Rules of the “Sword & Shield” Category

1. Bout Format

Bouts are held in the “Sword & Shield” category.
A bout is fought to 10 points.

In the event of a tied bout in the “Sword & Shield” category, where both fighters score the same number of points, an extra round shall be held and fought to 3 points.

A bout may be stopped by the Head Marshal or the judges in the following cases:

• a clinch lasting more than five seconds;

• a prohibited action committed by one of the fighters;

• a fighter falling onto three points of support;

• a fighter losing their weapon;

• a fighter stepping outside the lists;

• breakage of a weapon or equipment;

• injury to one of the fighters.

2. Target Zones in the “Sword & Shield” Category

There are two scoring target zones in the “Sword & Shield” category.

Zone No. 1 — 2 points are awarded for a successful hit to this zone:

• Head

• Neck

• Torso (above the waist)

Zone No. 2 — 1 point is awarded for a successful hit to this zone:

• Hand of the weapon-bearing arm

• Forearm, upper arm

• Elbow

• Thigh down to the knee, knee, shin

3.1. Strikes to the following areas are prohibited:

• Base of the skull

• Groin

• Feet and ankle joint

3. Non-Scoring Strikes

The following strikes shall not be counted:

• strikes delivered with the flat of the blade;

• strikes delivered through the opponent’s shield or sword;

• strikes delivered to hanging or loose parts of the armour;

• glancing strikes to the helmet, vambrace, or shoulder of the athlete;

• weak strikes;

• cutting or slicing strikes.

4. Prohibited Actions

5.1. Actions resulting in a stoppage of the bout

• Stepping outside the lists with both feet

• Loss of weapon

5.2. Actions that create an unfair personal advantage through violation of the rules or through actual or potential injury to the opponent, as well as breaches of competition protocol and ethics

• Thrusting attacks

• Strikes with the edge of the shield to the opponent’s target area

• Strikes with the pommel or guard

• Strikes to non-target areas

• Hand-to-hand combat techniques and wrestling

• Trips, sweeps, or pinning the opponent’s foot with one’s own foot
  (If a fighter stumbles over the opponent’s stationary leg, this shall not be considered a trip.)

• Attacking an opponent who has fallen or lost their weapon

• Continuing the fight after the command “Stop”

• Deliberately presenting a non-target area to receive a blow

• Intentionally forcing the opponent out of bounds; repeated shield shoves without weapon strikes

• Grasping or holding the opponent’s weapon with the non-weapon hand by grabbing it or pinning the striking part of the opponent’s blade against the body
  In the “Sword & Shield” category, active control of the opponent’s weapon arm is permitted, provided there is no direct contact with the weapon itself.

• Arguing with the marshal team during the bout

• Any obscene or offensive language

• Breakage of equipment (except for the rondel protecting the neck and sabatons)

• Falling in the lists during the bout

5. Penalties

5.3.1.

For committing the actions specified in Clause 5.1, the fighter receives a Remark.

No more than two Remarks may be issued to the same fighter during one bout.
A third Remark shall be treated as a Warning.

5.3.2.

For committing the actions specified in Clause 5.2, the fighter receives a Warning, and the following penalties apply:

• First Warning — minus 1 point from the fighter’s score in the current bout

• Second Warning — minus 2 points from the fighter’s score in the current bout

• Third Warning — a fighter who receives three Warnings in one bout shall be Disqualified and recorded as having lost that bout

In the event of a simultaneous mutual violation (for example, both fighters grabbing each other’s weapons at the same time), the Marshal may apply one of the following at their discretion:

• mutual penalty points;

• continuation of the bout without penalty;

• verbal sanction;

• or another appropriate measure.

Immediate disqualification

Immediate disqualification (upon the first offence) applies in the following cases:

• injuring the opponent through a prohibited action or technique;

• striking a fallen opponent;

• insulting the opponent or the judges.

If a fighter receives two Disqualifications within one category, they lose the right to continue participating in the competition and are removed from the tournament bracket.

* No Remark shall be issued for breakage of the attacking weapon (sword, sabre, falchion, etc.).

5.3.3.

Any prohibited action may be recognized as such only if it has been observed and recorded by the judges or the Head Marshal.

* Strikes to a non-target area resulting from a ricochet or a slide off the opponent’s shield or weapon shall not be considered a violation.

