Youth Combat

• Division 1: ages 6–9

• Division 2: ages 10–13

• Division 3: ages 14–17

• Division 4/Youth Armored Combat/Youth Rattan: Ages 16 – 17

Youth Rattan

To accommodate the growing number of youths attending Pennsic with a single parent, or with parents who are very active at Pennsic, the following parental presence rules will be in effect at the Youth Combat lists.

1. Division 1 participants must have a parent/guardian or other adult (age 18 or older, as designated by their parent/legal guardian) remain with them during Youth Combat sessions.
   1. The parent/legal guardian must identify and introduce the responsible adult to the youth marshals in charge so that the youth marshals can confirm the parent-approved responsible adult designation and make sure that rapid contact information (cell phone numbers or two-way radio information) is documented on the youth combat sign-in forms.
   2. The designated responsible adult is required to have the rapid contact information with him/her during the Youth Combat sessions.
   3. Parents must repeat the above procedure if they decide to appoint additional or different responsible adults during the course of Pennsic.
2. Division 2: In accordance with the Pennsic Youth policies, participants under the age of 12 must be within voice range or in sight of a responsible adult or teenager (of at least 16 years of age) while participating in Youth Combat. This encompasses the area immediately surrounding the Youth List Fields.
3. Parents designating a responsible adult/teenager must sign an SCA Medical Release form, so an injured child can be given First Aid when the parent is not present at the Youth Combat List Field.
4. All Youth Combatants and their responsible parent/adult/teenager will sign-in with the marshals for each session. Even if a Youth Combatant has attended the morning session, a separate sign-in is necessary for the afternoon session.

Times may vary to avoid conflicting with major battles. The Youth Combat List Field may be open for additional sessions. Please check the schedule at the Youth Combat List for additional open sessions.

Tournaments

As in the past, we encourage parents and marshals in training to assist the youth combat marshals on the Youth Combat list. These unwarranted individuals must work under the supervision of a warranted youth marshal. Failure to have a warranted youth marshal at a list field will result in the shutting-down of that list field.

All Youth Combat Participants are reminded that the rules under review by the BOD at present will disallow PVC at future events.

I. DIVISION 1: 6 – 9 YEARS OLD

Minimum Required Armor

1. Head - A helmet must cover the head. Helms for youth combat include: hockey helmets, street hockey helmets, lacrosse helmets, baseball catcher's masks with full head protection, and fencing masks. Period looking metal helms are also allowed and encouraged.
   1. All helms must have grills or metal mesh covering the face.
   2. No opening on the face shall be more than 2 inches.
   3. The helm must be constructed or rigid material.
   4. 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, armpits, and elbow. Elbow joint protection is not required. Both a long sleeve shirt and a short sleeve shirt with elbow pads meets this requirement.
5. Hands - Light gloves are required for hands.
6. Legs - A minimum of lightweight cloth must cover the legs. Knee joint protection is not required. Long pants, tights, sweats, or shorts with kneepads, meets this requirement.
7. Feet - Sturdy shoes are required. No open-toed shoes or sandals.
8. Groin - Minimum protection is sports cup, padded skirt or undergarment, light leather or equivalent.

Weapon Standards (see also "Weapon Construction" above)

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 in. past the end of the tube. The ends of the golf tube must be fiber tape closed.
   1. Alternatively, a 12-inch long 1/2-inch diameter piece of schedule 40 PVC pipe can be used as a handle inside a "fun noodle"; ends of the PVC handle must have end caps and the PVC must be wrapped with two layers of fiber-reinforced strapping tape. For other materials, see the policy statement in "Weapon Construction" above.
   2. Weapons must be covered with a single layer of loosely wrapped duct tape for support.
2. 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.
3. All two handed weapons will be made of golf tubes taped together with an overlap of up to three inches covered with 0.375 (3/8) 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 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.
5. Mass weapons should have no "mass" to them.
6. Basket hilts are not required but are allowed.
7. All weapons must be proportional to the size of the combatant. The maximum length of any weapon will be 5 feet.

Shield Standards

1. Materials allowed are wood, plastic, or aluminum or equivalent.
2. All edges must be covered by tubing, leather, or foam. Pipe foam padding is highly recommended.
3. Shield shape should be recognizable as a medieval shield.
4. No bolts, wires or other objects may project more than 1/4 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 a legal target area for cutting and thrusting. Blows to the hand and wrist 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.

