ARCH - Fw: missile combat rules (fwd)
Bob Dewart
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Wed Jun 14 15:02:51 PDT 2000
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Date: Friday, June 09, 2000 1:49 PM
Subject: missile combat rules (fwd)
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SCA Missile Combat Rules
MARSHALING MISSILE COMBAT
1. The Marshal-in-Charge (MIC) shall be responsible for establishing a safe area for
spectators and non-combatants. The Marshal-in-Charge shall ensure that all
spectators are made aware of the danger of missile weapons prior to the start of
combat. He shall attempt to minimize the risk to all spectators, participants, and
bystanders as much as is possible given the constraints of the site.
2. Where missile combat is to take place, a readily identifiable boundary for the
combat shall be established. The Marshal-in-Charge shall establish a safe distance
for the spectators from the boundary as is appropriate to the scenario and
missiles used.
3. If any combatant crosses any established boundary (i.e., into a spectators' area), a
hold must be called immediately and the combatant(s) involved must be
repositioned safely before being allowed to resume combat. Any combatant who
crosses such a boundary and then discharges a missile or otherwise endangers a
spectator will be ejected from the battle and may be ejected from the event or
subject to other sanctions. Any combatant intentionally striking, or attempting to
strike, a non-contact archer or any non-combatant (water bearer, marshal, herald,
etc.) with a weapon shall be ejected from the battle and may be ejected from the
event or subject to other sanctions. This also applies to any missile user
intentionally hitting, or attempting to hit, a non-combatant or spectator with any
missile.
4. Marshals should pay special attention to enforcement of the capture/slaying
rules, and to strictly enforcing the above rules concerning crossing boundaries.
5. Non-combatants, such as marshals, on the field during combat are required to
wear eye protection which is sufficient to protect against the combat arrows or
other missiles in use, such as industrial or sports safety glasses or goggles. Note:
An SCA legal helm is considered sufficient protection. Eye protection for golf tube
arrows tipped with tennis balls is strongly recommended, but not required.
DEFINITIONS
1. Light Weapons:
Projectile weapons including, but not limited to, bows and arrows, crossbows and
bolts, slings and stones or bullets, javelins, darts, and throwing axes. Other
weapons in this class, including knives and siege engines, exist and have been
used.
2. Full-Contact Missile Combatant:
A combatant wearing armor which meets at least the minimum requirements for
rattan (heavy) weapons combat and who will be using missile equipment in
combat. EXCEPTION: A full-contact missile combatant's hand protection shall
meet the Archer's Gauntlet requirement as defined below in the Missile Combat
Rules.
3. Non-Contact Missile Combatant:
A combatant wearing armor which meets at least the minimum requirements for
light weapons combat and who will be using missile equipment in combat.
4. Anti-Bounceback Device (ABD):
A device attached to the nock end of an arrow which prevents or greatly reduces
the possibility of injury in the event of a wood or fiberglass shafted arrow
bouncing back nock first, or of a fighter falling upon an upright shaft.
MISSILE COMBAT RULES
FULL-CONTACT COMBAT ARCHERS (HEAVY ARCHERS)
1. Full-Contact Combat Archers shall meet the minimal Society standards for a fully
armoured, heavy weapons combatant. The only exception to this rule shall be
those archers equipped with the "Archer's Gauntlet'' (see Point Three below).
2. Full-Contact Combat Archers shall be authorized to participate by the
marshallate, following established marshallate procedures. During this
authorization all Combat Archers must show:
That they are familiar with the Rules of the Lists, the SCA Missile Combat
Rules, and all the rules and conventions of combat pertaining to missile
combat in their Kingdom.
That they can recognize and accept a killing blow.
That they are safe to themselves and their opponents.
That they can keep their bow out of the way during combat.
That they have an awareness of spectator safety.
3. Full-Contact Combat Archers shall wear an "Archer's Gauntlet'' on the hand
which is used to pick up and draw arrows. The hand in which the bow is held
shall meet the minimum Society standards for hand protection for a fully
armoured, heavy weapons combatant. The "Archer's Gauntlet'' shall be a
minimum of a hockey glove with the fingers cut off, so that the back of the hand
and the wrist are protected. Other gauntlets such as demi-gauntlets may be used
in place of the "Archer's Gauntlet'' described above, so long as they provide
equivalent or greater protection.
