Ruleset

Introduction

Cock of the Balkans 2026 is a competitive sporting event, created to give fencers the opportunity to test their abilities in a controlled environment.

The goal of this ruleset is neither the reconstruction of a historical competitive system, nor the simulation of historical combat. Instead, its goal is to be a competitive ground for testing key skills needed for developing an understanding of historical fencing techniques, in a safe and controlled environment.

Gear

This is the required gear for the tournament:

Weapons:

All weapons must correspond to their weapon type. A Kriegsmesser will not be accepted for longsword, and a messer will not be accepted for sabre, for example.
Sabre in the context of this tournament means classic western sabre; cup , bowland stirrup baskets are what’s expected.


Longsword:

Blade length: up to 105cm
Weight: 1200-1600gr
Point of balance: 5-8cm from crossguard
Flex: 10-16kg (franklin method)
Safe point (spatulated, rolled, or tipped with a cap)

Sabre:

Blade length: up to 90cm
Weight: 700-900gr
Point of balance: 7-14cm from the basket
Flex: 6-12kg (franklin method)
Safe point: (spatulated, rolled, or tipped with a cap)

Safety gear

Fencing mask: must be CEN 2 level mesh, FIE 1600N bib. Masks with large dents will be deemed inappropriate.

Back of head protection: must cover the back of the head and the nape of the neck.

Neck protection (gorget): must be a throat guard that incorporates a rigid plate.

Jacket: 350N jacket or higher. There must be no gaps in the jacket (e.g. fastening points)

Rigid chest protection: required for longsword. The only exception is if a jacket has a rigid or semi-rigid instert that covers the front and sides of the ribcage. Recommended for sabre.

Fencing pants: Well padded pants. Simple Landsknecht pants are not enough; Landsknecht pants over hockey padded pants are OK. A HEMA skirt is an acceptable substitute.

Protective gloves: high intensity sparring appropriate gloves (SPES, sparring glove, HF armory etc.). For sabre, same holds true though the standard is less exacting due to the basket of the weapon.

Arm and leg protection: rigid elbow, forearm, knee and shin protectors are required.

Groin guard: required.

Extra: no skin may be exposed.

Fencing actions

Scoring actions are:

Hits:

  • Cuts delivered with the edge of the sword after visible travel of the blade in an arc and with momentum.
  • Thrusts delivered with the tip of the sword with visible bending of the sword, push of the opponent, or a stopping due to the stab.
  • Slices delivered with the edge of the sword with a visible movement of the sword up or down and/or pushing the opponent with the edge.
  • Blows with the flat of the blade to the head may be counted as valid if they haven’t hit anything else on the way and have other characteristics of cuts.

Others:

  • Disarming the opponent – unintentional AND intentional dropping of the sword counts as a disarm. Exceptions may be made at judges’ discretion if a fencer intentionally drops their sword during strong thrusts in order to keep the opponent safe. However, the sword must not present a danger to others.
  • Establishing a dominant position through wrestling – A dominant position is defined by controlling the opponent’s movement at will or a CONTROLLED lift where both of the opponent’s feet are off the ground, but the opponent stays vertical. Full throws are not allowed due to safety concerns.
  • Driving or pushing the opponent outside the playing field in a controlled manner (opponent must not fall dangerously during a push out). Opponent stepping with both feet completely outside the marking of the field.

Non-scoring actions are:

  • Grabbing the opponent’s body or arm(s) or weapon hilt to deliver a hit.
  • Grabbing and holding a sword’s blade if it is not moving to deliver a hit. If the blade is not securely held and slides on the hand it will be considered as a slice for the opponent.
  • Pushing the opponent with hands or body.
  • Using arms and legs to establish control of the opponent or as a lever point for a controlled descent to the ground.
  • Simultaneous hits (“double hits”) where both fencers hit each other at a nearly identical time (the second hit was in the final stage of its execution – approximately the last third of the movement
  • Glancing blows – hits that only hit due to the bulk of our gear (mask excluded) – for example, a protruding forearm protection hit with only the very tip of the sword.

Forbidden actions:

  • Intentionally hitting forbidden targets (back of the head, spine, groin, foot/ankle).
  • Intentionally presenting their back to stop an opponent’s action.
  • Intentionally removing a piece of equipment during an exchange – their own or their opponent’s.
  • Hitting an unprotected and/or bare part of the body, uncovered due to equipment failure.
  • Hits with the crossguard.
  • Grabbing a sword’s blade with both hands.
  • Hits with hands or pommel.
  • Stomping the opponent’s feet, hits with legs, elbows or head.
  • Locking or striking the opponent’s joints against their natural movement.
  • Uncontrolled descent to the ground – sweeps, body slams, double leg throws, violent pushes etc..
  • Uncontrolled or wild swings that may reasonably result in injuries or damage.

