at or below the knees, at the groin, head, spine, joints or hands, except where qualified below. No weapon may be used in a thrusting manner at the shaded areas shown in diagram (1) below.
(ii) 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 is permitted only if blows are fully controlled.
(iii) A blow delivered to the crown of the head shall be deemed the only legal head blow. No stab or thrust may be delivered to this area. Spears and other stabbing weapons may not be used in this manner.
(iv) Any combatant 'mortally' struck with a legal blow will immediately fall to the ground and shall not participate in further fighting for the duration of that combat. No 'dead' or 'dying' combatant may be struck with any weapon.
(v) Any legitimate blow to a limb shall be deemed as incapacity or loss of the limb, depending on the type of weapon and type of blow. Combatants may continue to fight, but should avoid using the part that has been struck.
(vi) Loss of helmet due to poor design, breakage or deliberate removal counts as immediate "death".
Prohibited Target Areas
Figure 1
See rule 7(i).
Click on graphic for a larger view.
Prepared by Wayne Robinson,
Gasmules Society (Formerly The Australasian Mediaeval Conference Association
Incorporated)
Last Updated 21 April 2007
Hosted by Coppergate Technology