ANST-Announce - Youth Boffer rules
Tim Lozos
timden at lcc.net
Sat Jul 17 15:00:24 PDT 1999
Here are the latest copies of the Youth Boffer rules. They are also on
the web at:
http://southern.ansteorra.org/boffer.html
[ I must apologize for not getting these out sooner. -Pug ]
---- Youth Combat Rules for the Kingdom of Ansteorra Version 4.0
Summary: The goal of Ansteorran Youth Combat is to recreate medieval foot
combat, as practiced in the SCA, for participants under the age of 18.
I. General Conventions
These rules and guidelines apply to all Youth Boffer Divisions, Ages
6-15 and the Youth Chivalric Division Age 16-17. Specific differences
between the divisions are addressed in "Divisional Standards". The terms
"Boffer combat" or "Youth combat" used in these rules apply to all
four youth divisions.
A. Rules of the List
1. Each combatant shall keep control over his/her temper at all times.
2. Combatants shall behave in a courteous, honorable, and chivalrous
manner at all times.
3. Combatants must accept any blow that hits them if it is fair and
honorable, clean, not blocked, and a purposely-delivered shot.
4. No combatant will deliver or accept blows from two inches (2") above
the knee to the tips of the toes and from one inch (1") above the wrist
to the tips of the fingers.
5. A blow to the body, shoulder, or head is accepted as a "killing"
blow. Any blow to the arm or leg "injures" the arm or leg, and the arm
or leg cannot be used. Combatants may, after the loss of a leg, fight
from a seated or kneeling position. Walking on the knees is prohibited.
6. The Field of Honor (list field) will not be used to settle disputes.
7. An angry combatant should leave the field.
8. Any behavior that takes deliberate advantage of an opponent's chivalry
or safety-consciousness, or that takes deliberate unfair advantage of an
opponent is not allowed. Such behavior may include, but is not limited
to, the following:
a. Walking around an opponent on the ground
b. Blows delivered or accepted from behind a combatant's back
during any combat, either tournament or melee. Any blows that
hit from behind by mistake shall not count. Any repeated offense
will result in the removal of the combatant.
c. Hitting someone that cannot defend him/herself.
d. Intentionally becoming "helpless" by repeatedly dropping
weapons, falling down, purposefully ignoring valid attempts to
gain a combatant's attention, etc.
e. Grappling or wrestling with, or kicking an opponent's
equipment or
person.
f. Intentionally moving an illegal target into the path of a blow.
g. Hitting with excessive force.
h. Refusing to acknowledge blows
I. Using any weapon, or other piece of equipment, in a manner
that it was not made for or in an otherwise forbidden manner.
B. Marshalate Guidelines
1. The activity of Youth Combat within Ansteorra shall be regulated and
monitored by the Office of the Kingdom Earl Marshal, through the Deputy
Kingdom Earl Marshal for Youth Combat and any other authorized deputies.
2. The Marshal on the field is expected to take an active role in safety,
sportsmanship and assistance with blow calling.
3. There shall be two types of Marshals: the Adult Boffer Marshal,
and the Youth Boffer Marshal
4. An Adult Boffer Marshal is a person at least age 18 authorized to:
a. Marshal on the boffer combat field b. Inspect weapons and armor
of boffer combat c. Teach the pre-authorization class d. Authorize
youth combatants in all four boffer classes e. Authorize Youth
Marshals in all four boffer classes
It is strongly suggested that an Adult Boffer Marshal have a current
authorization to marshal Adult Chivalric and/or Rapier Combat.
5. A Youth Boffer Marshal is a person in the 13-17 age bracket authorized
to:
a. Marshal on the field of Boffer combat under supervision of
an Adult Boffer Marshal. b. Inspect weapons and armor of boffer
combat under supervision of an Adult Boffer Marshal.
6. Adult Boffer and Youth Boffer Marshals are required to attend a
Pre-Authorization Class
7. At least one (1) Adult Boffer Marshal is required for any practice
bouts. One or more Youth Boffer Marshals may also be present.
