OXFORD SWORD AND STAFF

HEMA is a physical activity involving simulated combat against other humans. As such it carries an inherent level of risk and exertion. That said we can and should take steps to practise as safely as possible for our training partners and ourselves. In case of any questions or issues with any of these, please talk with someone else, ideally an instructor but ultimately anyone you trust.

First Aid

All mentors and most coaches have first aid training. A first aid kit is also available, please speak to a coach or mentor if needed. If in doubt dial the emergency services on 112 or 999.

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Session supervision

There should always be at least one coach or mentor present at a session. They are overall responsible for the safety of the session. Please follow their instructions when given.

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Safety Calls

Safety is everyone’s responsibility, and to that end if you see something dangerous, unsafe or someone in trouble please inform an instructor or member of the committee as soon as possible. If the danger is immediate, call “Halt”, or otherwise safely stop the practice. If you hear “Halt” or “Stop” called, stop your immediate activity, make yourself safe and assess the situation. If you’re in an attacking motion stop. If you need to parry/defend something do so, make a safe distance and stop.

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Adaptive Training

You are more than welcome to train if you’re recovering from an injury, use a mobility aid, have a disability or otherwise aren’t feeling your best. Drills can be adapted and sparring can be changed to work with your situation. You also know yourself best - if a drill, exercise or sparring isn’t working or feeling good for whatever reason, discuss with a coach and work together to find a solution.

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Spatial Awareness

If doing paired drills, exercises or sparring you must be aware of both your own space, and your partner’s space. Stop if people intrude on your piste/area, be conscious of driving your partner into other people’s space or into hazards like walls or kit.

 

Likewise be conscious of others practising - give them plenty of space and don’t leave kit in an area where it might be in the way. When you’ve finished an exercise or sparring bout clear the piste for other fencers to use.

 

Clothing/Jewellery

Wear clothing suitable for physical activity. No jewellery should be worn unless low profile or well out of the way. In particular, remove watches. Training with glasses is fine, but be sensible with how they fit inside masks.

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Masks

The single most important piece of kit! If you’re participating in a paired exercise where a weapon (metal, synth, wood, foam) might go near your face, masks are mandatory. No ifs, no buts. There are club masks you might borrow, or use your own. If there aren’t enough form a three, four or however many you need.

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Training Equipment

Club kit is there for everyone to use so please make use of it. If it’s looking damaged or in a bad state let a coach know and we can get it sorted.

 

Any training equipment should be kept in good condition and regularly inspected. Anything with sharp edges should be filed/smoothed, loose bits addressed and severe bends addressed. If in doubt, speak to a coach to check it.

 

Strictly no sharps are to be used in training without consulting a coach first, and if so specific measures will be put in place.

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Sparring/Free-play

Sparring is unstructured practice with one or more other fencers. This can range from no-contact freeplay to intense, tournament-like sparring. Each of these has their place in training and can be practised safely if the appropriate steps are taken.

 

Before a bout you must discuss with your training partner:

• What intensity you want to do

• What size piste you’ll use

• What rules/conditions you want to fence with

• Whether or not you’re fine with grappling (assume no grappling unless stated)

• Whether or not you’re fine with throwing to the floor (assume no throws unless stated)

• What protective kit you each have

You must pick an intensity suitable for the level of kit you both have. If you’re using synths or steel, you should at least have a mask, good gloves (SPES heavies, sparring gloves for longsword, red dragons for single hand) and a gorget for anything but very light intensity. If in doubt, ask a coach.

 

In general, you must avoid hitting:

• The back of the head

• The spine

• The groin

• Feet

• Sides and back of the knee
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Grappling

A special note on grappling - be familiar with tapping and what it signifies. If you want the exercise/sparring to stop, tap yourself, your partner or the floor, or otherwise verbally let them know. This can be for any reason. Please always be conscious we are not a specialised grappling/wrestling club, do not assume your partner has great experience in grappling and judge the intensity appropriately.

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Non-Combatants (NCs)

Whilst sparring and classes are going on, anyone not actively taking part in those activities becomes part of the NCs. When part of the NCs you must be aware of what is happening around you, and your distance from any Active Combatants. An Active Combatant is anyone taking part in a class, solo drilling or sparring.

 

As an NC you must:

• Stay outside of active pistes, leaving 3m where possible between you and the Active Combatants

• Stick where possible to the outside of the hall

• Not wave weaponry close to Active Combatants or other NCs

 

In the majority of cases Active Combatants CANNOT see you. Whilst they should be aware of their surroundings and actively guide their partner, they cannot see behind themselves and will not know you are there. 

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Other

Absolutely no one should be training under the influence of alcohol or any other intoxicant.

 

References

 

See the Academy of Historical Arts policies for further discussion

https://www.academyofhistoricalarts.co.uk/resources/policies/protective-equipment/

https://www.academyofhistoricalarts.co.uk/resources/policies/aha-health-and-safety-policy-hema/