Offenses and Penalties

Offenses and penalties: 

Offenses and penalties are separated into four categories in acceding order of severity.  As the seriousness of the infraction increases so do the penalties for that offense. If the combatant receives a sanction, points will be awarded to their opponent.  Any phrase in which an offense occurs is deemed “invalid” and no score will be recorded for that phrase. 

If point based sanctions are ineffective or the infraction is of sufficient severity, the combatant may be removed from competition..

Offenses are marked during a match by the show of cards. The order and penalties associated with each are below: 

Technical offenses: 

these are offenses that are rule based and guard toward game play. These offensives are first given a verbal warning, then a white card with a second warning and information that the next infraction will incur a penalty or sanction. These offenses can incur up to but not beyond a yellow card. Any behavior that would exceed the yellow card sanction will fall under one of the next categories. 

Ring out: Combatants must keep both feet inside the combat ring at all times. If the entire foot leaves the ring this is a ring out. Any portion of the foot being inside the ring is not considered a ring out.

Counterattack/Attack without priority: If any combatant makes a touch without proper arming or attacks the opponent while the opponent has priority, it is considered to be a counterattack and will be invalid. If two touches are made simultaneously, only the combatant who had priority will receive a score. If there are more than three incidents of counterattack by a single combatant in a single match, the offense may be elevated to uncontrolled or reckless behavior.

Corps a Corps: If any part of the combatants’ bodies touch each other, a Corps a Corps will be called. There are two types of Corps a Corps: incidental and offensive. Incidental Corps a Corps are no fault, and the combatants will simply be reset to their lines, and no point will be awarded. If one combatant runs into the other due to their sole action (e.g., the opponent is stationary), the combatant who initiated the infraction will be reprimanded in the appropriate manner. Purposeful incidents can be elevated to higher level offenses like unsafe behavior or roughness.

Covering or switching target areas: If a combatant places their limb or hand in front of a higher scoring target to avoid the higher scoring touch, they will be in breach of this rule. In such cases, the point value of the intended target will be awarded. If a limb is held against or in contact with that target area, such as a hand, any contact with the part of the body that is on top will incur the same point value as the target area below the limb (e.g., a hand held to the chest in contact with the chest being struck will cost 5 points).

Gear not up to standards of integrity: If during the course of an event a combatant’s gear becomes damaged and is not repaired to the satisfaction of the referee, a sanction may be incurred. Depending on the piece of gear, a replacement may be allowed after a timeout is called. The replacement must be readily available and be able to be brought to the arena within 30 seconds. The Referee may allow time for replacement. If no replacement is readily available, a sanction may be incurred for the combatant. If no replacement is available, or a repair cannot be executed, the combatant will forfeit the match.

Heavy touch: If a combatant makes a touch with too much impact, they can be sanctioned. The final determination is solely up to the referee’s discretion, but generally, if a strike is seen as too hard, a heavy touch is committed. This can be determined by the confluence of several factors, including, but not limited to, the sound of the impact, the blade visibly bending, or pain behaviors in the combatant struck (e.g., wincing, rubbing the area struck, etc.). Heavy touch is considered to be unintentional. If there is intent involved, it rises to a higher level of offense.

Excessive interruption of combat: If a combatant continually asks the referee for clarifications that have been repeated, or makes an effort to stall between points in an effort to allow time to expire, they will be reprimanded by the referee. The clock in Lightfencing does not stop unless a timeout has been called.

Not arriving to the arena after three calls one minute apart: If a combatant fails to arrive at their designated arena after three calls one minute apart, they will be given a yellow card, and their opponent will begin the match with 3 points.

Unwarranted complaint: If a combatant makes a complaint to the referee that is unwarranted, that combatant will be sanctioned.

Starting combat before the Fight command is given/False starts: False starts will be given warnings. If they continue, a sanction of a yellow card will be given.

Minor offenses:

 These offenses are more serious offenses because they begin to create unsafe conditions, disruptions of combat, and erode the spirit of sportsmanship and good will. White cards will be given for these offenses immediately. 

Shoving, pushing or wrestling actions: Intentionally pushing, shoving, or otherwise using the body to attack the opponent is forbidden. This is true whether or not the opponent falls.

Removing the helmet before the end of the match: If a combatant removes their helmet for any reason before the end of the match without permission, they are in breach of this rule. If there is a good reason to remove one’s helmet (e.g., if a combatant’s glasses have fallen off inside their mask), the combatant must alert the referee and quickly resolve the issue.

Thrusts or stabbing actions: thrusts are forbidden in all circumstances. If a thrust is performed, regardless of whether it makes contact, it will be given a white card, to be elevated with repeated infractions. If a thrust connects to a protected area, a yellow card will be issued. If a thrust makes contact with the neck, throat, or groin area, it will be given a red card. Referees will have no tolerance for such actions, even if done in jest.