8. At least two (2) Adult Boffer Marshals must be on the field for any
tournament bout. A Youth Boffer Marshal may also be present. (Chivalric
Marshals who have not been specifically authorized as Adult Boffer
Marshals will not be allowed to stand in.)
9. For melee combat, the number of Adult Boffer Marshals present should
be appropriate for the number of participants.
10. Adult Boffer Marshals are responsible for combat safety. This
includes, but is not limited to, checking weapons, observing combat,
warning a combatant of inappropriate or dangerous actions, disallowing
dangerous weapons, and, if necessary, removing a combatant from the field.
11. It is suggested to allow Youth Boffer Marshals as much control and
authority over combat as possible. However the final responsibility on
the field is with the Adult Boffer Marshal.
12. Any combatant who refuses to obey the commands of the marshals,
including Youth Boffer Marshals, shall be removed from the field.
13. Prior to any combat (official fighter practice, tournament, or
melee) all combatants' armor must be inspected on the body, weapons
must be inspected, and shall meet all safety and armor requirements
pertaining to the appropriate division. An Adult Boffer Marshal or a
Youth Boffer Marshal under supervision of an Adult Boffer Marshal must
do all inspections.
C. Authorization Guidelines
1. All combatants, along with a parent or legal guardian, must attend
a pre-authorization class taught by an Adult Boffer Marshal. The class
will outline the rules and guidelines found within this handbook. A
different class will be given for each division. A combatant changing
divisions will be expected to take the next appropriate class, along
with the parent/legal guardian, before authorizing in the next division.
2. Authorization cards will be given to the parent/legal guardian. Cards
must be presented to the marshal in charge or list official before any
combat begins. A wavier for full contact competition must be on file
with the marshalate secretary before an authorization card will be
issued. Authorizations are for three years, until the child moves up
to the next division, or until the child turns 18.
3. In authorizing new combatants, the Marshal shall question the combatant
on legal target areas, the amount of force necessary to deliver and
call a blow, and proper armor. The Marshal shall have the combatant
fight an authorization bout with another child of the same division if
possible. If not the Marshal may substitute an Adult Boffer or Youth
Boffer Marshal for an opponent. The child shall demonstrate the ability
to throw a blow to a legal target area safely and receive a blow properly.
4. All combatants must be authorized before participating in any
tournament or melee combat.
5. Combatants need not be authorized to participate in official fighter
practices, but the parent/ legal guardian must sign a wavier for full
contact competition.
D. Disciplinary Actions
1. The Marshal is in charge of the field. Violations of the rules of
combat, safety regulations, or other inappropriate or unsafe action will
be dealt with by the Marshallate in an appropriate way. Disciplinary
actions may include a simple caution, a warning, removal from the field,
removal from the tournament or practice, or suspension of authorization.
2. The Marshals may bar anyone who they feel is disruptive from the
vicinity of the list field. If, as a result of that action, a child has
no parent/legal guardian present, he/she cannot continue and must be
withdrawn from the tournament or practice.
3. Any action that involves removing a participant or a parent/ legal
guardian from the field , tournament, or practice, must be reported
to, and is subject to review by, the Deputy Kingdom Earl Marshal for
Youth Combat.
4. Only the Crown, the Earl Marshal, or the Deputy Kingdom Earl Marshal
for Youth Combat may suspend the authorization of a participant from
Youth combat for a specified length of time.
5. All injuries, in addition to being included in regular reporting,
must be reported by telephone or in person to the Deputy Kingdom Earl
Marshal for Youth Combat, and the Earl Marshal within 24 hours of the
injury. If none can be reached, contact the Kingdom Seneschal directly.
6. Marshals who fail to do their job or who create a dangerous situation
on the field will be subject to the same disciplinary actions as
participants and parents/legal guardians.
7. Those who wish to appeal any Marshallate actions must appeal to the
next person up in the chain of command. That chain is:
a. Marshal in charge of the field/inspecting Marshal b. Marshal
in charge of the tournament or practice c. Local Youth Combat
Marshal d. Regional Youth Combat Marshal e. Deputy Kingdom Earl
Marshal for Youth Combat g. Earl Marshal h. The Crown of Ansteorra
E. Parents/ Legal Guardians Responsibilities
1. Parents/legal guardians are to understand this is a contact sport
and that injuries may occur.
