Here are the rules for the Crab Cup taking place on Aug 23 2025:

• Entrance fee will be $30 to be paid on registration at the beginning of the event.

• Doors open at 11:00, Tournament starts at 12:00 and concludes by 16:00.

• Competitors require their own set of equipment as we will not have time to swap gear.

• Required Equipment:

  • A longsword ‘Feder’

  • Fencing jacket

  • Throat protection (in addition to jacket and mask)

  • HEMA mask

  • HEMA gloves

  • Indoor shoes

  • Athletic cup

  • Hard protection for:

    • Shins

    • Knees

    • Forearms

    • Elbows

• The tournament is in double elimination format

• Each round will be 3 minutes, semi finals onwards matches will be best 2 of 3 bouts

• Deep targets (head and body) are worth 2 shallow targets (arms and legs) are worth 1

• If a competitor steps outside of bounds, it is worth 1

• Grappling at the blade is allowed, a successful grapple at the blade is worth 2

• To successfully Grapple at the blade:

  • The blade of the opponent must be under control before attempting to grab it. Attempting to grab an incoming strike is not allowed and will lead to a warning and possible disqualification.

  • You must control your opponent’s body such that you could throw or trip them (it is strongly encouraged that you do not throw them if possible)
    OR
    You are able to thrust cut or otherwise bring your weapon to bear against them in an manner that is not defended against.

  • Failure to abide by these rules will lead to a warning and disqualification at judges discretion

• The exchange will continue until halt is called by judges. While an exchange is active significant hits to either competitor are counted, only the highest value hit to each competitor will be counted. (e.g. if you receive a strike to the arm followed by a strike to the head, only 2 points (the strike to the head) will be counted).

• The bout goes until a competitor receives 10 points worth of strikes AND there is a difference of at least 2 points.

  • If there is not a difference of at least 2 point in favor of one competitor, the bout will continue until time expires.

  • Tie breaks favor the person who has taken the least number of strikes (in points)

• Judges are looking for decisive hits. The quality of a hit is judged by blade alignment and path of the strike.

• If a strike is defended such that the blow hits the opponents sword or guard rather than making clear contact to the target it will be deemed incidental and disregarded.

• Judging is arbitrary and while judges may listen to fencers' input, their call is final.

• We reserve the right to adjust the ruleset to facilitate running the tournament fairly and smoothly.