4. A Full-Contact Combat Archer may be struck/killed in the same manner as any
combatant on the field. A cry of "yield" shall be accepted. Once killed,
Full-Contact Combat Archers are treated as any other dead combatant, being
removed from combat as soon as practical (thus decreasing the chance that a bow
will be stepped on).
5. When only full-contact missile troops are on the field, archers must be far enough
from their target so that their arrow will be airborne before it strikes their target.
If mixed troops are on the field, the minimum distance from the target is five
yards.
6. A Full-Contact Combat Archer may become a regular combatant provided that
he/she is authorized as a regular combatant and does two things:
Discards his/her bow in a safe manner, so as not to cause a hazard, and
replaces it with an approved weapon/weapons and/or shield.
Either changes his/her "Archer's Gauntlet" for a combat-legal gauntlet, or
places that hand in an approved basket hilt. "Approved" in this instance
means the basket hilt was inspected and approved by a warranted marshal
while the Combat Archer was wearing his/her "Archer's Gauntlet'' inside
the basket hilt.
NON-CONTACT COMBAT ARCHERS (LIGHT ARCHERS)
1. Non-Contact Combat Archers shall meet the Missile Weapon equipment
standards.
2. Non-Contact Combat Archers shall be authorized to participate by the
marshallate, following established marshallate procedures. During this
authorization all Combat Archers must show:
That they are familiar with the Rules of the List, the SCA Missile Combat
rules and all the rules and conventions of combat pertaining to missile
combat in their Kingdom.
That they are safe to themselves and their opponents.
That they can recognize a killing blow from a missile.
That they have an awareness of spectator safety.
3. Each Kingdom shall establish a safe method of determining that Non-Contact
Combat Archers are "dead'' (such as approaching within 10 feet of the archer,
touch kill, etc.).
4. Non-Contact Combat Archers must be no closer to their target than five yards
when shooting.
5. Non-Contact Combat Archers are not to be struck by any heavy weapons
combatant. They are subject to missile fire.
NOTE: Since only Lochac in the West and the Southern Reaches of Caid still use 3/4 inch
blunts, reference to these has been removed from the rules. The SCA Marshal will
continue to allow the above-named regions to use the blunts, as well as plumes instead
of the red pheon for the non-contact symbol. No new use of any combat archery head
less than 1 1/4 inch in diameter will be permitted.
MISSILE COMBAT EQUIPMENT
GENERAL
All missile combatants bear final responsibility for the condition and safety of
their own equipment.
ARMOR
Basic Requirements:
1. All armor shall be fastened so as to prevent its being dislodged during use. All
armor shall protect the wearer regardless of the wearer's posture or position.
2. Non-combatants will bear conspicuous insignia which identify their non-combat
status (usually the arms of their office).
3. Eye protection suitable for the missiles in use is required for all participants, such
as marshals, heralds, etc., on the field during combat. When tennis ball-tipped
golf tube arrows are used exclusively, eye protection is strongly recommended,
but not required.
4. When wood/fiberglass shafted arrows are used, industrial or sports safety glasses
may be worn, or adequate screening or shatterproof plastic, such as Lexan, may
be attached to the helm over the eyes to provide additional eye protection.
5. The lenses of all eye wear shall be shatterproof safety glass or plastic, such as
industrial safety glasses meeting ANSI Z 87.1 standard. Ordinary glass lenses are
prohibited.
6. The use of minimum 1/8 inch thick Lexan or other equivalent shatterproof plastic
worn on the outside of the helm, as additional eye protection, is allowed. This is
in addition to combat-legal bars or visor slots.
Non-Contact Armor Requirements:
1. In combat situations where light weapons are used exclusively, the minimum
requirement is a fencing mask. The mask or helm must cover the front and sides
of the head, and be fastened in such a manner as to prevent it from coming off or
being significantly dislodged during normal use. In addition, the back of the head
must be covered with heavy padding, at a minimum.
A barred or visor slotted helm of 18 gauge metal, which otherwise meets the
minimum SCA construction standards, is acceptable. A helm without legal face
bars or slots shall have all openings covered with well-secured perforated metal,
chain mail, or stout wire mesh with openings of no more than 1/4 inch (soldered
or woven). Window screen or galvanized hardware cloth is not acceptable.