2. At least one parent/legal guardian must be present at all times while
the child is engaged in Boffer activities (official fighter practice,
tournament, melee). "Present" is defined as within visual and vocal range
of their child, and actively attentive to the Boffer activity. (Note:
This does not mean 100 yards away, but in close proximity to the Boffer
field.) The child or Marshal(s) on the field should be able to find the
parent/legal guardian immediately.
3. The parent/legal guardian present is to have the child's authorization
card in his/her possession at all times when Boffer activities (official
fighter practice, tournament, melee) are occurring.
4. Parents/legal guardians are to behave in a courteous and responsible
manner at all times.
5. Parents/legal guardians are urged to become authorized Adult Boffer
Marshals so that they can work closely with their child in this activity.
6. Parents/legal guardians are responsible for their child's safety,
with the Adult Boffer Marshals guiding the armoring/safety process.
7. Parents/legal guardians are required to read and understand these
rules and standards and are to make sure that their child follows them.
F. Training at Official Activities
1. Adults in a training situation with youth combatants are not required
to meet the armor standards outlined in the "Divisional Standards".
It is recommended that trainers wear armor appropriate to the training.
2. Parents can actively train their own children as long as there is no
forceful contact with their child.
3. Adult Boffer Marshals may train children other than their own only if
the parents/legal guardians are present and then only without forceful
contact with the child.
4. Youth combatants may train against Youth combatants in other divisions.
In inter-divisional training, the Divisional standards (weapons, armor,
and blow calibration) of the youngest combatant must be used.
5. Youth combatants may train against other Youth combatants in their
own age division.
G. Divisional Definitions
1. There shall be three (3) youth boffer divisions and 1 (one) youth
chivalric division:
a. Children's Boffer Division (Ages 6-9)
b. Youth Boffer Division (Ages 10-12) c. Teen Boffer Division
(Ages 13-15) d. Youth Chivalric Division (Ages 16-17)
2. At no time shall there be tournament or melee combat between the
different divisions.
3. The Marshalate recognizes that some children will be very small or
very large for their age. These children may, at the request of their
parents/legal guardians, and on a case-by-case basis determined by the
Kingdom Earl Marshal or Deputy Kingdom Earl Marshal for Youth Combat,
be moved up or down one division as appropriate.
4. At no time will a child under the age of 16 be allowed to participate
in the Youth Chivalric Division.
III. Divisional Standards
A. Children's Boffer Division: Age 6-9 years
1. Minimum Required Armor
a. Head - Marshalate-approved helm with face protection. Helmets
with wire facemasks from sports such as hockey and lacrosse are
acceptable. Chinstrap is required. Spacing on helm bars should
be adequate to prevent boffer from hitting face. b. Neck -
Lightweight gorget is required. Minimum of light leather.
c. Torso - Must be covered by shirt, tunic, bodice, etc. Kidney
protection is not required. Sternum and xiphoid protection is
not required. d. Arms - Long sleeves are required. Minimum of
lightweight cloth. Light gloves are required for hands. Elbow
joint protection is not required. e. Legs - Long pants, or
sweats required. Minimum of lightweight cloth. Sturdy shoes are
required. No open-toed shoes or sandals. Knee joint protection
is not required. f. Groin - Minimum protection is sports cup,
padded skirt or equivalent.
2. Recommended Armor
a. A full coif (padded) and mouthpiece are recommended.
3. Weapon Standards
a. All weapons will be made of non-reinforced foam rubber, or a
single golf tube covered with 1/2 in. of foam extending 1 1/2
in. past the end of the tube. The ends of the golf tube must
be fiber tape closed. b. No thrusting weapons will be allowed.
c. Weapons may be covered with single layer, loosely wrapped
duct tape for support. d. Only single-handed weapons (swords,
maces, axes, etc.) will be allowed. No great or two-handed
weapons. Mass weapons should have no "mass" to them. e. Basket
hilts are not required.