II. DIVISION 2: 10 – 13 YEARS OLD

Minimum Required Armor

1. Head - A helmet must cover the head. Helms for youth combat include: hockey helmets, street hockey helmets, lacrosse helmets, baseball catcher's masks with full head protection, and fencing masks. Period looking metal helms are also allowed and encouraged.
   1. All helms must have grills or metal mesh covering the face.
   2. No opening on the face shall be more than 2 inches.
   3. The helm must be constructed or rigid material.
   4. Helms must have either a chinstrap or a back strap to hold the helm securely and must fit.
   5. 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 or aventail will be used.
2. Neck - A 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 by 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. Elbow joint protection is required. Minimum: soft elbow pads.
5. Hands - Heavy or padded gloves are required for hands.
6. Legs - Knee joint protection is required. Minimum of soft kneepads are required.
7. Feet - Sturdy shoes are required. No open-toed shoes or sandals.
8. Groin - Minimum protection is sports cup, padded skirt, leather or equivalent.

Weapon Standards (see also "Weapon Construction" above)

1. Schedule 40 PVC is considered the standard base material for YC weapon construction. For other materials, see the policy statement in "Weapon Construction" above. The standard non-thrusting type weapon must consist of:
   1. 0.75 inch ID PVC (schedule 40).
   2. Both ends of PVC must be capped.
   3. Two layers of fiber-reinforced strapping tape.
   4. 3/8" 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. Construction of two-handed weapons shall follow single-handed weapon guidelines. Two Handed weapons must use 0.75 inch ID PVC (schedule 40) minimum; 1.0 inch I.D. maximum.
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 2.5 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.
6. All weapons must be proportional to the size of the combatant. Weapons must be able to be used safely by combatants. Spears are not allowed in Division II.
7. Mass weapons should have no real "mass" to them.
8. Basket hilts are not required but are recommended.
9. Pommels and butt ends of weapons, not intended as thrusting tips, shall have a minimum of 3/8" of padding around and past the end cap.

Shield Standards

1. Materials allowed are wood, plastic, or aluminum or equivalent.
2. All edges must be covered by tubing, leather, or foam. Pipe foam padding is highly recommended.
3. Shield shape should be recognizable as medieval shield.
4. No bolts, wires or other objects may project more than 1/4 inch without padding or tape.

Blow Calibration

1. All cutting blows must make positive contact to count. Positive contact is defined as a clear and unobstructed intentional blow with minimum force to a portion of the body that is a legal target area. Excessive force is discouraged.
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 and wrist 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.

III. 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.
   1. All helms must have grills or metal mesh covering the face.
   2. No opening on the face shall be more than 2 inches.
   3. The helm must be constructed or rigid material.
   4. Helms must have either a chinstrap or a back strap to hold the helm securely and must fit.
   5. 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 or aventail 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. (For example: light weight leather = weight used in hand gloves, Medium weight leather = men's belt weight leather, Heavy weight leather = shoe sole leather). The neck (larynx and cervical vertebrae) must stay covered during typical combat situations to include turning the head, lifting the chin, etc.
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 of elbow pads covered with medium leather. Roller blade or volleyball style pads with hard plastic cap are acceptable.
5. Hands - The hand 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 - Knee joint protection is required. Minimum of kneepads covered with medium leather. Roller blade or volleyball style pads with hard plastic cap are acceptable.
7. Feet - Sturdy shoes are required. No open-toed shoes or sandals.
8. 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 (see also "Weapon Construction" above)

1. Schedule 40 PVC is considered the standard base material for YC weapon construction. For other materials, see the policy statement in "Weapon Construction" above. 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. 3/8" 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. Two Handed weapons must use 0.75 inch ID PVC (schedule 40) minimum; 1.0 inch I.D. maximum.
   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.
6. Pommels and butt ends of weapons, not intended as thrusting tips, shall have a minimum of 3/8" of padding around and past the end cap.

Shield Standards

1. Materials allowed are wood, plastic, or aluminum or equivalent.
2. All edges must be covered by tubing, leather, or foam. Pipe foam padding is highly recommended.
3. Shield shape should be recognizable as medieval shield.
4. No bolts, wires or other objects may project more than 1/4 inch without padding or tape.
5. A shield basket, hockey glove or gauntlet is required under the shield.

Blow Calibration

1. Light armored force is required for all cutting shots. Light force is the deliberate, unimpeded, targeted contact with a portion of the body that is a legal target area. The blow should be clearly felt. It is possible for a shot to be considered "light". There is more discretion on the part of combatants to determine the effectiveness of blows.
2. Positive contact 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 a 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.

IV. DIVISION 4 - YOUTH ARMORED COMBAT / YOUTH RATTAN: 16 – 17 YEARS OLD

Minimum Required Armor

Weapon Standards

Shield Standards

Blow Calibration