Shatterproof plastic such as Lexan, of a minimum 1/8 inch thickness, may also be
used.
If chain mail is used, the links must be hard tempered, welded, soldered, or
otherwise strengthened to avoid opening under impact.
2. If non-contact missile users are to be on the field during mixed combat, they must
wear a helm which meets the minimum SCA construction standards, except that
it may be made of 18 gauge steel. It must be padded adequately to protect against
an unintentional blow. However, if the helm resembles a standard heavy combat
helm it must be made of 16 gauge or heavier steel. The helm shall be marked with
4 inch or taller red pheons of the Interkingdom Non-Contact symbol.
3. Puncture- and thrust-resistant padding for the back of the head, the throat, and
the neck is required. Tournament combat helms and neck armor are acceptable
equivalents.
4. Kidney and groin armor meeting minimum SCA tourney standards is required.
5. A minimum of leather gloves shall be worn on the hands.
6. It is required that shoes or boots be worn on the feet.
7. Protection for the knees of resilient material is required.
Full-Contact Armor Requirements:
1. Full-contact missile users shall wear armor meeting the minimum requirements
for combat using rattan (heavy) weapons.
2. They shall wear a minimum of an archer's gauntlet or demi-gauntlet on the hand
that is used to pick up or draw the arrow or to throw any missile.
3. It is required that shoes or boots be worn on the feet.
BOWS
General Requirements:
1. The draw weight of the bow is to be determined at 28 inches draw length, as
measured from the center of the bow riser.
2. If both wood/fiberglass shafted arrows and golf tube arrows are to be used at the
same time, then those bows designed exclusively for golf tube arrows (see
"Heavy Bows" below) must have the full width of the upper limb clearly marked
with a strip of red tape, or the equivalent, for the top six inches.
3. Bows may not be used to strike an opponent, nor may they be used as a shield
against rattan weapons. However, non-contact combat archers may protect
themselves from attack if necessary.
4. No one may shoot a non-approved missile from their bow. For example, shooting
a wood shaft arrow from a bow with more than 30 pounds draw is not permitted.
Such use may be considered grounds for removing a fighter from the field and/or
revoking his/her authorization.
5. Due to the restrictions which have been placed on missile weapons (i.e., bow
draw weight, arrow construction), missiles are not generally required to strike as
hard as non-missile weapons in order for the blow to be counted.
6. Compound bows are not permitted.
Light Bows:
1. A Combat Archer may use any recurve or longbow that is in a safe and usable
condition, so long as the bow does not exceed 30 (thirty) pounds draw weight at
28 inches of draw. Bows shall be inspected before use by a warranted marshal,
knowledgeable about archery equipment and safety.
2. Bows of 30 (thirty) pounds or less are considered Light Bows and may be used to
shoot either wood or fiberglass shafted arrows or golf tube arrows.
Heavy Bows:
1. Bows used only for shooting golf-tube arrows are considered Heavy Bows. They
may have a draw weight of up to 50 (fifty) pounds at 28 inches of draw. Bows
shall be inspected before use by a warranted marshal, knowledgeable about
archery equipment and safety.
2. If the arrows to be used are not golf tube arrows, but their nock ends cannot
penetrate the visor slot or bars of a combat-legal helm, then the bow to be used
may be permitted to have a draw weight of more than 30 (thirty) pounds. This
will be determined, on a case-by-case basis, by both the Society Marshal and
Society Archery Marshal at the request of the kingdom Earl Marshal.
CROSSBOWS
General Requirements:
1. Crossbows may not be used to strike an opponent, nor may they be used as a
shield against rattan weapons. However, non-contact combat archers may
protect themselves from attack if necessary.
2. No one may shoot a non-approved missile from a crossbow. Such use may be
considered grounds for removing a fighter from the field and/or revoking his/her
authorization.
3. Compound crossbows are not permitted.
Light Crossbows:
1. A Light Crossbow is one which does not exceed 600 inch pounds. The number of
inch pounds is determined by multiplying the length of the power stroke in
inches by the pounds of pull at the locked position on the string. (The pull weight
is to be measured at the nut--i.e., string position when the crossbow is cocked.) A
Combat Archer may use any Light Crossbow that is in a safe and usable
condition.
