The SCA’s Youth Martial program gives children from ages 6 through 17 the opportunity to participate in a kid-friendly version of adult armored and rapier combat. The program emphasizes courtesy, honor, and service as well as skill and safety. Boys and girls participate together, divided into three age brackets, Division 1: ages 6-9, Division 2: ages 10-13, and Division 3: ages 14-17.
At SCA events, youth fighters participate in a variety of tournaments and melees, ranging from one-on-one bouts to “Warlord” tourneys where youth fighters lead teams in melee battles. There are even tournaments to determine Youth Martial Champions, who serve as honor guards for their Baron and Baroness, Prince and Princess, or King and Queen.
At the Pennsic War and Gulf War, youth fighters in each of the age brackets compete in practices, tournaments, and battles with dozens of other fighters.
Society Youth Combat Marshal
Jeffery A. Currie (Lord Germanicus de Atlan)
[email protected] | additional Contact Info
Youth Combat Documents – (Handbook, Assembling Armor & Weapons, Forms, FAQ)
Photos & Videos
Photo overview & description
Videos:
Single Combat – Division 1
Single Combat – Division 2
Single Combat – Division 3
Gulf Wars Melee Team Battle
Pennsic War Castle Battle
Safety First
Before youth fighters are permitted to take part in tournaments and battles at SCA events, they must first demonstrate to the marshals that they understand the rules and are safe in the combat list.
Armor & Weapons
For Armored Combat, requirements for armor and weapons vary by division and by kingdom, but generally parents can armor youth combatants with standard athletic gear such as elbow and knee pads, athletic cups for boys, hockey or lacrosse helmets, and hockey gloves. Body armor and neck protection may need to be built by hand.
Armored Combat weapons can be made from a variety of materials. Rules may vary by Kingdom, but in general, swords and great weapons are built using a core of 3/4-inch Siloflex or PEX tubing, or 3/4- to 1-inch rattan (often called “shaved rattan”) covered in foam padding and duct tape. Shields can be made of wood, plastic, foam, aluminum, or an equivalent material.
(See the documents section for armor requirements and instructions on building armor and weapons.)
For Rapier Combat, requirements can vary by kingdom. Combatants wear fencing masks and have requirements for protective clothing for neck and torso. Kingdoms may choose to allow the use of commercially manufactured plastic training foils and epees, or metal weapons without sharp points, edges or corners.
Youth Martial Contacts by Kingdom
Not sure which kingdom you live in? Look up your kingdom.
- Æthelmearc – Email | Youth Combat
- Ansteorra – Email
- An Tir – Email for Armored Combat | Email for Rapier Activities
- Artemisia – Email
- Atenveldt – Email
- Atlantia – Email | Youth Combat webpage
- Avacal – Email
- Caid – Email | Youth Combat webpage
- Calontir – Email | Youth Combat webpage
- Drachenwald – Email
- Ealdormere – Contact the Marshal of Minor Combat
- East Kingdom – Email | Youth Combat website | Youth Rapier
- Gleann Abhann – Email | Youth Combat webpage
- Lochac – Email
- Meridies – Email | Kingdom Marshal’s page – scroll down for YC Rules and documents
- Middle Kingdom – Email | Youth Martial webpage
- Northshield – Email | Youth Combat webpage
- Outlands – no current Youth Combat program. Contact the Kingdom Earl Marshal for information or to urge adoption of a program.
- Trimaris – Email
- West Kingdom – Email | Youth Martial webpage (Armored & Rapier)