Classic Olympic HEMA Lightsaber
Classic and Modern Olympic Style Fencing
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Modern fencing is a collection of three combat sports, derived from classical fencing of the 19th century. This is currently the only sword-fighting discipline that participates in the Summer Olympics. Winning points are made through contact with the opponent on valid target areas. These three sports have their own rules, weapons, and gear necessary to compete in the Olympic style. These three sports are the foil, épée, and sabre. Fédération Internationale d'Escrime (FIE) is the international governing body maintaining the current rules; although the US Fencing Association (USFA) has a slightly different rule-set, they adhere to FIE standards. Classical and Olympic fencing differ in how touches are tracked. Olympic uses electronic scoring gear, while classic relies on directors and line judges to determine touches. Foil The foil is a light thrusting weapon with a maximum weight of 500 grams. Foil targets are only the opponent's torso, not the arms or legs. The foil has a small circular guard that serves to protect the hand from direct stabs. Touches are scored only with the tip; hits with the side of the blade do not register on scoring machines, and hits to off-target areas do stop action, but will not result in a touch. Only a single touch can be awarded at the end of a phrase. If both fencers land a touch within milliseconds of each other, directors use right of way to determine which fencer is awarded the touch. If the director cannot make a determination, then no point is awarded. Épée The épée is a thrusting weapon like the foil, but heavier, with a maximum weight of 775 grams. In épée, the entire body is valid target. The hand guard on the épée is a large circle that extends towards the pommel, effectively covering the hand, which is a valid target in épée. Like foil, all hits must be with the tip and not the sides of the blade. Hits with the side of the blade do not register on the electronic scoring apparatus (and do not halt the action). As the entire body is legal target, there is no concept of an off-target touch, except if the fencer accidentally strikes the floor, setting off the light and tone on the scoring apparatus. Unlike foil and sabre, épée does not use "right of way", and awards simultaneous touches to both fencers. However, if the score is tied in a match at the last point and a double touch is scored, the point is null and void. Sabre The sabre is a light cutting and thrusting weapon that targets the entire body above the waist, except the weapon hand. Saber is the newest weapon to be added to the Olympics. Like the foil, the maximum legal weight of a sabre is 500 grams. The hand guard on the sabre extends from hilt to the point at which the blade connects to the pommel. This guard is generally turned outwards during sport to protect the sword arm from touches. Hits with the entire blade or point are valid. As in foil, touches that land outside the target area are not scored. However, unlike foil, these off-target touches do not stop the action, and the fencing continues. In the case of both fencers landing a scoring touch, the referee determines which fencer receives the point for the action, again through the use of right of way. Protective Gear Light jacket, plastron, glove, breeches, socks, shoes, mask, chest protector (women required, men optional), and for Olympic style, lamé (thin electronic conductive material worn over target areas in foil and sabre). |
Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA)
Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) refers to martial arts developed in Europe, especially during the medieval through Renaissance periods. Several modes of armed combat developed during these time periods and often found themselves being used against other forms in battles and duels. The modes of combat we offer instruction and sparring for are: longsword (synthetic and steel), rapier, saber, smallsword, singlestick, and sword and buckler. There are additional protective gear requirements in HEMA as safety is a paramount concern in these events.
Longsword
Any weapon that may reasonably classified as a longsword, however, blade length cannot exceed 40" from the guard. Most tournaments have their own designation of types of allowable weapons. Most hilts have a hand and a half length to allow two handed use. Extra hand protection is required for this event.
Rapier
All weapons must reasonably be classified as a rapier. The blade may not be longer than 43" from the guard. Triangular blades are not permitted in rapier. You may have any device considered historically reasonable to have been used with the rapier, such as dagger, second rapier, buckler, cape, or mug. Each tournament or event will have their own rule-set. Daggers usually cannot exceed 20" from the guard and must have been created as a fencing dagger. Bucklers only - no rotellas or other battlefield type shields. One is not required to use an offhand device, and usually results in an opponent having a score disadvantage.
Saber (Dueling Saber)
All weapons reasonably classified as a saber. The blade may not be longer than 34" from the guard. These are heavy dueling grade sabers and Olympic style sabres are not permitted. Trooper, Heavy/Dueling, or officer sabers are utilized in this category.