Longsword scoring

  • 2 points:
    • Hits to the head
    • Stabs to the head and torso
    • Hits to the torso
    • Hits to the arm (wrist to shoulder)
    • Stabs to the arm (wrist to shoulder)
  • 1 point:
    • Hits to the hand (fingers to wrist)
    • Stabs to the hand (fingers to wrist)
    • Hits to the leg (below the  hipline)
    • Stabs to the leg (below the hipline)
  • Afterblow:
    • A successful afterblow removes a single point from the opponent’s scoring action (e.g. – hit to the head -> afterblow = 2-1 = 1 points; hit to the hand -> afterblow = 1-1 = no points)


Sabre scoring:

  • 2 points:
    • Hits to the head
    • Stabs to the head
    • Hits to the torso (top of shoulder included) 
    • Stabs to the torso
    • Hits to the weapon arm (entire arm)
    • Stabs to the weapon arm (entire arm)
  • 1 point:
    • Hits to the non-weapon arm (entire arm)
    • Stabs to non-weapon arm (entire arm)
    • Hits to the leg (below the hipline)
    • Stabs to the leg (below the hipline)
  • Afterblow:
    • A successful afterblow removes a single point from the opponent’s scoring action (e.g. – hit to the head -> afterblow = 2-1 = 1 points; hit to the arm -> afterblow = 1-1 = no points)

Fencing bouts procedure

Fencers are expected to be at their pools and elimination rounds from beginning to end, save in special circumstances (e.g. gear replacement due to failure). 

After the fencers’ gear is checked (at the start of the event, before pools start), and they are at starting positions, the Main judge calls for the start of the bout.

Protocol:

  • Fencers are called to the fighting area and the next bout is announced
  • Upon confirmation from both fencers, the main judge will call out “SALUTE”
    • The fencers salute each other and the judges.
  • When fencers are in their starting positions, the main judge will call out “READY?” and wait for confirmation – if both fencers are in their places and seem ready to fight, it counts as confirmation.
  • The main judge will call out “BEGIN,” “START,” “FENCE,” OR “FIGHT” to signal the beginning of the bout
  • If a glancing blow happens, the main judge may yell out “CONTINUE,” “INVALID BLOW,” or “GLANCING BLOW” to avoid fighter confusion.
  • When an end of exchange condition (EEC) is met, the main judge will call out “STOP” or “HALT”. EECs are:
    • A scoring hit is made and fencers have exited the fencing distance – more than one step is required to reach each other;
    • A scoring hit is made and there is no valid afterblow from the opponent within a fsingle tempo
    • A simultaneous hit
    • Оther scoring action is performed – ring out, disarm, wrestling control;
    • А scoring action followed by a non-scoring one is performed from one or both fencer;
    • A forbidden action is made;
      • If a fencer performs a forbidden action or receives a red card they receive 0 points and any scoring action performed by them is considered invalid.
    • Equipment failure or injury;
    • A call for a break by a fencer – it has to be stated clearly and in a safe manner outside fencing distance with arms raised;
    • A call for a break by a coach, camera operator or a scorekeeper if there is a safety
    • hazard present – must be stated clearly to the judge and explained afterwards.
    • If the judges are unable to score an exchange due to uncertainty after consultation  with the fencers, and/or video review they will call a no-exchange and the scorekeeper will write down – “no score”.
  • After each exchange, the fencers move safely and quickly back to their places.
  • If the call is clear, the Main judge announces it.
    • Otherwise the judges gather and discuss the exchange.
  • If the judges are uncertain of the exchange or a fencer protests the call, (by raising their hand) judges and fencers gather at the centre of the playing field.
  • Each fencer explains in brief their point of view (protesting fencer first) and then both move back to their places.
    • Video review can be requested once during a pool match and multiple times during the elimination phase.
    • The final decision always stays with the judges and the two of them must agree on it to score an exchange. The Main judge describes the exchange and calls the final result and the scorekeeper writes it down.
    • After an exchange happens and it is scored the fencers are at their starting positions. 
    • The “Ready?”, “Fence” commands are repeated and a new exchange begins.
  • When the time expires, the Chrono will call “LAST EXCHANGE,” and the exchange continues uninterrupted.

MATCH ADMINISTRATION

  • Matches in the pools will be fought to 10 points. In eliminations, they will be fought to 12 points.
    • Should a match end in equal points, fencers continue with exchanges until one of the fencers is awarded at least one point.
  • Pool matches will last a maximum of 5 minutes, and in eliminations, 7 minutes.
    • Time is only paused when:
      • Judges’ deliberations (including video review)
      • Equipment failure
      • Injury

Penalties

There are three levels of offences, and the fencers receive for each the following card:

Yellow card

● If the fencer is late for their fight by more than 30 seconds.

● Failing to stop a dangerous action before full application, excessive force.

● Blows to forbidden areas, forbidden degree of grappling and/or striking.

● Uncontrolled swings hitting the floor.

● Not following the judge’s commands swiftly.

● Throwing a mask, sword or other gear carelessly or aggressively on the floor.

● Not stopping quick enough after the “STOP”/”HALT” command.

Red card: 2 points for the opponent

  • If the fencer is late for their bout by more than 60 seconds.
  • Receiving a second yellow card for the same offence.
  • Receiving a third yellow card for different offences.
  • Committing any yellow card offence after a red card.
  • Insulting attitude and/or speech towards the judges and/or opponent.
  • Careless or purposeful endangerment of the judges, staff, other fencers and or guests.
  • Ignoring the commands of the judges.

Black card: loss of match

A black card has to be confirmed by the tournament manager. The tournament manager can directly disqualify a participant if they deem the behaviour too dangerous.

  • If a fencer is late for their bout more than 2 minutes (without a medical reason).
  • Receiving a second red card for the same offence.
  • Receiving a third red card for different offences.
  • Physical violence outside of the rules.
  • Purposeful use of force to injure within the rules.

The judges are not obliged to follow the progression and may issue any card at any time.

Yellow and red cards don’t transfer to the next match.

Any card other than yellow after a black card leads to disqualification from the tournament.

A judge may and should use verbal warnings before rules are broken, when they observe behaviour that is close to breaking them.