Tournament Rules

The guidelines for tournament rules are as follows. It is not required to run every event in the same tournament. The tournament coordinator can modification these rules for their specific tournament. Modifications should be done in writing and produced when the tournament is announced so that people can prepare. Add any changes to the Tournament Modifications section so the differences in rules are clear. A hard copy of the rules should be available the day of the event for anyone to read.

Fighting Rules

Normal fighting rules apply. Judges will watch the fights and make calls as needed, however you still need to take shots how you normally would. If a judge misses a call you should still take your shots.

Combatants fight with the given weapon set for each event. A single fight determines the results of a round except the final tournament champion match, which is decided best two out of three.

As per the normal fighting rules, losing two limbs is not a death. Losing both arms at the same time as killing someone results in the armless person advancing.

Note: There is no difference between a three-limb kill and a body shot kill. If both happen in a mutual, it is just like any other mutual.

Tournament Modifications

List any special rules for this event in this section.

Helmets

If helmets are available and both combatants agree, helmets may be used making the head and neck a valid target.

Judging

Before the tournament starts, judges will be assigned. A judge’s ruling is final. Everyone misses calls and makes mistakes.

In the event that a judge does not clearly see who died first, judges may call a redo.

In the event of a mutual, combatants are set whole and the fight is started over.

In the event of a freeze due to fault, wounds remain.

If fighting is stopped for any reason combatants are to be reset to far corners where the fight started. Any dropped equipment may be picked up, and unused equipment should be removed.

Faults

During the course of a single fight, a combatant can accumulate two faults. Once a third fault is issued, the combatant is disqualified. It is not up to the other combatant if they want to win by disqualification, only the judges.

Faults are earned by stepping out of bounds or wild swings to illegal hit locations. Stepping on the boundary rope is considered stepping out of bounds. Combatants who step out of bounds are given one warning. Each time they step out of bounds after the warning, it will be considered a fault. In the event that an illegal shot is caused by the one receiving the blow, a judge is not required to issue a fault. Only judges may issue faults, so if a fault is not issued and the judge says you blocked the blow into your head, the judge’s ruling is final. With any fault, fighters should be reset to the corners and fighting resumes, keeping all wounds.

Example: If Nate and Peter are fighting and Nate steps out of bounds Nate would be given a warning. In the same fight if Nate hits Peter in the head, neck, or groin, Nate would be issued a fault. If Nate steps out of bounds or hits Peter in the head it would count as Nate’s second fault. Once a third fault is reached the fighter is disqualified from that event.

Events Rules

All swords must be 50” or less.

Single Sword: Individuals fight with a single sword.

Double Swords: Individuals fight with two swords.

Sword and Shield: Individuals fight with a single sword and shield. Shield may be any of the variety available, but may not have a striking surface.

Long Weapons: Individuals fight with a single long weapon. Long weapons must be over 6’ long.

Free Style: Individuals fight with any non projectile weapons of their choice.

Short Weapons: Individuals fight with single short sword. Short swords must be 30” or less.

Teams of Two: Pairs are formed during sign ups. Weapon set may be single sword or swords and shield.

Tournament Finals

First and second place of each event fight with the same rules as per single sword. If an individual wins multiple events in a tournament, they receive no bonus in the finals. If there are not enough people in the finals to fall into brackets of eight or four, use the following format for determining the overall tournament winner:

In the event that there are seven finalists, the person to win the most events gets the bye. In the event that that is a tie, rock-paper-scissors will determine who gets the first round bye.

In the event of six finalists, each is paired until three remain. Once reduced to three, use the guidelines below for if there are only three finalists.

In the event that there are five finalists, the two man team must fight each other reducing the number to four. If there was no two man team event, use evens or odds to determine which two will fight first.

In the event that there are only three finalists, evens or odds will decide which two fight first. The two who throw the same number fight and the winner must then defeat the other. In this case matches are single rounds and not two out of three. Should the third individual win, they must beat the first defeated person. The cycle continues until one of the fighters beats both consecutively. After the winner is determined, the other two should fight to determine who finishes in second place.