Small Sword
All weapons reasonably classified as a small sword. The blade may not be longer than 32" from the guard. All blades must be triangular in shape, however, Colichmarde blades are permissible. Small sword is a thrust only weapon for touch scoring purposes.
Single Stick
All weapons must be reasonably considered a single stick. Length of blade is not to exceed 34" from the guard. Leather or plastic guards are allowed. Rattan sticks are the only permitted wood.
Sword and Buckler
All weapons must be reasonably considered a side sword or arming sword and paired with a buckler that measures no more than 18" in diameter. The side sword may not exceed 33" from the guard.
Each event has protective gear requirements, scoring zones, and target points that differ from tournament to tournament. We will endeavor to update HEMA rules, but they are consistently changing. This Academy will research upcoming events and ensure all members have a clear idea of what is necessary and practice rule sets prior to any indivuidual leaving for a tournament.
Protective Gear
Gambeson (heavy jacket), Helmet, Back of head protection, Gorget, Heavy dueling gloves, elbow and knee guards, breeches/knickers, socks, and shoes. No exposed skin!
Optional/Highly recommended:
Thigh pads, shin protection, chest protector, forearm guards
Longsword
Any weapon that may reasonably classified as a longsword, however, blade length cannot exceed 40" from the guard. Most tournaments have their own designation of types of allowable weapons. Most hilts have a hand and a half length to allow two handed use. Extra hand protection is required for this event.
Rapier
All weapons must reasonably be classified as a rapier. The blade may not be longer than 43" from the guard. Triangular blades are not permitted in rapier. You may have any device considered historically reasonable to have been used with the rapier, such as dagger, second rapier, buckler, cape, or mug. Each tournament or event will have their own rule-set. Daggers usually cannot exceed 20" from the guard and must have been created as a fencing dagger. Bucklers only - no rotellas or other battlefield type shields. One is not required to use an offhand device, and usually results in an opponent having a score disadvantage.
Saber (Dueling Saber)
All weapons reasonably classified as a saber. The blade may not be longer than 34" from the guard. These are heavy dueling grade sabers and Olympic style sabres are not permitted. Trooper, Heavy/Dueling, or officer sabers are utilized in this category.
Small Sword
All weapons reasonably classified as a small sword. The blade may not be longer than 32" from the guard. All blades must be triangular in shape, however, Colichmarde blades are permissible. Small sword is a thrust only weapon for touch scoring purposes.
Single Stick
All weapons must be reasonably considered a single stick. Length of blade is not to exceed 34" from the guard. Leather or plastic guards are allowed. Rattan sticks are the only permitted wood.
Sword and Buckler
All weapons must be reasonably considered a side sword or arming sword and paired with a buckler that measures no more than 18" in diameter. The side sword may not exceed 33" from the guard.
Each event has protective gear requirements, scoring zones, and target points that differ from tournament to tournament. We will endeavor to update HEMA rules, but they are consistently changing. This Academy will research upcoming events and ensure all members have a clear idea of what is necessary and practice rule sets prior to any indivuidual leaving for a tournament.
Protective Gear
Gambeson (heavy jacket), Helmet, Back of head protection, Gorget, Heavy dueling gloves, elbow and knee guards, breeches/knickers, socks, and shoes. No exposed skin!
Optional/Highly recommended:
Thigh pads, shin protection, chest protector, forearm guards
Lightsaber
Call it a lightsaber, energy sword, plasma blade, whatever. This is the light up stick that you can't wait for the vroom noises to call you into the fight against your opponent. Our Academy will be using The Saber Legion (TSL) fighting rule set as a basis and guide. The Academy does host the TSL Nebraska Charter: The Knights of Bendu, but membership to the TSL is not a requirement for training, practice, and sparring. TSL membership is only required if you choose to participate in official TSL events.
http://saberlegion.org/
There are two weapon categories in lightsaber: Standard and Exotic. All rules and required gear is covered in the following link:
http://saberlegion.org/assets/resources/TSL-Tournament-Rules-4.pdf
http://saberlegion.org/
There are two weapon categories in lightsaber: Standard and Exotic. All rules and required gear is covered in the following link:
http://saberlegion.org/assets/resources/TSL-Tournament-Rules-4.pdf