6. Permitted Actions

• Cleaving strikes to valid target zones

• Strikes with the flat of the shield (including with the boss or buckler) to the head, torso, arms, or shield of the opponent

• Strikes with the edge of the shield to the opponent’s shield

• Passive blocking or presenting with the shield and sword in the forearm line

• Shoulder pushes into the opponent’s shield or body

• Hooking the opponent’s sword pommel with the edge of the shield, and vice versa

7. Effective Strike

An effective strike is defined as contact of the sharpened edge of the blade with the opponent, where the majority of the strike’s energy is absorbed by the opponent’s body at the point of impact.

The following shall not be counted:

• a weak strike delivered merely as a marking or demonstrative touch, even if it nominally reaches the armour surface;

• a sliding hit with the tip of the blade along hanging mail or the edge of the armour;

• a grazing strike delivered along a tangential trajectory;

• a strike with the flat of the blade;

• a strike whose energy is substantially absorbed by the opponent’s weapon or shield (including one that glances off the shield or blade);

• “sewing machine” strikes — multiple strikes to one area without a backswing of at least 90 degrees.

8. Weapons

Bouts are conducted using steel weapon simulators.

Blade

• The blade (from the crossguard to the tip) must be 700 to 900 mm in length

• Weight of the weapon model: 1300 to 1800 g

• The blade edge must be rounded and have a thickness of 1.5 to 3 mm

• Blade tips must have a rounded end with a diameter of at least 15 mm

• For sabres — at least 10 mm

9. Shield Specifications

• The shield may have any grip type and any shape within the framework of existing historical analogues

• The diameter of a round shield must not exceed 70 cm

• The dimensions of triangular, teardrop-shaped, and rectangular shields must not exceed:

  • length — 75 cm

  • width — 60 cm

• The shield must be made of plywood or wooden boards with a thickness of at least 8 mm

• A shield may also be made of steel with a thickness of at least 2 mm

• Wooden shields must have the edge covered with a leather strip (minimum leather thickness — 3 mm) or be reinforced with several layers of dense fabric

• The rim of both wooden and metal shields must be at least 8 mm thick

• The rim of the shield must be free of sharp elements, notches, or chips

• The outer surface of a wooden shield must be covered with leather or fabric and painted

• The use of heraldic symbols or ornamental elements matching the rest of the fighter’s equipment on the outer surface of the shield is encouraged

• Shield material: plywood

• Handles on centre-grip shields must be made exclusively of leather

Attention! Steel rims on heraldic and round shields are prohibited.

10. Protective Equipment

Hand protection

Any construction of gloves, mittens, gauntlets, or fist protection is permitted.

Neck protection

Neck protection must include:

• a shock-absorbing layer: felt or a quilted collar on the inside;

• and a rigid outer part: standing mail collar, metal, mail coif, or hardened leather.

* Neck protection is mandatory.
A fighter with insufficient neck protection, or without neck protection, shall not be admitted to the tournament.

Helmets

• Only metal helmets are permitted

• The helmet must ensure the safety of the fighter

• Shock-absorbing suspension or padding is mandatory

• Protection of the face, back of the head, and neck is mandatory

* Helmets that leave the face unprotected are prohibited.
The thickness of the metal in the main part of the helmet must be at least 1.5 mm.

Arm, torso, and leg protection

Any protection of the arms, torso, and legs is permitted, provided the following requirements are met:

• reliability;

• presence of a shock-absorbing base layer;

• presence of an under-shield quilted glove.

The outer (visible) part must be made of metal, leather, felt, or any other authentic material and must provide reliable protection.

Groin protection

Groin protection is mandatory for all fighters, regardless of sex.

Armour base

Armour over a quilted base layer is mandatory.

Footwear

Historical leather footwear is mandatory.
Any modern footwear is prohibited, even if sabatons are worn.

Cossack boots, military boots, combat boots, and any sports footwear are prohibited.

11. Bout Allocation and Tournament System

11.1.

Groups are formed by the Head Marshal of the tournament or by draw, at the discretion of the tournament organizers.

11.2.

The competition is held in three stages:

• qualification stage;

• semi-final stage;

• final group.

11.3. Qualification groups

Fighters whose applications to the category have been confirmed are divided by the Head Marshal, at the Head Marshal’s discretion, into qualification groups of 4, 5, 6, or 7 persons, depending on the total number of fighters.