2. Crossbows shall be inspected before use by a warranted marshal, knowledgeable
about archery equipment and safety.
Heavy Crossbows:
1. Crossbows shooting exclusively golf-tube arrows may have a power of up to 1000
inch pounds, and are considered Heavy Crossbows.
2. If the arrows to be used are not golf tube arrows, but their nock ends cannot
penetrate the visor slot or bars of a combat-legal helm, then the crossbow to be
used may be permitted to have a draw weight of more than 600 inch pounds.
This will be determined on a case-by-case basis, by both the Society Marshal and
Society Archery Marshal at the request of the Kingdom Marshal.
ARROWS AND BOLTS
General Requirements:
1. Arrows may only be used as missiles launched from a bow. No arrows shall be
used as hand-held thrusting weapons. Such use may be considered grounds for
removing a fighter from the field and/or revoking his/her authorization.
2. New designs or materials for blunts, shafts, etc. must first be tested at a kingdom
level for safety and durability. Interested parties should contact the Society
Archery Marshal for testing standards. Then the test results must be sent to both
the Society Earl Marshal and Society Archery Marshal for approval at Society
level and for distribution to the other kingdoms.
Wood or Fiberglass Shafted Arrows and Bolts:
1. Arrows must have a blunt head, such as a Markland or modified Markland,
Thistle Missile, Baldar, UHMW, Morak or other SCA approved combat blunt. The
padded face of the blunt may be flat, rounded or parabolic, but not pointed.
Fiberglass shafted crossbow bolts may not use Thistle Missile blunts for
heads.
Handmade blunts are required to have a minimum of half an inch of
resilient padding (measured after taping) over the full striking surface of
the face. The padding should have progressive give and should hold up
under repeated impact. The blunt must have a finished diameter of at least
1 1/4 inches and must not be capable of being forced through the one-inch
opening of the bars of a combat-legal helm for more than « inch.
2. Padding on the face of a blunt which has compacted under use to less than a half-
inch in thickness must be replaced.
3. Only wood or solid fiberglass shafted arrows are permitted. Shafts should have a
minimum diameter of 1/4 inch for fiberglass or 5/16 inch for wood.
4. Blunts shall be firmly secured to the shaft so that they cannot come off on impact
or if the shaft is broken. The cable tie alone is not sufficient for Baldar Blunts. All
blunts must be secured by at least one strip of 1/2 inch wide (minimum) good
quality electrical or strapping tape. This strip shall run over the face of the blunt
and down the sides, and onto the shaft for at least one inch. It shall be secured to
the shaft by another strip of tape which wraps around it as well as the base of the
blunt and the shaft. Other methods which provide equal or greater safety are
permitted with the approval of the Kingdom Marshal.
5. Maximum allowable draw length (bottom of the nock slot to just behind the
blunt) is 28 inches.
6. Metal points must be removed prior to mounting blunt points. The front end of
the shaft must be flat, not pointed. A slight rounding of the edges is allowed for
ease of construction. The use of metal points or sharp shafts will be considered
grounds for removing a fighter from the field and/or revoking his/her
authorization.
7. The shaft of the arrow shall be spirally or longitudinally wrapped with plastic
tape, such as electrical tape, Mylar, or strapping tape, totally covering the surface
from the front of the fletching to the tip of the shaft. The tape should be strong
enough so that if the shaft should break, it will still be held together.
8. Wood or fiberglass shafted arrows shall be used only after inspection supervised
by a marshal. Archers shall be responsible for re-checking the safety of all arrows
at the time of use.
9. All arrows shall be clearly marked for identification with the name of the user.
For interkingdom wars the name of the kingdom shall be included as well to
make it easier to locate the maker/owner of the arrows.
Gleaning of Arrows:
1. Golf tube arrows may be gleaned and reinspected upon the field by the archer
and then reused.
2. If mixed arrow types are used (wood/fiberglass shafted and golf tubes) then only
golf tube arrows may be gleaned and field inspected. The wood/fiberglass arrows
may be removed from the field and inspected under the supervision of a marshal
during the battle.
