SwordStrong KC 2025

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Rules

1. A bout consists of five rounds in the both the pools and the finals

2. Rounds do not have a time or point limit

Exception, in the Elimination rounds only, a fight ends when there are no longer enough exchanges left to change the win outcome.  I.E. score of 3 - 0 with only 2 exchanges remaining.

3. All valid target locations are worth 1 point

a. Valid targets include everywhere except the back of the head and neck

b. Striking the back of the head and neck will result in a penalty

c. Purposefully exposing the back of the head and neck will also result in a penalty

4. Points may be scored with a Cut, Thrust, Draw Cut, Pommel Strike or Shield Bash

a. Cuts must be made with the edge and with sufficient rotation (>45 degrees)

b. Thrusts must be deep enough to move the gambeson

c. Draw cuts must be over half of the blade, (made with both hands for two-handed weapons), and have significant pressure against the opponent

d. Pommel strikes and shield bashes must be made with control, and only to the mesh of the mask

i. This can be either gently touching the mask or presenting that you “could have” bashed

ii. Glancing, incidental, and blocked blows are not counted as valid

iii. Shield bashes can only be made with the boss of the shield. Intentional edge of shield strikes anywhere will incur a penalty

e. Stepping both feet out of the ring scores no points, but does stop the action and cause a reset in the center, a fighter that Intentionally leaves the ring will result in penalties being awarded

5. Grappling with the hand is only allowed against the hand, arm, handle, or guard of the weapon.

a. Throwing, hitting, kicking or head butting will be penalized

b. Grabbing a blade is allowed in Longsword, Messer, and Mixed Steel only.

i. Blade must be stationary and the grab must be on the strong third of the blade.

ii. With other weapons, or if the blade is moving or you grab the weak, grabbing will count as a hit against you.

c. You can wrap an arm around any weapon. Pulling the blade out, though, could constitute a draw cut.

6. Fighters can “self-call” a hit against themselves during the round, The Director can overrule them if they feel it wasn't a valid hit.

Bouts

1. A round/exchange is completed when a scoring action has occurred

a. If a point is called and it was determined there was no scoring action, or if a fighter leaves the ring, no points will be scored and the round will continue with fighters in the “Danger Zone” (close enough to cross swords and strike hands in the center of the ring) and that exchange will continue

2. Fighters will indicate with their swords that they either landed a hit (pointing up) or that they were hit by their opponent (pointing at the opponent)

a. If fighter was both hit and scored a hit, then point both up and at the opponent

3. After each round, the Director will

a. Note the fighter’s opinions

b. Look for the Line Judge’s hand signs

c. Award a point to a fighter that landed a clean strike, or declare a double

At the end of the bout, points will be awarded to each fighter. If a tie occurs in the elimination rounds, sudden death begins and the first clean hit wins the bout.

Team Tournament Specific Rules

1. Setting up the teams

a. Before the start of the tournament, fighters attending will form into teams of three, preferably from the same school with varying amounts of experience/skill levels.

b. The purpose of this tournament is to give fencers of lower levels a time to shine. Advanced students often get the glory of receiving medals, accolades, etc. We want this to be an opportunity for newer fighters to contribute to the overall outcome of the match.

c. Please be honorable in your selections and select a Beginner level fighter, middle-level fighter, and Advanced fighter where available.

d. Teams should create a name to represent them, School/Club name can be used as a team name, but if a club has more than one team, please choose some variation.

e. Fighters that do not have a team will see the tournament director to join the “Free Agents” who will be grouped into teams.

f. Teams will announce who their 1st, 2nd, and 3rd fighters will be before the pools are set.

i. Teams of two will vary slightly, the 1st fighter will also be 3rd

g. Once teams are set, the order can only be changed after pools finish and before eliminations begin.