11.4. Semi-final groups

Fighters who place 1st and 2nd in the qualification groups form the semi-final groups.

11.5. Final group

Fighters who place 1st and 2nd in the semi-final groups form the final group.

11.6.

Within each group, every fighter competes against all other participants in that group.

11.7.

If an extra round is held, the bout result shall be recorded as 10:9.

11.8. Ranking system for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in groups of all levels

The same ranking system applies at all levels.

Primary criterion:

• number of victories.

Additional criterion, level 1:

• if the number of victories is equal, the result of the direct bout between the fighters is considered; the winner of that direct bout takes the higher position.

Additional criterion, level 2:

• total number of points scored by the fighter in the group.

Additional criterion, level 3:

• if the number of victories and points is equal, and it is impossible to determine the ranking based on direct encounters, additional bouts shall be назначені.

11.9.

At the discretion of the organizers, the category may be divided into the Major League and the Premier League.

The fighters placing 1st and 2nd in a group advance to the Major League of the category.
The remaining places advance to the Premier League, where a separate tournament is held with its own prize placements.

12. Appeal Procedure

12.1.

In the event of a reasoned disagreement with the decision of the judging panel, a fighter or the fighter’s representative may file a protest.
A protest must be submitted within 5 minutes after the result of that bout is announced.

12.2.

A protest may be submitted in writing or orally in free form.
Mandatory conditions for filing a protest are:

• justification of the protest based on these rules;

• availability of video footage of the bout clearly showing the relevant moment.

12.3.

A protest must be reviewed within a maximum of 10 minutes.
At the end of this period, the appeal commission must issue its decision.

12.4. Composition of the appeal commission

The minimum composition of the commission for reviewing appeals in the qualification and semi-final groups is:

• 2 side judges;

• the Head Marshal.

The minimum composition of the appeal commission in the final group is:

• 2 side judges;

• the Head Marshal;

• a representative of the tournament organizing committee.

12.5.

If the members of the appeal commission are divided in their opinions regarding the protest, the final decision shall be made by the Head Marshal of the tournament.

12.6.

The number of possible protests is limited.
Only one appeal per category is permitted.

Important! The organizers are not obliged to provide video recordings.

Rules of the “Sword & Shield” / Adaptive Category

1. Bout Format

Bouts are held in the “Sword & Shield” category using soft equipment.
A bout is fought to 10 points.

In the event of a tied bout in the “Sword & Shield” category, where both fighters score the same number of points, an extra round shall be held and fought to 3 points.

Principle of Equalized Capability (Adaptive Bouts)

• if a fighter is able to use only one arm, capabilities shall be equalized and both fighters shall fight using one arm;

• if a fighter is able to fight while seated, both fighters shall fight in that format;

• the bout format shall be determined by the judge / Head Marshal before the start of the bout.

A bout may be stopped by the Head Marshal or the judges in the following cases:

• a clinch lasting more than five seconds;

• a prohibited action committed by one of the fighters;

• a fighter falling onto three points of support;

• a fighter losing their weapon;

• a fighter stepping outside the lists;

• breakage of a weapon or equipment;

• injury to one of the fighters.

2. Target Zones in the “Sword & Shield” Category

There are two scoring target zones in the “Sword & Shield” category.

Zone No. 1 — 2 points are awarded for a successful hit to this zone:

• Head

• Neck

• Torso (above the waist)

Zone No. 2 — 1 point is awarded for a successful hit to this zone:

• Hand of the weapon-bearing arm

• Forearm, upper arm

• Elbow

• Thigh down to the knee, knee, shin

3.1. Strikes to the following areas are prohibited:

• Base of the skull

• Groin

• Feet and ankle joint

3. Non-Scoring Strikes

The following strikes shall not be counted:

• strikes delivered with the flat of the sword;

• strikes delivered through the opponent’s shield or sword;

• strikes delivered to hanging or loose parts of the armour;

• glancing strikes to the helmet, vambrace, or shoulder of the athlete;

• weak strikes;

• cutting or slicing strikes.