NOTE: The gleaning and field inspection of fiberglass or SCA approved ABD shafts will
not be allowed at this time. When they have been in use for some time with no
indication of safety problems, then they will be considered for field inspection.
Golf Tube Arrows:
Golf Tube Combat Arrows shall be constructed by using a plastic golf tube and
attaching a tennis ball, foam thrusting tip or other approved head to the
reinforcing ring end.
To construct the tennis-ball style:
Using a strong cord of 1/8" or less diameter, tie the tennis ball to the golf tube by
crossing two pieces of cord through the golf tube underneath the reinforcing
ring, and over the tennis ball. Be sure that the knots are located on the side of the
tennis ball and not at the tip. Securely tape the tennis ball to the tube using
fiber-reinforced tape. Be sure that the cords are securely taped to the tennis ball
to prevent slippage. These cords will prevent the tennis ball from being torn loose
when the arrow strikes a hard surface.
To construct the foam thrusting-tip style:
Construction methods should be similar to those of thrusting tips for rattan
weapons. The tip should be a minimum of 1.5 inches diameter, and should allow
for a minimum of 1 inch of compression. The shaft of the arrow need not be
taped as there is no chance of breakage. Fletches are recommended for better
stability during flight. Fletches must be of feathers or of a soft, flexible material
such as plastic vanes, foam or duct tape, and rounded so as not to have sharp
corners.
To reduce the likelihood of a golf tube arrow penetrating an SCA legal helm in
the event of "bounce-back," a plug made of foam, paper, 35mm film can or
similar material should be put in the nock end of the arrow so as to limit the
tendency of the tube to compress upon impact. (Alternative solutions to this
problem are subject to the Earl Marshal's approval.)
Maximum allowable arrow draw length (bottom of the nock slot to just behind
the blunt) is 28 inches. The use of lightweight foam to stiffen the shaft may be
permitted. This must not add substantial additional weight to the arrow.
FULL-CONTACT COMBAT JAVELIN THROWERS (HEAVY JAVELIN THROWERS)
1. Full-Contact Combat Javelin Throwers shall meet the minimum Society standards
for a fully armoured, heavy weapons combatant. The only exception to this rule
shall be the ''Archer's Gauntlet'' (see Point Three below).
2. Full-Contact Combat Javelin Throwers shall be authorized to participate by the
marshallate, following established marshallate procedures. During this
authorization all Combat Javelin Throwers must show:
That they are familiar with the Rules of the List, the SCA Missile Combat
Rules, and all the conventions of missile combat in their kingdom.
That they can recognize and accept a killing blow.
That they are safe to themselves and their opponents, i.e., they can throw
a javelin so that it hits head first.
That they have an awareness of spectator safety.
3. Full-Contact Javelin Throwers shall wear, at minimum, an ''Archer's Gauntlet'' or
demi-gauntlet on the hand that is used to throw javelins. The other hand shall
meet the minimum Society standards for hand protection for a fully armoured
heavy weapons combatant.
4. A Full-Contact Javelin Thrower may be struck/killed in the same manner as any
combatant on the field. A cry of "yield" shall be accepted. Once killed,
Full-Contact Javelin Throwers are treated as any other dead combatant, being
removed from combat as soon as practical.
5. A Full-Contact Javelin Thrower may become a regular combatant as long as
he/she is authorized as a regular combatant and does two things:
Discards, in such a way as to not cause a hazard, any javelins being held in
the hands or arms and takes up an approved weapon and/or shield.
Either changes his/her ''Archer's Gauntlet'' for a combat-legal gauntlet, or
places his/her hand in an approved basket hilt. "Approved" in this instance
means that the basket hilt was inspected and approved by a warranted
marshal while the javelin thrower was wearing his/her ''Archer's Gauntlet''
inside the basket hilt.
6. Javelins shall not be used to block heavy weapon blows.
7. Javelins may be used while carrying a shield.
NON-CONTACT JAVELIN THROWERS (LIGHT JAVELIN THROWERS)
1. Non-Contact Javelin Throwers shall meet the Missile Weapon equipment
standards.
2. Non-Contact Javelin Throwers shall be authorized to participate by the
marshallate, following established marshallate procedures. During this
authorization all javelin throwers must show:
That they are familiar with the Rules of the List, the SCA Missile Combat
rules, and all the conventions of missile combat in their Kingdom.
