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Please note: this just gives the rules and construction for boffer contests.  If you would like more details, please visit the Kingdom Boffer Site.

RULES OF THE LISTS FOR BOFFER CONTESTS

Section 1 - GENERAL GUIDELINES

  1. The one constant that must remain in all boffer contests is Chivalry. Chivalry is a code of honor. It is honoring an opponent, honoring those in command, and honoring those for whom a contest is fought. Chivalry is respecting the rules of the contest and the word of the Boffer Marshals. It is acknowledging blows and putting the welfare of others before oneself. Chivalry and honor come before winning. Without Chivalry, the most successful contestant is nothing.

Section 2 – RULES OF CONDUCT

  1. A person must be at least four (4) years of age to participate in a boffer contest. Individuals who have reached their twelfth birthday (12) are welcome to participate in boffer related activities, but will not be allowed to compete.
  2. Contestants and parent/guardians will recognize the possibility of injury to themselves.
  3. No person shall participate in boffer-related activities unless they have been properly authorized under Kingdom procedures and have the appropriate waivers and authorization cards.
  4. Each fighter shall maintain control over his or her temper at all times.
  5. All contestants must respect and obey the word of the Boffer Marshals.
  6. Boffer is a game of touch. A hit that is too hard will result in disqualification and forfeiture of the match, at the Boffer Marshal’s discretion. The Boffer Marshals may give one warning, only.
  7. It is the duty of the receiver to acknowledge the location of the blow. Failure to do this is considered dishonorable. Remember people are watching your sense of chivalry.
  8. All contestants shall adhere to the appropriate equipment and boffer standards of An Tir.
  9. A certified Senior Boffer Marshal must check every boffer before it may be used in a boffer contest.

 

 

 

Section 3 – RULES OF THE CONTEST

  1. Four Phrases: There are four phrases that a contestant must learn and obey:
  1. HOLD -- means STOP immediately; contestants should drop to one knee, and place their boffers on the ground. The word "HOLD" is called if the Boffer Marshal sees anything out place. A contestant may also call "HOLD". This should only be done for good cause, e.g. equipment failure or if they see a small child or some object enter the eric. Never as a tactic.
  2. CENTER -- used as a call by the Boffer Marshals to tell the contestants that they are getting too close to the edge of the eric. The contestants continue, working their way back (to the center).
  3. ON GUARD -- called by the Boffer Marshals and means "get ready to resume the contest."
  4. LAY ON -- called by the Boffer Marshals and means, "start the contest."
  1. Illegal Actions: The following actions are illegal and will result in a forfeiture of the match by the striking contestant. A Boffer Marshal reserves the right to determine a blow excessive after at least one warning is given.
  1. Thrusting.
  2. Intentional blow to the opponents groin.
  3. Intentional blow to the opponents head or neck.
  4. Use of excessive force.
  1. Blows that do not count: The following blows are not counted as a death or a removal of a limb.
  1. The head and neck.
  2. The wrist and hand.
  3. The knee and below.
  4. The groin.
  1. Blows which must be counted: The following blows have the listed effects.
  1. A blow to the arm results in removal of that arm. If the contestant wishes to continue the contest, they must discontinue using the lost arm, placing it behind their body (so it does not serve as a shield).
  2. A blow to the leg results in removal of that leg. The contestant may then yield or go to their knees.
  3. Any blow to the body or torso (Front, side or back) is an automatic death.
  4. A second blow to a taken arm counts as a torso shot and is therefore a death.
  5. Disqualification is a death.

 

  1. Winning the Contest The contest is won when the opposing contestant has been killed.

 

 

Section 4 – PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

  1. REQUIRED Personal Equipment
  1. Groin protection for males ages 10 and 11.
  2. Helmet (street hockey, football, motorcycle or equivalent) NO BICYCLE HELMETS!
  3. Face protection to protect eyes and nose areas attached to helmet.
  4. Hand and Wrist Protection. Leather gloves equivalent to batting gloves, golf gloves, or garden/work gloves. Both hands will be covered.
  5. Knee Protection. Kneepads equivalent to those used for skating, bicycling, or gardening.
  6. Footwear. Some form of footwear that covers the top, bottom, and sides must protect the feet.