4. Prohibited Actions

5.1. Actions resulting in a stoppage of the bout

• Stepping outside the lists with both feet

• Loss of weapon

5.2. Actions that create an unfair personal advantage through violation of the rules or through actual or potential injury to the opponent, as well as breaches of competition protocol and ethics

• Thrusting attacks

• Strikes with the edge of the shield to the opponent’s target area

• Strikes with the pommel or guard

• Strikes to non-target areas

• Hand-to-hand combat techniques and wrestling

• Trips, sweeps, or pinning the opponent’s foot with one’s own foot
  (If a fighter stumbles over the opponent’s stationary leg, this shall not be considered a trip.)

• Attacking an opponent who has fallen or lost their weapon

• Continuing the fight after the command “Stop”

• Deliberately presenting a non-target area to receive a blow

• Intentionally forcing the opponent out of bounds; repeated shield shoves without weapon strikes

• Grasping or holding the opponent’s weapon with the non-weapon hand by grabbing it or pinning the striking part of the opponent’s blade against the body
  In the “Sword & Shield” category, active control of the opponent’s weapon arm is permitted, provided there is no direct contact with the weapon itself.

• Arguing with the marshal team during the bout

• Any obscene or offensive language

• Breakage of equipment (except for the rondel protecting the neck and sabatons)

• Falling in the lists during the bout

5. Penalties

5.3.1.

For committing the actions specified in Clause 5.1, the fighter receives a Remark.

No more than two Remarks may be issued to the same fighter during one bout.
A third Remark shall be treated as a Warning.

5.3.2.

For committing the actions specified in Clause 5.2, the fighter receives a Warning, and the following penalties apply:

• First Warning — minus 1 point from the fighter’s score in the current bout

• Second Warning — minus 2 points from the fighter’s score in the current bout

• Third Warning — a fighter who receives three Warnings in one bout shall be Disqualified and recorded as having lost that bout

In the event of a simultaneous mutual violation (for example, both fighters grabbing each other’s weapons at the same time), the Marshal may apply one of the following at their discretion:

• mutual penalty points;

• continuation of the bout without penalty;

• verbal sanction;

• or another appropriate measure.

Immediate disqualification

Immediate disqualification (upon the first offence) applies in the following cases:

• injuring the opponent through a prohibited action or technique;

• striking a fallen opponent;

• insulting the opponent or the judges.

If a fighter receives two Disqualifications within one category, they lose the right to continue participating in the competition and are removed from the tournament bracket.

* No Remark shall be issued for breakage of the attacking weapon (sword, sabre, falchion, etc.).

5.3.3.

Any prohibited action may be recognized as such only if it has been observed and recorded by the judges or the Head Marshal.

* Strikes to a non-target area resulting from a ricochet or a slide off the opponent’s shield or weapon shall not be considered a violation.

6. Permitted Actions

• Cleaving strikes to valid target zones

• Strikes with the flat of the shield (including with the boss or buckler) to the head, torso, arms, or shield of the opponent

• Strikes with the edge of the shield to the opponent’s shield

• Passive blocking or presenting with the shield and sword in the forearm line

• Shoulder pushes into the opponent’s shield or body

• Hooking the opponent’s sword pommel with the edge of the shield, and vice versa

7. Effective Strike

An effective strike is defined as contact of the striking part of the soft blade / soft weapon simulator with the opponent, where the majority of the strike’s energy is absorbed by the opponent’s body at the point of impact.

The following shall not be counted:

• a weak strike delivered merely as a marking or demonstrative touch, even if it nominally reaches the armour surface;

• a sliding hit with the tip of the blade along hanging mail or the edge of the armour;

• a grazing strike delivered along a tangential trajectory;

• a strike with the flat;

• a strike whose energy is substantially absorbed by the opponent’s weapon or shield (including one that glances off the shield or blade);

• “sewing machine” strikes — multiple strikes to one area without a backswing of at least 90 degrees.

8. Weapons

Bouts are conducted using soft weapon simulators.

Blade

A soft blade (sword / sabre / falchion in soft format) must be made of safe shock-absorbing materials and designed for contact bouts.

• The tip must be soft and cushioned

• Soft weapons may not contain any additional heavy or concealed parts, inserts, or elements that increase the mass, rigidity, or inertia of the strike

• The use of metal, weighted, or rigid inserts in the construction of the blade, tip, or striking part of the weapon is prohibited

• The core (base) of the soft weapon must be flexible and safe, and the striking part must have a sufficient cushioning layer along its full length

• Any construction that may increase rigidity, concentrate impact force, or create a risk of injury to the opponent is not permitted

In the event of doubt regarding the safety of the weapon or its compliance with the regulations, the Head Marshal or the technical commission has the right to prohibit the use of that weapon in the bout.

