ARCH - Fw: Thrown-weapons rules (fwd)

Wed Jun 14 15:01:18 PDT 2000

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Date: Friday, June 09, 2000 1:48 PM
Subject: Thrown-weapons rules (fwd)

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                   SCA THROWN-WEAPONS RULES 

THROWN-WEAPONS MARSHALS

 Requirements for Thrown-Weapons Marshals:

1.   All Thrown-Weapons Marshals (TWMs) shall be knowledgeable about throwing
     weapons, range safety, and SCA and kingdom throwing weapon rules. 

2.   All Thrown-Weapons Marshals are officers of the SCA and shall maintain
     membership as required by the SCA By-Laws, and shall be warranted by their
     kingdom as required by Corpora.

Responsibilities of Thrown-Weapons Marshals:

 1.  The kingdom Thrown-Weapons Marshal shall ensure that the kingdom thrown-
     weapons rules include, at a minimum, basic range safety standards, equipment
     standards, warranting and reporting procedures for Thrown-Weapons Marshals
     and injury reporting procedures. 

 2.  No thrown-weapons activities are to take place at an event unless a warranted
     thrown-weapons marshal is present.

 3.  In the event of any disagreement, the Marshal in Charge (MIC) shall have
     complete say and control in resolving the dispute, subject to appeal to the
     kingdom Earl Marshal or the Crown. Appeals may be made via the appropriate
     procedures as specified in kingdom and SCA law and policy.

 4.  The commands of the Marshal in Charge are to be followed explicitly by all
     throwers while on the thrown-weapons range. Failure to follow the Marshal in
     Charge's instructions may result in removal from the range. 

 5.  The Marshal in Charge may request the assistance of other Marshals in running
     the line and inspecting equipment. However, the responsibility for safely setting
     up and running the range remains with the Marshal in Charge. 

 6.  The Marshal in Charge or the assisting Marshals have the authority to see that all
     thrown weapons are inspected for damage and compliance with the rules of the
     line.

          Equipment that does not meet the standards laid out in these rules shall
          not be used.
          Equipment deemed dangerous by the Marshal in Charge shall not be used.

 7.  While on duty, all Thrown-Weapons Marshals are responsible for the
     enforcement of the rules and safety standards for thrown-weapons activities or
     events. 

 8.  As part of their duties, Thrown-Weapons Marshals are responsible for taking all
     reasonable steps for ensuring that all throwers are familiar with and comply with
     the SCA and Kingdom Thrown-Weapons Rules. 

 9.  All kingdom level Thrown-Weapons Marshals are required to report quarterly to
     the SCA Archery Marshal. This is in addition to any reports to their superior
     required by kingdom law.

10.  The Marshal in Charge at an event shall report, to the kingdom Thrown-
     Weapons Marshal and any others required by kingdom law and policy, all
     injuries requiring professional medical treatment as a result of activity on or
     about the range. 

11.  The Kingdom Thrown-Weapons Marshal shall report to the Society Archery
     Marshal any injuries related to thrown-weapons activities which required
     professional medical treatment as well as any potentially dangerous
     circumstances or incidents involving thrown-weapons activities in the kingdom
     and their outcome.

EQUIPMENT STANDARDS

General Standards:

1.   Each thrower has the final responsibility for the proper care and safe use of their
     weapons, and for knowing and following their kingdom's thrown-weapon rules. 

          A thrower shall not knowingly use unsafe equipment. 

          If a thrower is unsure of the safety of their equipment they shall request
          the assistance of a Thrown-Weapons Marshal in inspecting their
          equipment.

          The Thrown-Weapons Marshal assisting in the inspection shall make a
          reasonable attempt to locate any unsafe conditions or violations of
          kingdom rules and inform the thrower of what is found and how to
          correct it. 

          The inspection by the Thrown-Weapons Marshal may not find all
          equipment faults and is conducted as a service to all the throwers on the
          line. It does not remove the throwers' primary responsibility for the safe
          condition of their own equipment. 

          Any equipment observed by a Thrown-Weapons Marshal to be unsafe
          shall not be used until it is made safe and reinspected by a Thrown-
          Weapons Marshal.

2.   Equipment and safety standards vary greatly depending upon the type of
     thrown weapon and the techniques that are used to throw the weapon. All
     inspections and decisions should be made with the following considerations:
          How will the user be throwing the weapon? E.g., for knives, will it be
          thrown by the handle or the blade? 
          Is the weapon designed to be thrown?
          Is the weapon sturdy enough to be thrown?
          How sharp is the blade?
          How balanced is the weapon? If the weapon is so unbalanced that it
          would be awkward to swing, the thrower should demonstrate that it can
          be thrown safely.
          Is the weapon either excessively light or heavy in weight? 
          Is the weapon either excessively short or long?
          Is the handle taped? If a weapons handle has been taped or reinforced, it
          must have been done for a reason. Ask the owner about it. Give it extra
          attention; make sure that it is structurally sound and safe. Duct tape is not
          an acceptable fix for a handle with a major crack. If it cannot be inspected
          due to coverings, it should be failed.