 

  1. RECOMMENDED Personal Equipment
  1. Body and shoulder protection (heavy shirt or tunic, padded gambeson).
  2. Leg and arm/elbow protection (long sleeves, heavy pants, roller-skating elbow pads).
  3. Footwear that provides good ankle support and traction.

 

 

Section 5 – BOFFERS

  1. Boffer Construction
  1. Boffer handles will be made from schedule 40, 3/4-inch PVC pipe. No more than 6 inches of PVC will be allowed as part of a boffer.
  2. The blade of the boffer shall consist of closed cell foam capable of progressive give. (PVC Pipe Insulation)
  3. The boffer will be able to be bent back on itself with a minimum of pressure. This is in the event of an accidental thrust by a combatant.
  4. The PVC handle of the boffer may extend into the blade no more than 15% of the total blade length. (For example, a boffer with a total blade length of 15 inches may have the handle protrude into the blade by 2 ¼ inches)
  5. All places on the boffer which have potential for striking an opponent must be properly padded with no bald spots or holes.
  6. The PVC portions of the boffer will remain hollow. Filling PVC portions with liquids or solids is prohibited!
  7. All open ends of PVC on boffers must be capped (Standard Rounded PCV Caps) or plugged & glued.
  8. All ends, butts, and tips of the PVC will be padded with a minimum of 1 inch of compressible foam.

(i.e. The foam continues at least an inch past the end of the PVC)

  1. All PCV must be covered with fiberglass strapping tape, so that if the pipe shatters, no one is injured.
  2. Once a boffer is broken, it is illegal and may not be used. A repaired boffer must be re-inspected by a Certified Senior Boffer Marshal before it can be used again in a contest.
  3. When covering the padded portions of the boffer with duct tape, they cannot be wrapped so tightly as to greatly decrease the compression of the foam.
  4. All padded portions of the boffer must be covered with at least 1 layer of duct tape. Boffer blade cutting edges must be clearly indicated by a contrasting colored tape.
  5. Hand protection may be included on the boffer. This may take the form of, but is not limited to:

i) Crossguards & Quillions

  1. ii) Baskets
  2. Keep in mind that safety is of the foremost concern.
  1. The maximum boffer length is equal to the distance from the contestant’s navel to the ground, including the handle.
  2. No steel, wood (including rattan), or fiberglass is allowed on any boffer. Fiberglass strapping tape is allowed for interior reinforcement (not on the exterior of the boffer).
  3. While creativity in boffer making is not discouraged, fighters should limit themselves to the bounds of historical accuracy.
  1. Banned Weapons
  1. Flails are banned by the Society Marshal and the Kingdom of An Tir and are therefore banned in boffer contests.

 

 

Section 6 – Shields

  1. At this time, shields in boffer combat are still experimental. Any contestant using a shield in boffer contests should check with his/her opponent before the contest regarding any concerns their opponent might have. This may result in their opponent asking the contestant to set aside the shield for this contest.
  2. Each shield must be checked and approved by a Senior Boffer Marshal before it may by used in a boffer contest.
  3. Shields must be constructed out of non-rigid material such as foam. Edges must be padded and taped, but not so as to interfere with the compression of the foam
  4. Dimensions
  1. Heater Shield: Length not to exceed the measurement from "chin to crotch". Width not to exceed the measurement from shoulder to shoulder.
  2. Round Shield: Diameter not to exceed the measurement from elbow to elbow when hands are placed "fist to fist".
  1. Shields are not to be used as an "offensive weapon". The shield can only come in contact with the opponent’s Boffer. (I.e. Contestants are not to push or "punch" their opponent with the shield. Using the shield to "hook" their opponents Boffer or Shield is also not allowed.