2019 Brass Frog Rules

We're currently updating the 2020 rules, but here's a taste from last year!

Brass Frog AoA General Rules

Use of excessive or brutal force is strictly forbidden. The first offense will result in a warning. The second will result in a loss of the bout. Subsequent offenses and any offense resulting in an injury where the injured fencer is no longer able to compete will result in ejection from the event, at the discretion of the judges and tournament staff.
Prior to the start of any exchange the judging staff will ask if fencers are ready. The exchange will start when the judge calls “Fence!” The exchange will end when the judge calls “Halt!” Upon the called halt fencers must cease any aggressive actions and return to the appropriate side of the ring/piste.
Bouts are to be conducted for a maximum of three minutes. Point limits vary by weapon event.
Fencers are expected to call hits against themselves (holds true for ALL events)
Thrusts – thrusts must land point-first on target. Thrusts to the mask should be pulled to avoid injury. Thrusting in the Grand Baton event is forbidden.
Cuts (sabre) – cuts can be made with the true or the first third of the false edge. Cuts made with the flat are not valid, but will cause a halt to be called.
Slices (sabre) – slices can be made with a push or pull of the blade to the arms or head and must be of sufficient force
The back of the head is not a valid target in any event
Disarms and dropped weapons are scored as a point for the fencer retaining his/her weapon.
Leaving the ring/piste for any reason will result in a point for the opponent.
Pommel strikes, punches, kicks, elbow and knee strikes are not allowed
Grappling is not allowed.
Ignoring the directions of the judges or arguing with the judges will result first in a warning. Subsequent offenses in the same bout will result in points being granted to the opposing fencer or loss of the bout.

Brass Frog AoA Military Saber/Backsword Rules

This event will follow a standard pool format followed by direct elimination brackets

Target areas: the entire body is a valid target
No points will be awarded in the event of simultaneous actions (double hits)
Use of the offhand is allowed
Bouts are to 3 points or 3 minutes

Smallsword

1. Only valid thrusts are scoring actions.

2. Targets are broken up into Vital and Non-Vital scoring areas.

Vital areas include the Head, and Torso to the seam of the shoulder
Non-Vital areas include legs, arms, and hands

3. Clean Thrust Rule: A clean thrust to any target is an outright win

4. Double-Kill Rule: Doubles and after-blows to equal targets will result in losses for both fencers

5. Target Priority Rule: An exchange that ends in doubles or after-blows to unequal targets will result in a loss for the fencer who was struck in a vital area, and will result in a push to the fencer who struck the vital area.

6. Win Conditions

[CLEAN THRUST RULE] A fencer is awarded a WIN for a clean valid thrust to any target.

7. Push Conditions

[TARGET PRIORITY RULE] A fencer is awarded a PUSH if they land a valid thrust to a vital target while receiving a thrust to a non-vital target (regardless of sequence)

8. Loss Conditions

[CLEAN THRUST RULE] A fencer is awarded a LOSS for receiving a clean valid thrust to any target
[TARGET PRIORITY RULE] A fencer is awarded a LOSS in the event that they receive a thrust to a vital target and also land a thrust to a non-vital target (regardless of sequence)
[DOUBLE-KILL RULE] Both fencers are awarded a LOSS in the event that there is a double-hit or hit and afterblow to equal targets.

Credit goes to Toby Hall and Fechtschule NY for writing and testing the first version of these rules.

Grand Baton

This event will follow a standard pool format followed by direct elimination brackets

1. Target area: The front shin and the torso above the waist and the head - the back of the head and arms/hands are excluded.

2. Only strikes (cuts) are valid scoring actions. Slices are non-scoring as are thrusts, which are strictly forbidden.

3. Both hands must remain on the stick. Use of a hand in parrying or grabbing the opponent’s stick or body is not permitted

4. Grappling or corps-a-corps is not permitted

5. All valid hits, be they attacks or ripostes, must be delivered from a chambered position or by a full moulinet/bogen/molinello.

6. Unless a single fencer hits, only actions that arrive with priority are considered valid

7. Priority Rules:

• Priority is established when one fencer creates a valid threat by initiating an attack (simple or compound) within striking distance. The attacker may keep priority for up to two feints and an attack.

• In the event of simultaneous actions, no fencer is given priority

• An attack which has failed (missed, fallen short or been parried) no longer holds priority

• The defending fencer can obtain priority by

◦ parrying and riposting

◦ Breaking distance, causing the initial attack to fall short, and executing an attack

• A parry or single-time counter that is deemed insufficient does not gain priority for the defending fencer

• An insufficient parry/counter is one in which the initial attack still hits without changing the line of attack

• Off-target hits still have priority

• Priority will be determined by the referee, who will call the action as well as poll the judges.

8. Bouts are to 3 points or 3 minutes

Judging

Judging is probably the most contentious aspect of any event – so we’re largely going to do away it!

Fencers are expected to call hits against themselves (holds true for ALL events)
Bouts will be managed by two ‘Seconds’ who will:
Seconds have the authority to award points in the event of uncalled hits and/or rule infractions as well as settle disputes between the two fencers (the “I hit you First” issues)
ALL Fencers are expected to serve as Seconds throughout the weekend

Judging for weapons using Priority Rules

This will follow the standard classical fencing officiating conventions

Fencers are expected to call hits against themselves
The bouts will be presided over by a referee, who will call the action of the exchange, determine priority and poll the judges
Judges will each have one vote; the referee will have 1.5 votes. A minimum of 1.5 votes is needed to award a point.
Judges will watch for hits on only one fencer. Upon seeing a hit, they will raise their hand and declare “Touch” in a loud voice.

Skill/Art Points

We plan to recognize fencers who display a great deal of skill or art in their bouts, much as we have done in past years. To accomplish this, fencers will be awarded points at the end of each bout and pool. At the end of each bout, 2 points may be awarded by the Seconds or Judges. At the end of each pool, fencers will be asked to identify the two fencers in their pool who they feel displayed the highest degree of Skill/Art in their fencing. At the end of each event the two fencers with the highest number of Skill/Art points will be awarded a ribbon that can be worn the remainder of the weekend while fencing.

Seconds and fencers should keep in mind the conventions of the weapon when awarding skill/art points.

Prizes

Medals for 1st to 3rd place in each event will be awarded. Ribbons will be awarded to the two fencers with the highest number of skill/art points in each event. Gift certificates and prizes from Regenyei Armory, Kvetun Armoury, Rockwell Classical Fencing, and Purpleheart Armoury will be awarded to the fencers with the highest total number of skill/art points and the to the fencers with the highest average number of skill/art points per bout. Door prizes will also be given out over the weekend.