4. Shield Standards
a. Shields may not be used as offensive weapons. b. Materials
allowed are wood, plastic, or aluminum or equivalent. c. All
edges must be covered by tubing, leather, or foam. Pipe foam
padding is highly recommended. d. Shield shape should be
recognizable as an SCA shield. e. Shields shall be reasonable
in size proportional to combatant. f. There shall be no
projecting points, bolts, etc. Any such must be covered by a
layer of leather, close-cell foam, or several layers of duct or
fiber-reinforced strapping tape.
5. Blow Calibration
a. Touch only. Any blows that touch the opponent's body area will
be accepted. Groin shots, while legal, are to be discouraged.
b. All combatants are presumed to be wearing only a loincloth
c. Any combatant using force sufficient to bruise or injure an
opponent will, after one warning, be removed from the field.
6. Educational Goals
a. Explanation and practice in use, function, and techniques of
Youth Boffer Weapons
III. Divisional Standards
B. Youth Boffer Division: Age 10-12 years
1. Minimum Required Armor
a. Head - Marshalate-approved helm with face protection. Helmets
with wire facemasks from sports such as hockey and lacrosse
are acceptable. Chinstrap is required. Spacing on helm bars
should be adequate to prevent boffer from hitting face. A
camail, coif, or equivalent is required to prevent access
to neck or throat. b. Neck - Lightweight gorget covering the
larynx and cervical spine is required. Minimum of light leather.
c. Torso - Must be covered by shirt, tunic, bodice, etc. Kidney
protection is not required. Sternum and xiphoid protection
is not required. For females: As a girl matures, she must
also have adequate breast protection, e.g. quilted material
tunic, light leather or equivalent. d. Arms - Long sleeves are
required. Minimum of lightweight cloth. Light gloves are required
for hands. Elbow joint protection is required. Minimum of soft
elbow pads. e. Legs - Long pants, or sweats required. Minimum
of lightweight cloth. Sturdy shoes are required. No open-toed
shoes or sandals. Knee joint protection is required. Minimum of
soft knee pads. f. Groin - Minimum protection is sports cup,
padded skirt, or equivalent.
2. Recommended Armor
a.Mouthpiece is recommended. Leather or plastic half-gauntlets and
leather or plastic covered elbow and knee pads are recommended.
3. Weapon Standards
a. Schedual 40 PVC is considered the standard base material
for boffer construction. The Marshallate will consider other
equivalent materials for construction (such as CPVC, Schedual
80 PVC, or Siloflex) on a case by case basis. The standard
non-thrusting type weapon must consist of:
i. 1/2 inch I.D. PVC (schedule 40) minimum or two golf tubes
one inside the other. ii. Both ends of PVC must be capped;
ends of the golf tubes must be fiber-taped closed. iii. Two
layers of fiber-reinforced strapping tape. iv. 1/2 inch foam,
minimum, extending the striking length of the boffer to 1 1/2
inches past tip of PVC or golf tubes v. Minimum one layer duct
tape wrapped loosely.
b. All thrusting weapons must consist of the above listed
construction plus:
i. Thrusting tip - Consisting of foam and tape, loosely wrapped,
a minimum 2 1/2 inches in diameter and extending 4 inches past
PVC or golf tubes. Tip should be sturdy enough to not completely
fold over upon impact.
c. All thrusting weapons must be disassembled and inspected for
structural damage once a year. d. Only single-handed weapons
(swords, maces, axes, etc.) will be allowed. No great or
two-handed weapons. Mass weapons should have no "mass" to them.
e. Basket hilts are not required.
4. Shield Standards
a. Shields may not be used as offensive weapons. b. Materials
allowed are wood, plastic, or aluminum or equivalent. c. All
edges must be covered by tubing, leather, or foam. Pipe foam
padding is highly recommended. d. Shield shape should be
recognizable as SCA shield. e. Shields shall be reasonable in
size proportional to combatant. f. There shall be no projecting
points, bolts, etc. Any such must be covered by a layer of
leather, close-cell foam, or several layers (minimum of iv. of
duct or fiber-reinforced strapping tape.