Leaving the arena without permission: Intentionally leaving of the combat area without permission will trigger a white card. This can be for any reason.

Excessive force: If a combatant is playing rough, striking hard, and being aggressive beyond the need for the game, they will be given a white card. The Referee shall decide in their sole discretion, how severe an infraction is depending on the situation.

Blind strike: If a touch is made without the ability of the combatant who has attacked with priority to see the target they are striking, they will be given a card and sanction equal to the severity of the infraction. This is left up to the referee’s sole discretion. All valid touches must be done within the eyesight of the combatant with priority. Blind strikes include, but are not limited to, attacking with one’s back turned toward the opponent, striking the back from the front position by “wrapping around” the shoulder or neck, or any other attack launched without the gaze of the combatant attacking.

Using the empty hand and arm to attack, grapple or block an attack: Using one’s empty hand or off hand to grab, block, or otherwise interact with any part of the opponent is considered illegal.

Feigning injury: If a combatant feigns an injury or otherwise makes it seem that they are hurt in any way when they are not, they will be sanctioned.

Uncontrolled, disorganized, or unsafe behavior: Any behavior that the referee deems out of control or reckless will receive a warning. The combatant will be sanctioned if they continue after the warning. Such behaviors include, but are not limited to, wild swinging of the weapon, circular lops made with the tip of the blade pointing to the opponent, and otherwise wild movements that place others at risk of injury.

Striking the opponent when they have fallen: If a combatant falls during combat, their opponent may not attack them while they are on the ground. The fallen combatant must return their feet as quickly as possible, and the opponent must wait until they return to their feet.

Refusal to comply with the officials: Combatants are expected to follow the directions and orders given to them by the officials. They are required to accept all officials’ calls regardless of whether they agree with them. If a combatant has questions on any calls during a match, they may approach the officials after the match has ended.

Major offenses: 

These are the most serious of offenses and pose the biggest threat to the success of any event. Combatants that commit these offenses threaten to create bad situation for all involved including audience and spectators. These offenses incur immediate sanction with no warnings given. These offenses are also often degrees of severity. As such, referees will be permitted to give either a yellow or red card depending on the situation. After repeated violations, the combatants will be removed from competition for the duration of the event. 

Violent, vindictive, or dangerous behavior: If a combatant displays any violent behavior, such as repeatedly attacking without priority, or if they show a vindictive attitude by increasing their aggression after they have lost or are behind in points, or if they perform a move that is dangerous to themselves, their opponent, the officials, and/or spectators, they will be immediately sanctioned. Red cards can be given at the referee’s sole discretion.

Unsportsmanlike conduct: Unsportsmanlike like conduct is any behavior that seeks to diverge from the principles of fair play and good will. Swearing, verbally abusing the opponent or the officials, and having emotional outbursts are all examples of such behavior.

Interfering with, disrupting, or threatening any official in the completion of their duties: Combatants are not permitted to argue with or question the referee or any official during a match. Any complaints or questions must be brought to the official after the fact and in a polite and calm manner.

Starting combat before the fight command and continuing combat after the halt command is given: If a combatant begins to fight before the fight command or continues to fight after the halt command, they will be sanctioned.

Disrupting order during combat: Any behavior that is intended to disrupt the game. Yelling, insulting, or moving in a chaotic fashion are all examples of behaviors that will trigger this sanction.

Disqualifying offenses: 

these actions are cause for immediate removal from competition and immediate disqualification for the duration of the event. These offenses are extended to include the spectators, coaches, officials, or anyone else attending the event. 

Intentional brutality: If a combatant is found to be intentionally trying to harm their opponent, or displays any behavior that might lead to that conclusion, they will immediately receive a black card and be removed from the entire event.

Refusing to fight: A combatant may not for any reason refuse to fight a duly entered and registered combatant in any event. Refusal to fight will result in an immediate black card and removal from the entire event.

Fixing fights: If any combatant purposefully loses or in any way manipulates their performance in service of agreements outside of the competition for monetary or other gain, they will immediately receive a black card and be removed from the entire event. Further action by the USA Lightfencing organization may be pursued dependent on the severity of the infraction.

Public intoxication: If any combatant, coach, official, or spectator attends while they are intoxicated with any substance, legal or otherwise, they will be removed from the event.

Gambling: Any participant, official, or spectator that is found to be gambling, betting, or in some way receiving benefits from the act thereof will be removed from the event and possibly banned from future competitions depending on the severity of the infraction.

Any criminal activity: If any participant, official, or spectator is found to be engaging in any criminal activity as defined by local, state, or federal law, they will be removed from the event, and the organizers will alert local law enforcement.