That they are safe to themselves and their opponents, i.e., they can throw
a javelin so that it hits head first.
That they can recognize a killing blow from a missile.
That they have an awareness of spectator safety.
3. Each Kingdom shall establish a safe method of determining that Non-Contact
Javelin Throwers are ''dead'' (such as approaching within 10 feet of the javeliner,
touch kill, etc.).
4. Non-Contact Javelin Throwers are not to be struck by any heavy weapons
combatant. They are subject to missile fire.
MISSILE COMBAT EQUIPMENT
JAVELINS
1. Javelins may be constructed from lengths of one inch outer diameter (3/4 inch
inner diameter), schedule 40 PVC tubing, or equivalent materials approved by the
marshallate. Any equivalent should be as strong or stronger, and not significantly
heavier, than schedule 40 PVC tubing. The use of Silo-flex, ASTM number D-2239,
with a wall thickness of 1/8 inch and a 1 inch inside diameter, is also permitted.
2. Darts are a short version of javelins and follow the same construction standards.
3. Javelin shafts shall be spirally or longitudinally wrapped with fiber tape or any
other material that will safely contain any breakage.
4. Striking tips shall be constructed according to tourney weapon thrusting tip
standards.
5. The butt end of the shaft must be covered to present a flat and solid surface, i.e.,
with PVC pipe caps.
6. The total weight of the javelin should not exceed 2 pounds.
(NOTE: The two-pound limit will not take effect until one year after the rules go into
force. This is to allow those kingdoms using 2.2 pound (1 kilo) javelins time to replace
them. However, no new 2.2 pound javelins should be constructed during that time.)
7. Javelins shall be marked with the name of their user or maker. For interkingdom
wars they shall also be marked with the name of the kingdom to make it easier to
locate the maker/user of the javelins.
8. The javelin shall be constructed so that, when thrown head first, it will always
strike head first. If necessary, fins, fletching, streamers, etc. should be used to
prevent the javelin from turning and striking butt first. The fins should be
constructed of a non-rigid material, such as closed cell foam or leather.
OTHER MISSILE WEAPONS
General Rules:
1. A missile shall not contain any material, such as beans, sand, etc., which could
enter the eyes if the missile came loose or broke.
2. All missile weapons shall be marked with the name of their user or maker. For
interkingdom wars they shall also be marked with the name of the kingdom to
make it easier to locate the maker/user of the weapons.
Hand Thrown Missiles:
1. Hand thrown missiles may include, but are not limited to: axes, throwing knives,
etc.
2. Hand thrown missiles shall not exceed two pounds in weight. They should have
progressive give similar to a legal javelin head. Lighter weight missiles may have
less progressive give.
Hand-Held Mechanically Launched Missiles:
1. Hand-held mechanically launched missiles may include, but are not limited to:
hand and staff slings, spear/dart throwers, tennis ball shooting crossbows. Hand
or shoulder held guns are not allowed.
2. Tennis ball missiles shall not exceed 3 ounces in weight. The balls may be
perforated with a 1/4 inch maximum diameter hole by drilling. To prevent their
collapsing when stepped on, they may not be slotted.
3. Darts or javelins used with spear throwers shall be of golf tube construction. The
spear thrower shall not be capable of throwing a golf tube dart/javelin more than
eighty yards. The spear thrower must not be able to pass through the bars of a
SCA legal helm.
4. The maximum range for three-ounce tennis ball missiles launched from a hand
held weapon is 90 yards and for two-ounce tennis ball missiles, 100 yards.
Non-Contact Missile Troops:
Non-contact missile troops using either hand thrown or hand-held mechanically
launched missiles must be no closer to their target than five yards.
Full Contact Missile Troops:
When only full-contact missile troops are on the field, combatants using either
hand thrown or hand-held mechanically launched missiles, such as spear
throwers, must be far enough from their target so that their missile will be
airborne before it strikes their target.
KINGDOM LEVEL MISSILE COMBAT OFFICERS
Each kingdom level missile combat officer shall report quarterly to the Society
Archery Marshal. This is in addition to any reporting required by kingdom law.
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