Not Your Average Tournament

The tournament will take on a different and previously untried format. Typically smallsword tournaments simulate salle play or a perhaps a duel. No attempt has been made to compete in the third context of swordplay training,  self defense.  Inspired by Cowboy Action shooting as done by the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS) participants will compete in a structured self defense scenario.  They will be required to assess and deal with threats under pressure from one or more opponents in the quickest and most effective manner.  Score will be based on the length of time required to neutralize the threat with time penalties for damage received in the process.

Consider this . . . .

Small Sword Assassin Scenario (SSAS)

The year 1740 . The location Edinburgh.  After an evening meal and a pint you leave the pub and saunter up the narrow Worlds End Close toward the High Street only to be confronted by the paid assassin hired by the  brother of a man you killed in a duel yesterday.  He draws his iron hilted 30 inch colichmarde as he issues you the obligatory challenge. "Fill your hand bastard or die where you stand " As your left hand steadies the scabbard, your right instinctively seeks the sure purchase of the twisted wire grip of your smallsword . Out of the corner of your eye you see he has brought back up.  He rushes toward you and the fight is on . . . .

Participants need to have standard fencing gear including:
Fencing mask
Smallsword
Gloves  for both hands
Fencing Jacket
long pants
athletic shoes
gender specific  protection
plastron (recommended)

no exposed skin
all weapons will be inspected for condition and safe construction.