Articles of Combat

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Article I. General Rules and Requirements

(a) Combat within the Arizona Corsairs is a martial art, therefore anyone wishing to participate should be in sound physical condition. Under no circumstance will the Arizona Corsairs or any of its members be responsible for the consequences to any person's health who chooses to participate in the combatant arts. Under no circumstances regardless of her stage of pregnancy, will a pregnant woman be allowed into combat. Under no circumstances will a person under the influence of alcohol be allowed into combat.

(b) All combatants shall acknowledge that there are dangers inherent in combat as practiced in the Arizona Corsairs. Each combatant shall assume unto themselves all risk and liability for injuries sustained by such combat. All combatants must sign a waiver of liability. Minors, your parents or legal guardians must have executed a Parent's Authorization and Consent Form for Arizona Corsair combat related activities.

(c) It is the sole responsibility of the combatant to provide proof of sufficient training with whatever combat style the combatant wishes to engage in. The Master of Arms or their designated deputies (Marshalls) shall then inspect armor to assure the minimum armor standards are met.

(d) The minimum age for training and participation in rapier combat form is 16 years of age.

(e) Rules of Combat

(i) All combatants shall conduct themselves in a safe and courteous manner at all times, by controlling their temper and language at all times Acting in a manner unsafe to themselves or others, loss of temper or use of excessive vulgarity are causes for dismissal from the field.

(ii) Combat shall not take place at an official event without a marshal present. "Warm-up" should take place in a designated roped off area which is either supervised by a marshal or one of the deputies. Those warming up should always be mindful of bystanders.

(iii) A combatant may not enter the lists without: (A) Having proof of a valid waiver. (B) Having proof of qualifications. (C) Meeting the minimum armor requirements. (D) Taking the sword oath.

(iv) Only the combatants and field marshals are allowed on the field during combats.

(v) A command of "HOLD' stops all combat instantly. Not a scoring blow that started before the "HOLD" is considered valid. Combatants or spectators may call "HOLD" for the following reasons only; 1) an unsafe situation pertaining to bystanders or 2) armor or weapons failure. The field marshals may call a "HOLD" for any reason.

(vi) A combatant may not strike an opponent who has fallen prone upon the ground. The combatant has the option of demanding his/her opponent's surrender or allowing his/her opponent to regain his/her knees or feet.

(vii) A combatant may not strike an opponent from behind, except in the course of a continued move.

(viii) A combatant may decline any challenge ot the use of a particular weapon by his/her opponent should the combatant deem the weapon unusually dangerous. If the weapon is approved for use and the combatant is qualified with the weapon the combatant declining the combat forfeits.

(ix) All combatants shall submit to the decisions of the Senior Marshall and may appeal to the Master Of Arms or presiding Captain whose decision is final.

(x) It is conclusively presumed that every combatant is capable of delivering an armor piercing blow, and it is not desirable that the safety of the populace be risked in demonstration of this. A combatant may not deliver a blow of greater force than that necessary to insure that it is felt by his/her opponent. Use of excessive force is cause for dismissal from the field.

(xi) Combatants may only use shields for defensive purposes and not rush, smash, or intentionally strike their opponents with their shields.

(xii) Combatants shall determine victory by acknowledgement of blows augmented by the judgment of the senior marshal. The senior marshal may stop the combat at any time to explain to the combatants what mistakes they are making as pertain to the rules of the list.

(xiii) A combatant has the right to ask the senior marshal for a judgment of a blow. The decision of the senior marshal is final.

(xiv) Any combatant receiving his /her third warning for the violating the rules of the list may be ejected from the event at the discretion of the senior marshal.

(f) Scoring

(i) A scoring blow is any unobstructed blow which lands on a valid target area with the "Killing" surface of the weapon. Scoring blows are considered to be of two types.

1) Lethal - Head, neck or torso from the point of the shoulder inward and above the hip.

2) Disabling - Arms, hips, or legs.

(ii) A combatant is not allowed to:

1) Thrust, except for weapons approved for thrusting by the Master of Arms

2) Strike the hand(s) holding the weapon below the wrist.

3) Strike leg(s) at the knees or below.

(iii) All combatants are on their honor to acknowledge all blows fairly received. The marshals shall not referee except to disallow any blow they observed that is "FLAT" or too "HARD".

(iv) A Marshall may intervene if a combatant does not acknowledge obvious hits being delivered and call a kill or disablement.

(v) There are three types of "KILLS"

1) Lethal blow

2) Disarmament: a combatant with both arms disable is considered killed.

3) Double kill. Both combatants score lethal blows or disarmament simultaneously. This is considered a "KILL" and the bout is over. In case of one combatant being disarmed and the other combatant killed the disarmed combatant is considered the winner.

Article II. Combat Styles

(a) The only style of combat form recognized within the Arizona Corsairs is rapier style fighting.

(i) Single sword. A single sword used with either hand.

(ii) Florentine. Two swords used simultaneously or one sword and parrying dagger, cloak, or gauntlet simultaneously.

(iii) Single sword and shied. A single sword used in conjunction with a shield.

Article III. Armor and Weapons Standards.

(a) Armor: The following are the parameters for the minimum armor requirements for combat with in the Arizona Corsairs.

(i) Men are required to wear a rigid athletic cup worn in an athletic supporter.

(ii) Women are required to wear some form of semi rigid padding and an athletic support bra. A quilted gambeson which completely covers the breasts is recommended.

(iii) Armor or weapons which do not meet the approval of the marshal hall not be allowed on the field. Consult with the Master of Arms or your Captain before constructing or purchasing armor or weapons to use in combat if unsure of their suitability.

(iv) Head: A 3 weapon mask or equivalent shall be used.

(v) Body: A quilted gambeson or heavy leather buff coat is required and kidney protection is recommended.

(vi) Arms and legs: Forearms guards, elbows and knee pads are recommended but not required.

(vii) Hands: Heavy leather gloves or similar.

(viii) Neck : Gorget made of heavy leather and steel.

(ix) Armor as worn ruling. Combat may be conducted with the idea that steel armor will be proof against rapier attack. Any steel armor worn is proof against the blade. This includes breast and back armor, helmets, steel gauntlets, etc.

(b) All weapons must meet with the approval of the Master of Arms. For a list of approved weapons refer to the approved weapons list or consult with the Master of Arms.

Article IV. Approved Weapons and Shields List’

(a) Swords: Light rapier swords, schlager blades 3/4" minimum to 1" maximum width by 30" minimum to 42" maximum length, sword weight 3.5 lbs. Maximum reasonable blade flexibility to allow for safety in thrusting. Sword and quillon points must be padded with rubber tips or equivalent and be covered with red colored tape to allow for easy recognition. May not use epee or foil blades.

(b) Exotic

(i) Thrusting gauche or main gauche.

(ii) Non-thrusting gauche.

(iii) Net.

(iv) Cloak

(v) Gauntlet

(c) Shields Bucklers are the only shields allowed.

Article V. Training

(a) All combatants must be qualified prior to being allowed to enter into combat. Qualification takes place when a marshal deems the combatant in question to know the rules of combat and the combatant has demonstrated their ability to fight safely.

Article VI. Ministry Offices

(a) The Master of Arms is responsible to help insure the safety of those who participate in the combatant arts of The Arizona Corsairs and enforcing compliance with the rules of combat.

Article VII. Sword Oath

(a) Here do I swear by mouth and hand to conduct myself with honor, to acknowledge all blows fairly given and received, to heed the words of the marshal and obey the rules of the lists. So say I (combatant's name).