The Rules of Engagement for Needlefelt Combat:

The first thing to understand in Needle-Felt Combat is that this is Honor Combat. We wish to get a feel for the use or weapons in armor and working together is a simulated combat environment. This is not a system for hitting as hard as possible. In fact, if someone does start losing control and acting in an unsafe manner, the exercise will be stopped and the person or persons will either be warned or banned from further fighting at the event. The most important thing is for each individual to be aware of his or her surroundings, and make an effort to feel any blows from enemy (or friendly) weapons.

When you feel a strike from a needle-felt weapon, you should show that you feel the blow! If you are hit in the leg, arm, torso, or head you should fall down. Sure, if you have armor on, you would be less likely to be killed, BUT, you are also much less likely to even feel a blow. If you feel it, take the blow. You can fight again, later. Failure to take the blows may result in being banned from further combat.

If you hear a whistle blast, guard yourself and stop attacking. Stop all action until there is permission to resume combat.  If you hear the command CEASE FIRE, this means a complete halt to all action.  Basically, FREEZE!

Required safety gear is Groin protection, usually an athletic cup, and safety goggles. You are encouraged to wear a gorget or throat protection. You may hide this under a scarf or make it from skin colored leather. It should protect your larynx from an accidental blow, and should be backed by at least ½ inch of compression foam.  Simulated combat is dangerous. Shields, helmets, hobnails, and other items may hurt you. Injuries to hands, feet, legs, and faces have occurred, and will occur again. The use of thin gloves is recommended for people whose job requires fine motor skills with their hands on the days following this event.

We have some basic rules for needle-felt weapons. You are permitted to wear Roman or Germanic/Celtic armor and helmets, tunics and shoes from the period of 50 BC to AD 50(ish).

You may not carry actual weapons into needle felt combat. You will be warned before any needle felt combat event.

All weapons must meet basic safety standards.

Needle-felt weapons may include one-handed swords, spears, javelins, pila, and daggers. They may include axes and clubs, as well as bows and arrows, slings, and light catapult weapons.

No two-handed cut and slash weapons are allowed.

No double headed (pugil stick) style weapons are allowed.

Shields must be constructed out of materials that would have existed in AD9: Aluminum, Plastic, Zip Ties, Rubber or Duraliner coating will not be allowed. Make authentic equipment to ensure acceptance for use.

Fighters mounted on horses may not use lances or couched spears.

All weapons will be tested prior to use. If you are willing to be hit in the face with your own weapon, being swung by the strongest guy there, then it is probably safe!

IF STRUCK IN NEEDLE ELT COMBAT YOU HAD BETTER COUNT THE HIT. IF YOU ARE TOLD TO TAKE THE HIT BY A JUDGE MORE THAN TWICE THEN YOU WILL  BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE BATTLE FOR THE REST OF THE DAY.  WHEN STRUCK IN COMBAT EITHER FALL DOWN IN A GLORIUS DEATH OR IF IN A BAD SPOT THEN SIMPLY CALL OUT THAT YOU ARE HIT AND WALK AWAY HOLDING YOUR NEEDLEFELT WEAPON BY THE BLADE OVER YOUR HEAD.  IF YOU ARE NOT IN SAFETY GEAR AND A NEEDLEFELT COMBAT STARTS OR YOU COME NEAR A NEEDLEFELT COMBAT, IMMEDIATELY FALL DOWN AS IF DEAD AND COVER YOUR EYES WITH YOUR HAND. NEEDLEFELT COMBAT WILL NOT STOP FOR UNPREPARED BYSTANDERS.

Slinger ammo will be missiles made from Crayola® Model Magic® compound, although hackie sacks are acceptable. (See instructions for making missiles from Crayola® Model Magic® on page 23: Preparing Slingshot Ammunition.)

The only archery we plan to allow in 2010 is using Dan Peterson’s needle-felt arrows.  They may not be aimed directly at anyone. They are fired into the air and come down on the target.