Tournament Rules

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Mandatory – Minimum Safety Requirements:

• Fencing Mask
• Protective Gloves – Lacrosse Gloves, Hockey Gloves etc.…
• Closed Toe Shoes

Recommended/Encouraged:

• Shoulder Pads
• Chest Protector
• Rib Protector
• Elbow & Knee Pads
• Forearm Guards
• Shin Guards
• Groin Protector
• Gorget – Throat Guard

Judgment Calls

1. Three judges will be appointed to make judgment calls on each match; a head judge, and two line judges. The head judge will be responsible for voicing all judgment calls at the end of each round. However, each of the three judges will vote towards the outcome of a round. The three judges will not be fighting in the tournament.  
2. Matches will begin with the competitors in opposite sides of the arena. To begin a round/match, the head judge will confirm that both the judges and competitors are ready to proceed, and then the head judge will begin the match by saying “FIGHT”. From this point onward, the round/match will be in progress and the competitors will attempt to land a hit on their opponent. Please note that all Competitors will be expected to defend themselves at all times once the head judge says “FIGHT”.  
3. When contact is made to a competitor, the head judge will call “HALT”. Competitors are not to continue fighting after “HALT” has been called. Any violation of this could result in a point for the other competitor and/or disqualification, both at the judge’s discretion. Once “HALT” is called, the fighters will return to their own starting positions and the head judge will say “JUDGES – CALL”. At this time, each of the three judges will simultaneously point to the competitor who they observed got the first strike. The competitor with the majority of the judge’s votes will earn a point for that round. In the event that there is no clear victor for the round or the hits were scored simultaneously, the judges will place their arms in the form of an “X”. If the judges can’t indicate a clear victor for the round, no points will be awarded and the head judge will call for a “RESET”.  

Match Scoring

1. Competitors must obtain ten points before their opponent to win the match.      
2. All hits will only be counted if they are made with the blade of the saber.       
3. NO FIGHTING IS PERMITTED OUTSIDE OF ARENA BOUNDARIES. If a competitor leaves the arena boundaries during combat, the judges will call a “HALT” and “RESET” to the starting positions. Should the same competitor continue to step outside the boundaries, a point may be awarded to their opponent at the judge’s discretion. If a competitor falls out of the arena boundaries, they will not be considered leaving the combat area.    
4. Hilt shots will be counted if struck under the emitter.
5. If a competitor is disarmed of their saber before a hit is landed, their opponent will be awarded one point. If a competitor becomes disarmed, combat must stop IMMEDIATELY. If an unarmed combatant is hit, they may be awarded a point at the judge’s discretion.
6. Both competitors must have their saber lit up during the match. Any hits landed with the sabers off will be considered void and no points will be awarded. If a competitor’s saber turns off during combat, the judges will call “HALT” and “RESET” to the starting positions. If a combatant’s saber is unable to light up and/or maintain being lit up, the judges will call “BREAK” to give the combatant a chance to switch sabers. Should the need to switch weapons occur three times with the same combatant in the same match, or they are unable to find a replacement saber within the time limit given to them by the judges, that combatant may be disqualified at the judge’s discretion.  
7. Only one point can be score in each round.
8. In the event of a simultaneous or undeterminable strike, neither of the competitors will be awarded points for the round.
9. Any competitor who is caught holding the blade of their saber or allowing their saber’s blade to touch their own body during combat will award their opponent one point. Additionally, if a competitor is caught touching their blade more than 2 times during combat, they could be disqualified at the judge’s discretion.

Weapon Restrictions

• Outside blade diameter must be 1 inch.
• Blade length must not exceed 36 inches.
• All blade tips must be rounded; no pointed/bullet styled tips.
• All blades must be made of polycarbonate, no acrylic blades permitted.
• All blades must be safely secured in the hilts before a match. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.
• Hilt length must not exceed 14 inches.
• All sabers that feature Modular Hilt System (MHS) or Adaptive Saber Parts (ASP) compatible accessories must be secured at all times.
• All hilts will only be allowed to have one claw and only if it is part of the main body. Any claws that can be removed must be before the tournament starts.
• No cross-guard sabers.
• No tsubas or sabers with tsubas will be allowed. NO EXCEPTIONS.
• No saber-staffs or dual-bladed sabers.
• No light-whips or other “exotic” style weapons.
• No dual-wielding.

*** All weapons and blades must be presented to the head judge for inspection. This will occur during the check in period. Any weapon or blade deemed unfit for the tournament will not be allowed to be used.

Rules of Combat

• This will be a full contact tournament, meaning that any and all contact made with the saber will be counted. If hits are too light to be detected, they might not be called. On the other hand, combatants demonstrating excessive brutality or a lack of blade control will be warned and possibly disqualified at the judge’s discretion.
• All matches will begin and end with both competitors saluting each other and the judges.
• Any target is considered acceptable unless otherwise stated.
• Any type of attack to the throat or groin will not be permitted and will result in disqualification at the judge’s discretion.
• Running/Sprinting will not be permitted. If a competitor is caught running/sprinting they will receive a verbal warning. Additional violations against this rule will result in disqualification.
• Jumping attacks are permitted.
• Be mindful of your surroundings and compete with situational awareness. If a competitor physically assaults any of the judges or audience members, they will be immediately disqualified.
• Saber throwing will not be permitted. If a competitor throws their saber at their opponent, or throws their saber on the ground, they will immediately be disqualified.
• Disorderly conduct will not be permitted. Disorderly conduct may include, but is not limited to: swearing or yelling at the judges, competitors, and audience members, spitting at anyone, making disrespectful hand gestures, sexually harassing any tournament attendees, squaring off with another attendee with intent to incite and/or engage in a fist fight, etc.
• Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be permitted. Competitors who exhibit “Unsportsmanlike Conduct” will be warned or disqualified at the judge’s discretion. “Unsportsmanlike Conduct” may include, but is not limited to: pushing, throwing punches, throwing saber on the ground, kicks, elbows, head-butts, not respecting opponent or judges, etc.

Respect and General Rules

• All participants and judges are expected to participate safely and in their best frame of mind. Any participants or judges found to be participating under the influence of any substance legal or illegal that impairs their function will be ejected from participating for the remainder of the event. This includes but is not limited to: alcohol, marijuana, drugs, etc.
• All participants must be respectful to each other and to the judges at all times. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.
• All participants must listen to and follow what the judges ask of them at all times. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.
• Spectators are asked to remain respectful to participants and judges at all times.
• In the spirit of sportsmanship and honor, please call your hits.