Shield Hand Protection (2024)
Specific Rules for Hand and Wrist Armor (click for details)
Specific Rules for Hand and Wrist Armor (click for details)
F. Hand and Wrist Armor:
F. Hand and Wrist Armor:
The outer surfaces of the hand, to one inch above the wrist of both arms and including
The outer surfaces of the hand, to one inch above the wrist of both arms and including
the thumb, must be covered by one or a combination of the following:
the thumb, must be covered by one or a combination of the following:
1. A rigid basket or cup hilt with enough bars or plates to prevent a blow from striking
1. A rigid basket or cup hilt with enough bars or plates to prevent a blow from striking
the fingers or the back of the hand. If a basket or cup hilt, shield basket, or centergrip shield is used, a vambrace and or partial gauntlet shall cover the remaining
the fingers or the back of the hand. If a basket or cup hilt, shield basket, or centergrip shield is used, a vambrace and or partial gauntlet shall cover the remaining
exposed portions of the hand and wrist.
exposed portions of the hand and wrist.
2. A gauntlet of rigid material either lined with .25 inch (6 mm) of closed-cell foam or
2. A gauntlet of rigid material either lined with .25 inch (6 mm) of closed-cell foam or
equivalent or designed to transfer potentially injurious impact to the surfaces being
equivalent or designed to transfer potentially injurious impact to the surfaces being
grasped.
grasped.
3. A gauntlet of heavy leather lined with .5 inch (12 mm) of closed-cell foam or heavy
3. A gauntlet of heavy leather lined with .5 inch (12 mm) of closed-cell foam or heavy
padding. (Note: An ice hockey glove is considered to be the equivalent, but looks
padding. (Note: An ice hockey glove is considered to be the equivalent, but looks
blatantly modern; their use is discouraged.) Street hockey gloves are NOT
blatantly modern; their use is discouraged.) Street hockey gloves are NOT
equivalent, as the padding is lighter than a regular ice hockey glove. Street hockey
equivalent, as the padding is lighter than a regular ice hockey glove. Street hockey
gloves and similarly padded gloves will be treated only as padding.
gloves and similarly padded gloves will be treated only as padding.
4. A Side Strapped Shield with a shield basket or equivalent.
4. A Side Strapped Shield with a shield basket or equivalent.
5. A shield alone is NOT sufficient, since it covers the back of the hand, but not the
5. A shield alone is NOT sufficient, since it covers the back of the hand, but not the
fingers, thumb, or wrist. However, a Side Strapped Shield alone may be considered
fingers, thumb, or wrist. However, a Side Strapped Shield alone may be considered
an equivalent to full hand protection only if no part of the hand or wrist is within 4
an equivalent to full hand protection only if no part of the hand or wrist is within 4
inches (10.2 cm) of the edge of the shield while the shield is in use.
inches (10.2 cm) of the edge of the shield while the shield is in use.
What MUST be covered
What MUST be covered
The outer surfaces of the hand, to one inch above the wrist of both arms and including the thumb, must be covered. This is the area shown in the first picture in Red. This includes the back of the entire hand, back of all fingers, back of the thumb and the wrist all around and 1" up from there.
The outer surfaces of the hand, to one inch above the wrist of both arms and including the thumb, must be covered. This is the area shown in the first picture in Red. This includes the back of the entire hand, back of all fingers, back of the thumb and the wrist all around and 1" up from there.
This method alone DOES NOT meet the standard
This method alone DOES NOT meet the standard
A demi-gauntlet and perhaps a thin glove. We can see the red area of the thumb and finger tips is still exposed with this method. See Pic #2a-2b
A demi-gauntlet and perhaps a thin glove. We can see the red area of the thumb and finger tips is still exposed with this method. See Pic #2a-2b
Some examples of how to achieve protection with center-grip shields
Some examples of how to achieve protection with center-grip shields
Here is the blatantly modern Hockey Glove that while meeting the standard is discouraged. That being said, we all have a budget and a crafting skill set and if this is what gets you on the field safely, it's legal. Come out and play!
Here is the blatantly modern Hockey Glove that while meeting the standard is discouraged. That being said, we all have a budget and a crafting skill set and if this is what gets you on the field safely, it's legal. Come out and play!
Here we see a demi-gauntlet with an added plate of thumb protection and a finger tip plate(this example has not been padded yet). These can be rigid material either lined with .25 inch (6 mm) of closed-cell foam or equivalent. OR heavy leather lined with .5 inch (12 mm) of closed-cell foam or heavy padding. In this example ABS was used but there are other options for either method in the Armored Combat Handbook, Glossary section A. Armor Materials. Heavy Leather and Rigid Material.
Here we see a demi-gauntlet with an added plate of thumb protection and a finger tip plate(this example has not been padded yet). These can be rigid material either lined with .25 inch (6 mm) of closed-cell foam or equivalent. OR heavy leather lined with .5 inch (12 mm) of closed-cell foam or heavy padding. In this example ABS was used but there are other options for either method in the Armored Combat Handbook, Glossary section A. Armor Materials. Heavy Leather and Rigid Material.
An attached plate to the shield itself. It is Rigid material, ABS in this case (Again see Glossary for alternatives). This plate has enough coverage to prevent getting a direct strike to your fingers or your thumb and could possibly save you from a fracture.
An attached plate to the shield itself. It is Rigid material, ABS in this case (Again see Glossary for alternatives). This plate has enough coverage to prevent getting a direct strike to your fingers or your thumb and could possibly save you from a fracture.
Additioinal method not pictured: attaching a cuff or sleeve made out of heavy leather lined with .5 inch (12 mm) of closed-cell foam or heavy padding to the shield that you would place your whole hand and wrist into and tighten over your wrist to completely cover the required area.
Additioinal method not pictured: attaching a cuff or sleeve made out of heavy leather lined with .5 inch (12 mm) of closed-cell foam or heavy padding to the shield that you would place your whole hand and wrist into and tighten over your wrist to completely cover the required area.