Conventions of combat

For more information on this topic, refer to page 6 of the Marshal's Handbook

SCA combat follows a number of conventions which must be adhered to at all times for safety and legal reasons, such as armour and weapons standards. For these reasons, all combatants shall undergo inspection before going onto the field by the marshal, although each individual accepts full responsibility for his/her equipment. All fighters must adhere to these rules or face their authorisation card being pulled.

Conventions of combat include behaviour on the field:

• There shall be no striking with excessive force. This is considered to be an unchivalrous act.
• All fighters must obey the marshal's commands, or be removed from the field and subject to disciplinary action.
• Any disagreements with marshals must be resolved as outlined in Procedures for Grievances
• Each fighter must remain in control over his/her temper at all times
• You must not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while participating in any SCA combat.
• All fighters must immediately stop upon hearing HOLD! and must convey the order by calling out "Hold" themself.
• Any behaviour that takes deliberate advantage of an opponent's chivalry or saftey consciousness, or that takes deliberate unfair advantage of an opponent, is prohibited.
• A fighter may not deliberately strike a helpless opponent.
• A fighter may not gain unfair advantage by repeatedly becoming "helpless" (eg. falling over, dropping weapons) after being duly warned by marshals on the field, be forced to yield at the next occurrance of the behaviour.
• A fighter may not strike a non-combatant (which should be appropriately marked as such)
• A fighter may not strike a light fighter, but must instead get to within 5m of range and (while in control of the situation) exclaim loudly "My Lord/Lady, you are slain" (or similar).

Target areas, where you are allowed to strike your opponent:

• The torso - considered to be anwhere above the points of the hip, including the groin, shoulder blades, and the areas between the neck and shoulders are considered to be the torso.
• The face - between the chin and middle of the forehead, and the area between the ears.,
• The head - the whole neck and head, excluding the face as outlined above.
• The thigh - One inch above the knee, to the bottom of the hip socket.
• Hips - area between the bottom of the hip socket, and below the point of the hips.
• Shoulders - The point of the shoulder down to a line even with the top of the underarm.
• Arms - shoulder to one inch above the wrist.
• Blows that land outside these areas shall not be counted

See also:

• combat
• war
• Rules of the list

External link: http://www.sca.org/officers/marshal/combat/armored/marshal_handbook.pdf