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Division 1: 6 – 9 years old

Minimum Required Armor

1. Head — A helmet must cover the head. Helms for youth combat includes: street hockey helmets, hockey helmets, baseball catcher’s masks with full head protection, and fencing masks. Period looking metal helms are also allowed and encouraged. All helms must have grills or metal mesh covering the face. No opening on the face shall be more than 2 inches. The helm must be constructed of rigid material. Helms must have either a chinstrap or a back strap to hold the helm securely and must fit.
2. Neck — Larynx protection is required. Minimum light leather. Note that some helmets, including all fencing masks meet this requirement.
3. Torso — Must be covered by shirt, tunic, bodice, etc. Kidney, sternum and xyphoid protection is not required.
4. Arms — Minimum of lightweight cloth must cover shoulders and elbow. Elbow joint protection is not required. Both a long sleeve shirt and a short sleeve with elbow pads meet this requirement. Light gloves are required for hands.
5. Legs — Long pants, tights, or sweats required. Minimum of lightweight cloth. Sturdy shoes are required. No open-toed shoes or sandals. Knee joint protection is not required.
6. Groin — Minimum protection is sports cup, padded skirt or undergarment, light leather or equivalent.

Weapon Standards

1. All single-handed weapons will be made of a golf tube covered with a minimum of 0.375 (3/8”) in. of closed cell foam extending 1.5 in. past the end of the tube. Alternatively, a 12 inch long ½ inch diameter piece of schedule 40 PVC pipe can be used as a handle inside a “fun noodle.” The ends of the golf tube must be fiber tape closed; ends of the PVC handle must have end caps and the PVC must be entirely wrapped in strapping tape.
2. Striking edges and thrusting tips must be marked with contrasting color tape.
3. All two handed weapons will be made of golf tubes taped together with an overlap of up to three inches covered with 0.5 in. of closed cell foam extending 1.5 in. past the end of the tube. The ends of the golf tube must be fiber tape closed.
4. All single handed thrusting weapons must be constructed as above. If a thrusting tip is used, it must consist of closed cell foam and tape, loosely wrapped, a minimum 2.5 inches in diameter and extending 2.5 inches past the golf tube. Tip should be sturdy enough to not completely fold over upon impact.
5. All two handed thrusting weapons must be constructed as above. If a thrusting tip is used, it must consist of closed cell foam and tape, loosely wrapped, a minimum 3 inches in diameter and extending 2.5 inches past the golf tube. Tip should be sturdy enough to not completely fold over upon impact.
6. Weapons must be covered with a single layer of loosely wrapped duct tape for support.
7. Mass weapons should have no "mass" to them.
8. Basket hilts are not required but are allowed.
9. The maximum length of any weapon will be 5 feet.

Shield Standards

1. Shields may not be used as offensive weapons. NO contact between shield and the opponent’s body is allowed.
2. Materials allowed are wood, plastic, or aluminum or equivalent.
3. All edges must be covered by tubing, leather, or foam. Pipe foam padding is highly recommended.
4. Shield shape should be recognizable as a medieval shield.
5. No bolts, wires or other objects may project more than ¼ inch without padding or tape.

Blow Calibration

1. Touch only. Any blows that touch the opponent’s body, unless rolled across a weapon or shield, will be accepted. Marshals are expected to notify the combatants if a shot comes off a shield or weapon. Groin shots, while legal, are to be discouraged.
2. The marshals shall notify the combatant when the blow force is harder than a touch.
3. All combatants are presumed to be wearing only a tunic.
4. Combatants may call hold to discuss the force of blows, and the marshal in charge of the field should encourage communication between the opponents to help both combatants understand the exchange of blows.
5. The marshal in charge of the field will discount blows that are harder than positive force, but not hard enough to injure an opponent. This situation must be discussed with both youth combatants.
6. Any combatant using force sufficient to bruise or injure an opponent will, after one warning, be removed from the field. This situation will be discussed with the combatant and the parent. It is up to the marshal in charge to determine if the combatant is to be allowed on the field that day.

Target Area

1. The body from 1 inch above the knee and up is legal target area for cutting and thrusting. Blows to the hand are not counted. Face thrusting is NOT permitted in this division.
2. Thrusting is allowed to the torso, arms and legs.

Blow Acknowledgment

1. Any touch to a legal target area scores a victory for the combatant striking the blow.
2. Combatants do not fight from their knees or with the off hand.
3. All tournament combat shall be conducted in the manner of counted blows with three being the standard number.
4. In melee when touched an opponent may either fall down or leave the field.