5. Blow Calibration
a. Solid contact, no force required. Any blow that firmly connects
will be accepted. Use of force is to be discouraged. Groin
shots, while legal, are to be discouraged. b. All combatants
are presumed to be wearing a quilted coif and tunic only.
c. Any combatant using force sufficient to bruise or injure an
opponent will, after one warning, be removed from the field.
6. Educational Goals
a. Refinement of techniques in defense, accuracy, and speed.
b. Continued development in the graces of chivalric combat,
honorable conduct, and etiquette both on the field and off.
III. Divisional Standards
C. Teen Boffer Division: Age 13-15
1. Minimum Required Armor
a. Head - Marshalate-approved helm with face protection. Helmets
with wire facemasks from sports such as hockey and lacrosse are
acceptable. Chinstrap is required. Camail or coif or equivalent
is required to prevent access to neck or throat in conjunction
with gorget. b. Neck - Gorget covering the larynx and cervical
spine is required. Minimum of medium leather or equivalent.
c. Torso - Must be covered by shirt, tunic, bodice, etc. Kidney
protection is required along with rigid sternum and xiphoid
protection. Minimum medium leather backed with 1/2" closed cell
foam. Kydex, metal scale, plate etc. are acceptable. Females
must also have adequate breast protection, e.g. quilted material
tunic, light leather or equivalent. d. Arms - Long sleeves are
required. Minimum of lightweight cloth. Light gloves are required
for hands protected by basket hilts or shield baskets. Minimum
leather gauntlets required for use of two-handed weapons. Elbow
joint protection is required. Minimum elbow pads covered with
medium leather. Rollerblade or volleyball style pads with
hard plastic cup are acceptable. e. Legs - Long pants, or
sweats required. Minimum of lightweight cloth. Sturdy shoes are
required. No open-toed shoes or sandals. Knee joint protection
is required. Minimum of soft knee pads. Covered with medium
leather. Rollerblade or volleyball style pads with hard plastic
cup are acceptable. f. Groin - Minimum protection is sports
cup or rigid pubic arch protection
2. Recommended Armor
a. A mouthpiece is recommended. b. Light leather vambraces and
cuisses are recommended. c. A 16 gauge metal helm constructed
in typical SCA style is recommended.
3. Weapon Standards
a. Schedule 40 PVC is considered the standard base material
for boffer construction. The Marshallate will consider other
equivalent materials for construction (such as CPVC, Schedule
80 PVC, or Siloflex) on a case by case basis. The standard
non-thrusting type weapon must consist of:
i. 1/2 inch I.D. PVC (schedule 40) minimum or two golf tubes
one inside the other. ii. Both ends of PVC must be capped;
ends of the golf tubes must be fiber-taped closed. iii. Two
layers of fiber-reinforced strapping tape. iv. 1/2 inch foam,
minimum, extending the striking length of the boffer to 1 1/2
inches past tip of PVC or golf tubes v. Minimum one layer duct
tape wrapped loosely.
b. All single-handed thrusting weapons must consist of the above
listed construction plus: i. Thrusting tip - Consisting of foam
and tape, loosely wrapped, a minimum 2 1/2 inches in diameter
and extending 4 inches past PVC or golf tubes. Tip should be
sturdy enough to not completely fold over upon impact.
c. All thrusting weapons must be disassembled and inspected
for structural damage once a year. d. Basket hilts or the
use of gauntlets are required. e. Lanyards are required on
single-handed weapons.
f. Construction of two-handed weapons shall follow single handed
weapon guidelines with the exception of 1" PVC (Schedule 40)
used for base material. g. All two-handed, thrusting weapons
must consist of: thrusting tip - leather or rubber, covering the
last 12 inches of the PVC on the thrusting end. Foam and tape
to be a minimum 2 and 1/2 inch in diameter and extend 3 inches
past PVC. Striking tip shall also include one half split tennis
ball end or equivalent over foam on end. h. Two-handed thrusting
weapons require inspection for wear and cracks immediately before
each use. i. Size limits on two-handed weapons:
I. Spear - 8' ii. Axe - 5' iii. Glaive - 6' iv. Great
sword - 6' no more than 18" haft.