9. Shield Specifications

• The shield may have any grip type and any shape within the framework of existing historical analogues

• The diameter of a round shield must not exceed 70 cm

• The dimensions of triangular, teardrop-shaped, and rectangular shields must not exceed:

  • length — 75 cm

  • width — 60 cm

• In this category, the shield must be made of soft / safe materials or combined materials with mandatory cushioning of both the rim and the frontal surface

10. Protective Equipment

• The helmet must ensure the safety of the fighter

• Shock-absorbing suspension or padding is mandatory, as well as protection of the face, back of the head, and neck

• The helmet must have a rigid face mask (face protection)

• Helmets that leave the face unprotected are prohibited

• The use of plastic or brittle elements in face protection is not permitted

Any protection of the arms, torso, and legs is permitted, provided the following requirements are met:

• reliability;

• presence of a shock-absorbing base layer;

• presence of an under-shield quilted glove.

Groin protection (cup) is mandatory for all fighters, regardless of sex.

Additional requirements for protective equipment

• the equipment must protect all parts of the body;

• it may leave the feet uncovered;

• it must protect all joints (shoulders, elbows, knees);

• approval of the equipment shall be carried out by the Head Marshal or the technical commission prior to admission to the bout.

If soft equipment (weapons, shields, or protective gear) is provided by the organizers, it shall be deemed compliant with the requirements of these regulations.

11. Bout Allocation and Tournament System

11.1.

Groups are formed by the Head Marshal of the tournament or by draw, at the discretion of the tournament organizers.

11.2.

The competition is held in three stages:

• qualification stage;

• semi-final stage;

• final group.

11.3. Qualification groups

Fighters whose applications to the category have been confirmed are divided by the Head Marshal, at the Head Marshal’s discretion, into qualification groups of 4, 5, 6, or 7 persons, depending on the total number of fighters.

11.4. Semi-final groups

Fighters who place 1st and 2nd in the qualification groups form the semi-final groups.

11.5. Final group

Fighters who place 1st and 2nd in the semi-final groups form the final group.

11.6.

Within each group, every fighter competes against all other participants in that group.

11.7.

If an extra round is held, the bout result shall be recorded as 10:9.

11.8. Ranking system for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in groups of all levels

The same ranking system applies at all levels.

Primary criterion:

• number of victories.

Additional criterion, level 1:

• if the number of victories is equal, the result of the direct bout between the fighters is considered; the winner of that direct bout takes the higher position.

Additional criterion, level 2:

• total number of points scored by the fighter in the group.

Additional criterion, level 3:

• if the number of victories and points is equal, and it is impossible to determine the ranking based on direct encounters, additional bouts shall be held.

11.9.

At the discretion of the organizers, the category may be divided into the Major League and the Premier League.

The fighters placing 1st and 2nd in a group advance to the Major League of the category.
The remaining places advance to the Premier League, where a separate tournament is held with its own prize placements.

12. Appeal Procedure

12.1.

In the event of a reasoned disagreement with the decision of the judging panel, a fighter or the fighter’s representative may file a protest.
A protest must be submitted within 5 minutes after the result of that bout is announced.

12.2.

A protest may be submitted in writing or orally in free form.
Mandatory conditions for filing a protest are:

• justification of the protest based on these rules;

• availability of video footage of the bout clearly showing the relevant moment.

12.3.

A protest must be reviewed within a maximum of 10 minutes.
At the end of this period, the appeal commission must issue its decision.

12.4. Composition of the appeal commission

The minimum composition of the commission for reviewing appeals in the qualification and semi-final groups is:

• 2 side judges;

• the Head Marshal.

The minimum composition of the appeal commission in the final group is:

• 2 side judges;

• the Head Marshal;

• a representative of the tournament organizing committee.

12.5.

If the members of the appeal commission are divided in their opinions regarding the protest, the final decision shall be made by the Head Marshal of the tournament.

12.6.

The number of possible protests is limited.
Only one appeal per category is permitted.

Important! The organizers are not obliged to provide video recordings.