“SCA Rapier” Fencing

“SCA” refers to the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc, an international non-profit organization based in Milpitas, California, founded in 1966. Disclaimer: This website does not state SCA policy or law. The Ann Arbor Sword Club is not affiliated with the SCA, Inc. in any way. Fact: this website freely comments on SCA policy and law. Fact: SCA members often fence at the Ann Arbor Sword Club. Their use of SCA-style weaponry, equipment and some of their rules is entirely coincidental and has no bearing on or connection with their SCA participation.

At the Sword club we differentiate between “SCA Rapier” and “Period Rapier” because the latter weapon is much heavier and used without protective equipment (also called “English Sword”). More on English Sword

The SCA’s rules for “SCA Rapier” or “SCA Fencing” vary between regions of the SCA called “kingdoms,” which adopted fencing in various forms at dates often decades apart. The rules at the Sword Club are informal but resemble most nearly those of Midrealm, an SCA kingdom in the American Midwest.

(For perspective, it is only fair to say that our commentaries on the SCA are not those of an outsider. In 1978, several members of the Ann Arbor Sword Club were materially active in the founding of the Ann Arbor chapter of the SCA. Present AASC instructor David Hoornstra was a founder, seneschal, marshal, and rapier marshal and presently serves as herald for the chapter.)

Equipment

An “SCA rapier” has a blade between 30 and 40 inches long and has a straight grip. Its guard may resemble that of any period weapon, including c1800 duelling sword bell. Its tip may not be sharp under a safety tip of rubber or plastic which itself is protected from piercing by a flat metal disc inside it at a right angle to the blade. The most common tip is an archery “bird blunt” arrow tip. The blade must have some flexibility apparent in a “normal” impact on a person to cushion the blow. In essence, the Sword Club will allow use of any weapon the SCA allows, although any of us have the right to refuse to play against any weapon or combination.

Defensive weapons include daggers, bucklers and various parrying devices. The Sword Club welcomes these weapons as long as they do not exhibit a laughable amount of duct tape, toy animals, or like examples of anachronism gone to seed. WARNING: rapiers may be sharp, but ridicule is sharper still, and the Sword Club includes several Masters of this (if no Other) Art.

Defensive clothing such as the SCA requires is acceptable, although we would prefer to see better arm, armpit and leg protection. Costume is not a goal or requirement because one of our members might fence a bout of modern foil and then pick up an SCA Rapier. Changing clothes for every combat style is a bit inconvenient, but some of us do.

Manner of play

This is where we differ most from the SCA. Our interest is in furthering research into historical swordplay with a side interest in improving theatrical combat. The commonly-accepted SCA equipment system allows us to play competitively while attempting to adopt the teachings of period masters. This is not to say we either require period manners or techniques, nor even set a great example of them, but we do encourage these as we can. Except for momentary lapses and single ripostes, we do not “fight down a leg.” We do fight “down a hand” or “...arm.”

Among the period sources we follow are Liechtenauer and di Grassi, and are learning a bit of Fiori dei Liberi. This leads to several tactics prohibited in SCA rules: firmly grasping the opposing blade or hilt to the point of a disarm, very mild wrestling moves like Fiori’s “pushing the elbow,” or simulating nasty unarmed combat techniques from Liechtenauer (just pantomimed; no contact with fists or knees). Painful experience and a hard floor keep us from going too far into wrestling, throws, forcing things and high impacts. SCA (Midrealm) Rapier rules [PDF].

More info: phone (734) 996-4290 or info@annarborsword.com