2. Team Matches (both pools and eliminations)

a. At the start of a match, each team has 9 points, 3 for each fighter.

b. When a fighter has received 3 touches, they are eliminated. The next fighter on the team then steps in to continue the fight.

c. When a team eliminates all of the opposing team’s fighters, they win!

d. Fighters may only eliminate two other fighters in any given match. If they eliminate two fighters, they retire from the match and the next fighter steps in to continue the fight.

i. Exception: If a team is down to its last member, that member is not required to retire from the match no matter how many opponents they face.

ii. Exception: If a team only has 2 members, the first fighter must retire after besting two opponents, but may come out of retirement if the other member of the team is forced to swap out or retire.

Equipment

1. Protective gear and clothing:

a. Mandatory items:

i. A padded or Hema level jacket

ii. Fencing Mask with back of head cover

iii. Gorget or some form of trachea protection

iv. Rigid or padded gloves for both hands (even in one handed tournaments)

v. Elbow and knee pads

vi. Shin guards

vii. Athletic cup (for men)

viii. No exposed skin allowed

b. Highly Recommended but not mandatory items:

i. Additional padding for thighs and torso

ii. Forearm protection

iii. Rigid Chest Protection

2. Weapons:

a. All weapons must be checked and approved. If any weapon does not pass the check, we will work to provide a safe alternative if you do not have one available.

b. All Blades

i. Blades must be able to bend easily during a thrust

1. Blades with too stiff a bend will not be allowed

ii. All major swordsmith brands are acceptable

iii. If you have a custom-made blade, it must be tested and approved by the tournament officials prior to competing with it

iv. All blade length and width requirements have a small amount of wiggle room that will be at the inspector's discretion.

v. In no case will sharp edges anywhere on the weapon be allowed

c. Long Sword or Feder:

i. Blade length must not exceed 40 inches from the cross-guard

d. Rapier

i. Blade length must not exceed 43 inches from the cross-guard

1. Not measured from the ricasso or bell

ii. Min of 1/2” width on the widest non-schilt part of blade

e. Saber

i. Blade length must not exceed 36 inches from the cross-guard

ii. Min of 5/8” width on the widest non-schilt part of blade

iii. Finger guard of some sort or rigid finger protection must be present

f. Mixed Steel:

i. Blade length must not exceed 36 inches from the guard

ii. Handle length must not exceed 12 inches, including pommel

iii. Min of 5/8” width on the widest non-schilt part of blade

iv. Offhand dagger must not exceed 19 inches and must have very good flex

v. Offhand buckler must not exceed 12 inches in diameter

g. All weapons must reasonably be able to be classified as fitting in that category.

h. We have a good number of loaner weapons if needed.

i. Tournament Staff reserves the right to reject any gear or weapons they deem unsafe.

Penalties

1. The purpose of this system is to keep fighters from repeatedly putting themselves or others in potentially dangerous situations.

2. These can include hitting non-target spots, exposing non-target spots, purposely hitting too hard, delaying the fight, etc.

3. There is no all-encompassing list of penalties. Generally, be kind and respectful, and don’t put yourself or other fighters in danger.

4. For minor infractions, two verbal warnings will be given to the fighter and they will be recorded in Scorecard. The third time a fighter commits the same infraction will result in the fighter’s opponent being awarded a point. If the fighter does the same infraction a fourth time he or she will lose the bout they are in and the opponent will receive all the remaining possible points. If a fifth infraction for the same rule happens, the fighter will be asked to leave the tournament.

a. This list is subject to change based on the severity of the infraction. If the judges feel that a severe infraction has occurred, immediate severe action can and will be taken.

5. This system extends throughout the tournament, not just a single bout

a. For example; a fighter might be warned three times about excessive force, in three different bouts. On that third warning the fighter he or she is facing will get an extra point.

6. Being warned for different offenses does not compound on one another.

a. For example, a fighter might be warned about exposing the back of their head, and for excessive force. These are different warnings and do not count as two warnings for either.

7. Again, these penalties are not in place to try to be overly strict or authoritarian but to keep everyone safe, happy, and healthy.

Final thoughts

We’ve put a lot of sweat and consideration into this ruleset and we think it’ll make a fun, fair tournament. We do reserve the right to tweak it as needed, though. Do not hesitate to ask any questions you may have and we hope to see you there!