Rules of the Helsinki Bolognese Open 2014

Event’s main page

Rules in brief

Rules in rounds will be fought with training swords resembling typical 16th century Italian weapons. No sidearms, such as dagger, cape or buckler are allowed. The organizers will provide the swords used in the competiRounds will be fought in a circular area with a diameter of 9,5 meters.

Rounds will be fought until seven points are scored or the two minute time limit is reached. Points are scored as follows:

Head: 3 points
Foot under the knee: 2 points
Torso, thighs, arms and hands: 1 point

bolo-targets

Allowed techniques are strikes and thrusts with the sword blade. Front kick to the body is allowed, but knee kicks, elbow strikes, strikes with fist or open palm or with the pommel or crossguard of the sword are forbidden. Points are awarded for lifting the opponent off his feet or controlled takedowns, but throws and joint locks aiming to damage joints are forbidden. Deliberately injuring the opponent or attempting to do so is forbidden.

After receiving a hit the fencer has the duration of one step or one strike to return a strike of his own to the body of his opponent. Both strikes are scored if the so-called afterblow has landed within accepted duration from the initially landed strike. In this case the lower score is subtracted from the higher score. If the strikes are equal, no points are awarded.

Example round

Equipment

The following protective equipment is minimum required for participants. Equipment will be checked before the fighters first match. If you have any questions regarding the equipment, please email us at info@ehms.fi

Required:

  • mask with back of the head protection
  • elbow guards
  • knee guards
  • box for men
  • throat protection
  • jacket (HEMA jackets, fencing coaches jacket, fencing jacket with well-padded extra protection for torso and neck area, thick gambesons without holes in armpits)
  • shoes
  • shin guards
  • protective gloves: a padded glove for the unarmed hand (if deemed inadequate, the organizers will lend an alternative glove), for weapon hand a glove with impact protection (Sparring Gloves, steel gauntlets, Black Lance HEMA gloves, Red Dragon gloves, or similar. Light lacrosse gloves and similar are not considered adequate protection.)

Forbidden:

  • any equipment presenting a threat to the safety of opponent. E.g. with metallic or otherwise hard, sharp projections.
  • steel capped shoes
  • any equipment leaving visibly exposed areas of bare skin