4. Shield Standards
a. Shields may not be used as offensive weapons. b. Materials
allowed are wood, plastic, or aluminum or equivalent. c. All
edges must be covered by tubing, leather, or foam. Pipe foam
padding is highly recommended. d. Shield shape should be
recognizable as SCA shield. e. Shields shall be reasonable
in size proportional to combatant. f. There shall be no
projecting points, bolts, etc. Any such must be covered by a
layer of leather, close-cell foam, or several layers of duct or
fiber-reinforced strapping tape. g. A shield basket or gauntlet
is required.
5. Blow Calibration
a. Solid, non-glancing contact. Any blow that makes solid edge
or point contact will be accepted. Use of force is still not to
be encouraged. Groin shots, while legal, are to be discouraged.
b. All combatants are presumed to be wearing mid-thigh leather
gambison and leather skullcap. c. Any combatant using force
sufficient to bruise or injure an opponent will, after one
warning, be removed from the field.
6. Educational Goals
a. Introduction to melee combat. b. Continued development in
the graces of chivalric combat, honorable conduct, and etiquette
both on the field and off.
III. Divisional Standards
D. Youth Chivalric Division: Age 16-17
The Youth Chivalric Division shall participate in tournament and melee
rattan combat as currently practiced in Ansteorra. This Division shall use
the Weapon and Armor Standards and Conventions currently in use by the
Kingdom of Ansteorra with the exceptions listed below. The Participants
Handbook lists the Weapon and Armor standards currently in use, and will
not be repeated here.
1. Minimum Required Armor
a. Standard Ansteorran minimum required armor.
2. Recommended Armor
a. Sternum and xiphoid protection is strongly recommended.
b. Cuisses are recommended.
3. Weapon Standards
a. Standard rattan weapons conventions will be followed.
b. Fiberglass spears and unpadded glaives (6'-7 1/2') will not
be allowed
4. Shield Standards
a. Standard Ansteorran conventions.
5. Blow Calibration
a. Standard Ansteorran conventions: An emphasis on calling minimum
strength blows will be taught. Any combatant using excessive
force or striking with intent to injure an opponent will, after
one warning, be removed from the field. b. Excessive force and
intent to injure rules will be strictly enforced.
6. Educational Goals
a. Continued development in the graces of chivalric combat,
honorable conduct, and etiquette both on the field and off.
Glossary
Acknowledging a blow: acting as if a real weapon had hit you
Armor inspection: having the marshal look at your armor to make sure it
follows the rules
Authorize: having a marshal make sure you are doing it right and safely
Blow: when the weapon hits you
Chivalrous manner: behaving correctly and following the rules
Combatant: the people who are fighting
Corkscrewing: walking around your opponent when he can't turn to face you
Excessive force: hitting too hard
Field of Honor: the field where you're fighting
Forbidden areas: areas of the body you're not allowed to hit-the hands,
and from the knees to the feet
Grappling: wrestling with your opponent
Helpless opponent: someone who can't defend against your weapon
Illegal target: a part of the body that is not allowed to be hit (see
forbidden areas)
Inadvertent: by mistake
Infractions: breaking the rules
Injured limb: an arm or leg that has taken a hit from a weapon
Killing blow: a hit from a weapon that might have killed you if the
weapon were real
Light leather: 4-6 oz. leather.
List Official: the person who keeps records of the fights (also called
List Mistress or List Master)
Marshal: the person in charge of the fight who keeps everything safe
and within the rules
Medium leather: 6-10 oz leather.
Melee: lots of people all fighting at once
Tournament: a series of fights that determines a winner
_____________________________________________________________
The Earl Marshal and/or the Deputy Earl Marshal for Youth Combat will
consider any "Exceptions" to these Rules and Guidelines on a Case-by-Case
basis.
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