Division 2: 10 – 13 years old

Minimum Required Armor

1. Head — A helmet must cover the head. Helms for youth combat include: street hockey helmets, lacrosse helmets, hockey helmets, baseball catcher’s masks with full head protection, and fencing masks. Period looking metal helms are also allowed and encouraged. All helms must have grills or metal mesh covering the face. No opening on the face shall be more than 2 inches. The helm must be constructed of rigid material. Helms must have either a chin strap or a back strap to hold the helm securely. All helmets must fit. There should not be openings between the helm and the gorget in either the front or back where a weapon width can touch the skin. If a gap greater than 1 inch exists, some form of camail will be used.
2. Neck — Lightweight gorget covering the larynx and cervical spine is required. Minimum of light leather is required.
3. Torso — Must be covered by shirt, tunic, bodice, etc. The kidneys must be covered at least a medium weight kidney belt. Minimum medium leather backed with padding or foam. Kydex, metal scale, plate etc. are acceptable. Females must also have adequate breast protection, e.g. quilted material tunic, light leather or equivalent.
4. Arms — Minimum of lightweight cloth on shoulders and armpits. Heavy or padded gloves are required for hands. Elbow joint protection is required. Minimum of soft elbow pads.
5. Legs — Long pants, tights, or sweats required. Minimum of lightweight cloth. Sturdy shoes are required. No open-toed shoes or sandals. Knee joint protection is required. Minimum of soft kneepads are required..
6. Groin — Minimum protection is sports cup, padded skirt, leather or equivalent.

Weapon Standards

1. Schedule 40 PVC is considered the standard base material for YC weapon construction. The MiC or Deputies will consider other equivalent materials for construction (such as CPVC, Schedule 80 PVC, or Siloflex) on a case-by-case basis. The standard non-thrusting type weapon must consist of:
   1. 0.75 inch ID PVC (schedule 40) minimum; 1.0 inch I.D. maximum
   2. Both ends of PVC must be capped.
   3. Two layers of fiber-reinforced strapping tape.
   4. 1/2 inch closed cell foam, minimum, extending the striking length of the boffer to 1.5 inches past tip of PVC. The foam must cover all sides of the PVC. Combatants may construct weapons with 3/8” foam on the weapon, but the striking edge must meet the 1/2” minimum.
   5. Minimum one layer duct tape wrapped loosely.
2. Striking edges and thrusting tips must be marked with contrasting color tape.
3. All single handed thrusting weapons must consist of the above listed construction plus a thrusting tip consisting of closed cell foam and tape, loosely wrapped, a minimum 2 inches in diameter and extending 2 inches past PVC. Tip should be sturdy enough to not completely fold over upon impact. Tips may use soft leather or cloth to give support to avoid folding over.
4. Two Handed weapons must use a minimum of 0.75 inch PVC, maximum of 1.0 inch inner diameter PVC.
5. Two Handed thrusting weapons must consist of the above listed construction plus a thrusting tip consisting of closed cell foam and tape, loosely wrapped, a minimum 2 inches in diameter and extending 2.5 inches past PVC. Tip should be sturdy enough to not completely fold over upon impact. Tips may use soft leather or cloth to give support to avoid folding over.
6. All weapons must be proportional to the size of the combatant. Mass weapons should have no real "mass" to them. Weapons must be able to be used safely by combatants. Spears are not allowed in Division II.
7. Basket hilts are not required but are recommended.

Shield Standards

1. Shields may not be used as offensive weapons. NO contact between shield and the opponent’s body is allowed.
2. Materials allowed are wood, plastic, or aluminum or equivalent.
3. All edges must be covered by tubing, leather, or foam. Pipe foam padding is highly recommended.
4. Shield shape should be recognizable as medieval shield.
5. No bolts, wires or other objects may project more than 1/4 inch without padding or tape.

Blow Calibration

1. All cutting blows must have positive force to count. Positive force is defined as a blow that does not stop at the surface but need not have any power behind it.
2. All thrusting blows will require touch only. Any unimpeded blow will be counted.
3. All combatants are presumed to be wearing a quilted coif and tunic only.
4. Any combatant using force sufficient to bruise or injure an opponent will, after one warning, be removed from the field. This situation will be discussed with the combatant and the parent. It is up to the marshal in charge to determine if the combatant is to be allowed on the field that day.

Target Area

1. The body from 1 inch above the knee and up is legal target area for cutting and thrusting. Blows to the hand are not counted.
2. Thrusts to the face are allowed.

Blow Acknowledgment

1. Any blow striking from the shoulder to the hand shall cause the loss of the arm.
2. Any blow striking from 1 inch above the knee to the hips will cause the loss of the leg. The combatant will then be allowed to fight from his knees.
3. Any blow striking the hip will cause the loss of movement. The combatant must sit to continue to fight.
4. Any blow struck to the head or torso is a kill. The combatant is to fall to the ground.