Knives:

1.   Throwing knives should be of a size and weight which allows them to be thrown
     safely and easily.

2.    The handle of the knife should be firmly attached. 

3.   The throwing surface should be free of burrs or protrusions that can cut or injure
     an unprotected hand upon release. 

Axes:

1.   Axes should be of a size and weight which allows them to be thrown safely and
     easily. 

2.   The handles of all axes should be firmly attached.

3.   Some axes are designed to allow the head to slide up a tapered handle and
     pressure-fit on. The heads will come off if they are pushed toward the butt of the
     handle. When the axe is used, the head is forced into place and seats tightly. The
     inspecting marshal should ensure that the head does indeed seat tightly and will
     not slip over the taper.

4.   The haft cannot have any major cracks.

5.   The haft cannot have any burrs or rough surfaces that can cut or give splinters to
     an unprotected hand upon release. 

Spears:

1.   Spears may not be excessively long or heavy. 

2.   Spear heads must be firmly attached to the shaft of the spear. 

3.   The shaft cannot have any burrs or rough surfaces that can cut or give splinters to
     an unprotected hand upon release. 

4.   The shaft must be sound and without major cracks. 

Specialized Throwing Weapons:

     Specialized throwing weapons are any weapons that have been designed with
     more than one impact surface to increase the chances of the weapon sticking in
     the target. Because they come in a variety of shapes and sizes, they must be
     judged on an individual basis.

RANGE SAFETY, RANGE PROCEDURES, AND RULES OF THE LINE

     Safety is of primary importance.

Range Set-Up:

1.   The range will be identifiable at all times. Rope, tape, poles, etc., may be used to
     mark off the range and the safety area 

2.   The Marshal in Charge should be easily identified.

3.   The throwing line is the closest position from which a throw can be made.

4.   Hard targets for knives and axes should be at least 10 feet away from the
     throwing line (down-range). A hard target is any target made of materials that
     provide a solid resistance. This includes, but is not limited to, logs, plywood, etc.

5.   Hard targets for spears should be at least 20 feet away from the throwing line.

6.   Soft targets for spears should be at least 10 feet away from the throwing line. A
     soft target is any target made of materials that do not provide solid resistance.
     This includes, but is not limited to, hay bales, styrofoam, etc.

7.   A safe zone shall be established that takes into consideration the weapons being
     used and the range conditions. The safe zone includes the area behind and to the
     sides of the targets as well as behind the throwing line. 

Range Procedures and Commands:

1.   The Marshal will call the throwers to the line.

2.   The Marshal will look to see that all is clear down-range.

3.   The Marshal will look to see that nobody is directly behind the throwers, in the
     path of the swing, or in the arch traversed by the swing.

4.   The Marshal will call out "Range clear!" or the equivalent, and wait momentarily
     for any responses.

5.   If all is clear, then the order "Throw when ready!" or the equivalent will be given.

6.   When finished, the throwers are to put down any weapons in hand, step back
     from the line and wait until the order to retrieve is given. 

7.   When all throwers are finished, the Marshal will call "Weapons down!" or the
     equivalent and wait for compliance.

8.   When all weapons are down, then the Marshal will give the command, "Retrieve
     weapons!" or the equivalent.

Rules of the Line:

 1.  Side-arm throwing of weapons requires an adequate safe zone and the Marshal
     in Charge's permission.

 2.  Throwers must ask the Thrown-Weapons Marshal for permission before filling in
     on the line.

 3.  All throwers on the line must throw from approximately the same distance.

 4.  Throw only at designated targets.

 5.  Do not throw until commanded to do so.

 6.  Do not retrieve until commanded to do so.

 7.  If "HOLD!" is called, put down your weapon(s) and step back from the line.

 8.  Step aside or back once you have completed throwing. 

 9.  Do not throw weapons that have not been inspected.
          Any weapon hit by another weapon must be re-inspected by the thrower.

10.  Do not stand or walk behind throwers on the line.

11.  Just before EACH throw, look behind to ensure that it is clear. 

12.  Do not swing weapons aimlessly or in a careless manner. Always be aware of
     what may be in the path of your weapon when it is swung.

13.  Be aware of sharp points and edges of weapons.

14.  Stay alert. Weapons can and will bounce back from the target if mis-thrown.