Singlestick Fencing, Bolo Fencing, and Padded Stick Fighting Rule Set

 

November 30, 2024 Cavite Esgrimistas Gathering

Rule Sets

 



 Padded Stick Hard Contact Sparring

 Description

This competition format is characterized by two escrima players sparring using padded sticks and protective gear. Both try to outmaneuver the other by gaining a clear attack or counter-attack without being hit. The fight continues unless stopped by the referee.

 


 Duration of the Bout

 The match consists of three rounds of 2 minutes with 1-minute rest intervals.

 

Equipment and Protective Gear

A padded stick with a length of 30 inches, one inch thick will be used.

Players are required to wear protective gear provided by the organizers. This includes a head/face mask, body vest, arms and hands protective gear, and knee and shin protective gear.

Competitors are encouraged to bring their protective gear and submit it for inspection by the organizing committee.

 

 Legal Targets and Attacks

 Valid Attacks

          Suspended strike – a kind of attack with the stick in which it stays on the targeted area.

          Swing strike  – an attack with the stick with follow-through.

          Flip strike  – a kind of attacking with the stick using quick snap movement.

          Linear thrust  – any thrust with the stick directed toward the target following a linear pattern.

          Butting – an attack on the opponent using the bottom-end part of the stick from the gripping area.

 

Valid Target Areas

                             Head

                             Face

                             Sides of the face

                             Front trunk

                             Sides of the trunk

                             Upper leg

                             Lower leg

                             Arm

                             Hand

 

Scoring System

3 Points – for landing a valid attack or counter-attack to the opponent’s face/head area

                   without being hit or countered.

 

-          For disarming the opponent without being hit or countered.

 

2 Points – for landing a valid attack or counter-attack to the opponent’s trunk without being

                  hit or countered.

 

-           A clear attack or counter-attack to the opponent’s weapon arm.

-       A clear and safely executed butting to the face area.

 

1 Point – for landing a valid attack or counter-attack to the opponent’s limb without being hit

                 or countered.

 

-          for landing a decisive attack or counter-attack during the double hits, such as the

                    advantage of striking area (e.g.  a headshot will be given a point rather than limb

                    shoot)

               

-    for landing a decisive attack or counter-attack in an afterblow situation (e.g. a headshot afterblow will be given a score than the leg shot done first)

 

-          given to the opponent when one accidentally drops the weapon during the bout

 

-          weak attack to the head/face area

 

 

0 Point – for double hits (e.g. head-to-head) even one fighter landed an attack ahead of

                 the opponent in a fraction of a second.

 

-          Any attacks or counter-attacks delivered outside the fighting area.

 

 Criteria for Scoring

 

Focus - focusing on the target without turning away the face during the delivery of the attack or counter-attack.

 

Vigorous Execution - all attacks or counter-attacks must be delivered with vigor.

 

Self-Preservation Awareness - fighters must demonstrate awareness of the potential of the opponent’s ability to attack, counter-attack, or deliver an afterblow even being hit, he/she must always be ready to parry, evade, or even control the opponent’s response after the clash.

 

Good Form - an attack or counter-attack must be delivered with good form, balance, good timing, and proper mechanics based on the science and tradition of stick fighting.

 

Fair Play (Sportsmanship) - all attacks or counter-attacks must be delivered to earn points, fighters must be conscious of his/her safety and the safety of the opponent; respect the calls and decisions of Technical Officials even contrary to their view.

 

To Hit and Not to be Hit – attacks or counter-attacks that will land on the opponent and not be countered will gain a certain point, double hits more often do not score. Judges will evaluate each clash before judging for giving point/points

 

Prohibitions and Penalties

 

Minor Violations

                                           Stepping out of bound (Exit)

                                           Prolonged clenching/grabbing

                                           Purposeless grabbing

                                           Delaying time

                                           Turning back from the opponent during the bout

Major Violations

                                           Kicking/Kneeing

                                           Tripping/Throws

                                           Barehand attacks

                                           Two-handed attack

                                           Hooking type of thrust

                                           Uncalled remarks

                                           Unfair playing against the opponent

                                           Intentional excessive attacks to cause physical damage to the opponent

Carelessness in attacking the back of the head, groin area, and neck

area.

                                           Weapon disrespect

 

 

Penalty for Minor Violation

 

                                           1st – Caution

                                           2nd – Verbal Warning

                                           3rd – Official Warning, minus 1 point

                                           4th – Official Warning, minus 1 point

                                           5th – Disqualification from the match

 

Penalty for Major Violation

 

                                           1st – Official Warning, minus 1 point

                                           2nd – Disqualification

 

The Chief Referee can give right away a disqualification, based on the intention and severity of the fighter’s action. Minus points and deductions can be given directly without any warning, but this must be approved by the Chief Referee.

 

Decisions

 

Win By Points – the fighter who earned more points and has obtained a victory by the decision of the majority of the judges is declared the winner.

 

Win By Abandonment – if the fighter fails to continue to fight, voluntarily gives up due to injury or any other reason.

 

Win By Stoppage – if the fighter is unable to continue the fight during the bout due to injury or other physical reasons, the fight will be stopped and his opponent will be declared as the winner.

 

Win By Disqualification – if the fighter is disqualified, his/her opponent will be declared as the winner. In case of disqualification due to a major violation, a disqualified fighter will not receive any awards.

 

Draw – in the case of a draw on the decision round, victory will go to the fighter who scored the most points in the last round.

 

In the case of tied scores in the last round, the decision will be based on the appropriate order of:

                             Better in the last round

                             More active

                             More attacks or counter-attacks executed

                             Better defense

                             Better fighting styles and techniques

 

Officiating

The sparring event will be officiated by a Referee and three (3) Judges seated strategically at a particular angle of the fighting area. The referee will start, stop, resume, and end the bout. The Judges will evaluate each clash and will give scores.


Competition Schedule

All competition events are in a single-elimination system and open-weight categories.

 

Events

 

              High School Boys (15-17 years old)

              High School Girls (15-17 years old)

              Collegiate Men (18-22 years old)

              Collegiate Women (18-22 years old)

              Adult (23 years old and over)

 

Singlestick Fencing

              The above-mentioned rule set will be used, a 36 inches rattan stick with a handguard will be provided by the organizer during the competition. The format of competition for singlestick fencing is point fighting. The Referee will stop the bout after recognizing gestures from the Judges, announce the scores/or violations, and then resume it again. This event is only for players aged 23 years old and over.

 


Bolo Fencing

              This is an open-weight and single-elimination bout in which players will use polymer-made Filipino short swords (e.g. Pinuti). The Rule Set to be used is the same as the rules in Padded Stick Hard Contact Sparring. Players can bring their polymer Filipino sword provided that it will be inspected by the organizing committee to be allowed for use. This event is only for players aged 23 years old and over.

 

 

Reminder

All players will fill out a waiver, assumption of risk, and photo/video release form. Players aged below 18 years old need to bring the Parent Consent Form.

 

 

Rule Set from the copyrighted Filipinas Sala de Armas Rules and Regulations of Stick Fighting


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