Division 3: 14 – 17 years old

Minimum Required Armor

1. Head — A helmet must cover the head. Helms for youth combat include: street hockey helmets, lacrosse helmets, hockey helmets, baseball catcher’s masks with full head protection, and fencing masks with padded hoods. Standard SCA armored helmets are encouraged. All helms must have grills or metal mesh covering the face. No opening on the face shall be more than 2 inches. The helm must be constructed of rigid material. Helms must have either a chin strap or a back strap to hold the helm securely. All helmets must fit. There should not be openings between the helm and the gorget in either the front or back where a weapon width can touch the skin. If a gap greater than 1 inch exists, some form of camail will be used.
2. Neck — The neck (larynx and cervical vertebrae) must be covered by either the helm, gorget of rigid material, mail or heavy leather camail or aventail, or by a collar of medium leather lined with foam or other equivalent padding. The neck (larynx and cervical vertebrae) must stay covered during typical combat situations to include turning the head, lifting the chin, etc. Minimum of medium leather or equivalent. (for example: Light weight leather = weight used in hand gloves, Medium weight leather = men’s belt weight leather, Heavy weight leather = shoe sole leather).
3. Torso — Must be covered by shirt, tunic, bodice, etc. The kidneys, sternum and xyphoid must be covered by rigid material. Minimum medium leather backed with padding or foam. Kydex, metal scale, plate etc. are acceptable. Females must also have adequate breast protection, e.g. quilted material tunic, light leather or equivalent.
4. Arms —Minimum of lightweight cloth on the shoulders and armpits. Rigid elbow joint protection is required. Minimum elbow pads covered with medium leather. Roller blade or volleyball style pads with hard plastic cup are acceptable.
5. Hands — The hands must be protected by a combination of basket hilt, gauntlet or hockey gloves. Street hockey and lacrosse gloves are acceptable for this division. Gauntlets may be made of leather or metal.
6. Legs — Long pants or sweats required. Minimum of lightweight clothes. Sturdy shoes are required. No open-toed shoes or sandals. Knee joint protection is required. Minimum of soft kneepads covered with medium leather. Roller blade or volleyball style pads with hard plastic cup are acceptable.
7. Groin — For boys, the minimum protection is sports cup or rigid pubic arch protection. For girls, closed-cell foam or heavy leather or the equivalent is required to cover the pubic bone area. The wearing of a male style athletic cup by female fighters is not considered sufficient protection.

Weapon Standards

1. Schedule 40 PVC is considered the standard base material for YC weapon construction. The MiC or Deputies will consider other equivalent materials for construction (such as CPVC, Schedule 80 PVC, or Siloflex) on a case-by-case basis. The standard non-thrusting type weapon must consist of:
   1. 0.75 inch ID PVC (schedule 40) minimum; 1.0 inch I.D. maximum
   2. Both ends of PVC must be capped.
   3. Two layers of fiber-reinforced strapping tape.
   4. 1/2" inch closed cell foam, minimum, extending the striking length of the weapon to 1.5 inches past tip of PVC. The foam must cover all sides of the PVC.
   5. Minimum one layer duct tape wrapped loosely.
2. Striking edges and thrusting tips must be marked with contrasting color tape.
3. All single handed thrusting weapons must consist of the above listed construction plus a thrusting tip consisting of closed cell foam and tape, loosely wrapped, a minimum 2 inches in diameter and extending 2 inches past PVC. Tip should be sturdy enough to not completely fold over upon impact. Tips may use soft leather or cloth to give support to avoid folding over.
4. Lanyards are required on single-handed weapons.
5. Construction of two-handed weapons shall follow single handed weapon guidelines with the exception of 1inch PVC (Schedule 40) used for base material.
   1. Two Handed thrusting weapons must consist of the above listed construction plus a thrusting tip consisting of closed cell foam and tape, loosely wrapped, a minimum 2.5 inches in diameter and extending 2 inches past PVC. Tip should be sturdy enough to not completely fold over upon impact. Tips may use soft leather or cloth to give support to avoid folding over.
   2. Size limits on two-handed weapons
      1. Spear – 7.5 feet
      2. Polearm – 6 feet
      3. Great sword – 6 feet, with a haft no more than 18 inches.

Shield Standards

1. Shields may not be used as offensive weapons. NO contact between shield and the opponent’s body is allowed.
2. Materials allowed are wood, plastic, or aluminum or equivalent.
3. All edges must be covered by tubing, leather, or foam.
4. Pipe foam padding is highly recommended.
5. Shield shape should be recognizable as medieval shield.
6. No bolts, wires or other objects may project more than 1/4 inch without padding or tape.
7. A shield basket, hockey glove or gauntlet is required under the shield.

Blow Calibration

1. Light force is required for all cutting shots. Light force is best described as a small bounce of the weapon upon contact.
2. Positive force is required for thrusts to the body, arms or legs.
3. Face thrusts require only a touch. Any combatant using more than a touch to the face will, after one warning, be removed from the field.
4. Groin shots, while legal, are to be discouraged.
5. All combatants are presumed to be wearing mid-thigh leather gambeson and leather skullcap.
6. Any combatant using force sufficient to injure an opponent will, after one warning, be removed from the field.
7. The target area and blow acknowledgment will be the same as armored combat. Refer to the current armored combat manual for definition.

Division 4 - Youth Armored Combat/Youth Rattan: 16 – 17 Years Old

Minimum Required Armor

Weapon Standards

Shield Standards

Blow Calibration