Fightcamp Rapier & Smallsword tournament

[Caz]

I just think you are putting constraints in where there don't really need to be any...

just my opinon...

Well... it's a 'rapier tournament' so there are constraints right away - why not allow spears and halberds?

OK.. putting ADDITIONAL constraints..

God I hate internet discussions sometimes....

[Nikos]

Exactly, if you open it up to companion weapons, then people can use Rotellas, Targets, Bucklers, Cloaks, Case of Rapiers, it goes on, and that complicates the entire situation, people can play with those combinations outside of a tournament.

[admin]

Definately grabs are going to be needed, what are peoples thoughts on that?

Same as we do in longsword - just say that grabs are allowed, but if they are fluffed and would have injured the grabber then the judge will award a wound against them.

[admin]

Exactly, if you open it up to companion weapons, then people can use Rotellas, Targets, Bucklers, Cloaks, Case of Rapiers, it goes on, and that complicates the entire situation, people can play with those combinations outside of a tournament.

I agree with Nick in this case - lets keep it really simple this time. Smallswords, rapiers and companion daggers if desired.

[Caz]

Well, if people want to use smallsword and dagger then thats fine, can add that in, the reason for not adding others Caz is simplicity, the more weapon combinations that are allowed the more problems and variables become apparent. Definately grabs are going to be needed, what are peoples thoughts on that?

what do you define as a grab. (as opposed to grapple/throw.?)
would disarms count as points or fight enders???

[Nikos]

A grab would be made on the blade, a disarm I think should count as a point, just as a killing blow would, not a fight ender, although, if we are talking companion weapons, then that may have to work slightly differently

[admin]

what do you define as a grab. (as opposed to grapple/throw.?)
would disarms count as points or fight enders???

I mean weapon grabs - parrying someone's blade and grabbing the blade or their hilt with your left hand.
I don't think grabs or grapples or disarms should count by themselves for points - the point would be for the stabbing of the person you do once you have grabbed, grappled or disarmed them. Like real life.

[Caz]

what do you define as a grab. (as opposed to grapple/throw.?)
would disarms count as points or fight enders???

I mean weapon grabs - parrying someone's blade and grabbing the blade or their hilt with your left hand.
I don't think grabs or grapples or disarms should count by themselves for points - the point would be for the stabbing of the person you do once you have grabbed, grappled or disarmed them. Like real life.

then , by that, a disarm and strike should be a fight ender ... no???

as in real life you wouldn't give it back to give them "another go"..

oh...and what , for the sake of the tournament....is a "rapier" ??? *flame suit on*

[Nikos]

Yeh thats what I just decided too Matt, especially as when daggers are involved a disarm doesn't neccessarily mean success anyway.

As for the tips, yes we may have to consider tipping the rapiers, especially with the variety of protective gear, I don't like tiping, but it may be the easiest solution, so allow nail head tips such as hanwei practicals, or add plastic/rubber tips onto the blunts.

[admin]

then , by that, a disarm and strike should be a fight ender ... no???

Are you trying to cause trouble, missy?
So you believe it should be a 'one strike and you're out' tournament?

[admin]

As for the tips, yes we may have to consider tipping the rapiers, especially with the variety of protective gear, I don't like tiping, but it may be the easiest solution, so allow nail head tips such as hanwei practicals, or add plastic/rubber tips onto the blunts.

I think it might be wise, at least this time. Simply because some people will only have weapons with tips (eg. smallswords) and I would be concerned about inadequate neck and groin protection etc. Maybe you could bring a small selection of archery blunts in case someone is unprepared?

[Nikos]

what do you define as a grab. (as opposed to grapple/throw.?)
would disarms count as points or fight enders???

I mean weapon grabs - parrying someone's blade and grabbing the blade or their hilt with your left hand.
I don't think grabs or grapples or disarms should count by themselves for points - the point would be for the stabbing of the person you do once you have grabbed, grappled or disarmed them. Like real life.

then , by that, a disarm and strike should be a fight ender ... no???

as in real life you wouldn't give it back to give them "another go"..

oh...and what , for the sake of the tournament....is a "rapier" ??? *flame suit on*

Well no a disarm isn't a fight ender, what if the person you have just disarmed decides to stick their dagger in your throat?

As for what is a rapier, that of course is certainly a bit of a can of worms, but I suppose we will have to make some kind of rule for it in this case, probably something about the minimum blade length of 36", which would cut out most heavier bladed weapons.

[admin]

Keep it simple - just say that the judge has to authorise all weapons before being allowed into the tournament. Judge's decision final.

[Caz]

Well no a disarm isn't a fight ender, what if the person you have just disarmed decides to stick their dagger in your throat?

I actually said disarm and strike...

[Nikos]

Well no a disarm isn't a fight ender, what if the person you have just disarmed decides to stick their dagger in your throat?

I actually said disarm and strike...

Okay, but I still don't see it as a fightender, its no more an end than if you had stabbed your opponent in the heart.

I like the judge says rules Matt, that covers a world of evils

[admin]

Absolute dictatorship is always the most efficient form of government.

[Caz]

Keep it simple - just say that the judge has to authorise all weapons before being allowed into the tournament. Judge's decision final.

so where would , for example , a 37 inch bladed sidesword or schiavona sit???

[admin]

so where would , for example , a 37 inch bladed sidesword or schiavona sit???

I would say it's up to the judge to decide if the blade is rapier-ish enough or not. And of course it would have to be flexible enough and tipped.

[TheDude]

Judges decision definitely. With regards to a schiavona, every one is different so the Matt rule would apply (judge decides). As a general rule I think most people will know if their sword is a rapier. When they don't or want to bend the rules, thats where the judge needs to do the 'judging'

[Caz]

Do we need a seperate thread for this...???

Questions:-

Grappling...?
Standing grapples are allowed... to what end..?
are hilt strikes/pommelling allowed...? scored?? if not, then why allow grapples?

cuts to the arm don't count (but an arm "parry" results in a warning)?
what about all the cuts to arms and legs shown in treatises???

also you haven't specified how many warnings can be given and what the result is..