ARMA Bryan/College Station

Summary

Any vigorous martial arts practice will present some safety issues. The ARMA Bryan/College Station has an established set of rules and practice procedures which allow us to explore RMA with intent and with safety. It is just as important to be conscious of avoiding injuring another as you are of being injured. Other components of safety is proper maintenance of equipment, and being mentally alert.

Above all else, we strongly encourage the development of self-discipline because no protective gear or safety procedure is a replacement for control and respect. At all times, be aware that your safety, and more importantly, the safety of your training partners, is in your hands.

Equipment

In order to engage in sparring or in two-person drills, the following equipment is required to be worn: head protection, hand protection, and chest protection required for females. Males are also highly encouraged to wear a cup.

• Head protection - Typically consists of a three weapon fencing mask, though hockey and lacrosse masks can also be used.  In order to be used as head protection any product must protect the face as well as the sides and top of the head from blows as well as thrusts.  Additionally, coverage of throat and the back of the head is encouraged.  Historically accurate, or reproduction, helms may be worn but are generally not recommended with use against wasters because they easily damage the waster.

• Hand protection - The typical hand protection is a pair of gloves.  The minimum standard that will be accepted is leather work/welding gloves.  A glove of more padding is desired.  These can range from fencing gloves, to lacrosse or even motocross gloves.  Different compromises in protection and maneuverability are offered by each and you should pick what feels most comfortable and protective for you.  In order to be used as hand protection a product must cover the metacarpals (back of the hand), knuckles, and at least to the first joint of the finger. Full hand coverage of the hand including the wrists is strongly recommended.  Historically accurate armored gauntlets may also be worn, but are not recommended for reasons mentioned above and the possibility of injury when grappling or striking.

• Chest protection - Chest protectors used in sport fencing will almost always be used, and is required for females who wish to participate. The male equivalent is also available.  Historically accurate chain mail or gambesons may not be substituted for this product.  Historically accurate plate mail can be used, but is not recommended for reasons of safety and equipment maintenance mentioned above.

• Cups - Highly recommended for males and can be found at local stores.  Those who decide not to wear one do so at their own folly.

• Elbow/knee pads - Are recommended and can be bought at local stores.  Skating pads are generally acceptable.

• Shin guards/arm pads - May be used and can be found at local stores.

All equipment shall be checked before practice for maintenance.  Any piece found to be cracked, unstable, deficient, or in any other way unsuitable may not be used. Topics and articles on the various pros and cons of each equipment type, and even using no safety equipment at all, can be found on the sites and forums of the Association for Renaissance Martial Arts (ARMA), Historical European Martial Arts Coalition (HEMAC), Sword Forum International (SFI), Historical European Martial Arts Alliance (HEMAA), and others, but this is the equipment that will be used here. Before any substitute can be used it must be reviewed by the leadership and members to assess safety, and if rejected will no be allowed for group practice.

Training Tools 

There are various forms of training tools that we will use, and in order to maintain safety the following safety procedures have been established:

•  Foam - Some of the hafted weapons like the staff, spear, or halberd may have foam around the shaft as an added protection.  This foam shall be inspected before use in every practice to see if the foam is loose or has degraded.  Loose foam can be re-attached and used the same day.  Degraded foam must be replaced and the tool cannot be used until it is replaced.

• Rubber - Rubber training weapons, or rubber parts thereof, shall be checked before every practice for tears.  Small tears are acceptable due to the nature of the material, but any tear larger than 25% of the section that the tear is in will make the weapon unsafe and unsuitable for our purposes.  The weapon will no longer be used in group practice.

• Wasters - Both wood and plastic wasters require the same type of maintenance.  Before each practice all weapons are to be examined for burrs, splintering and cracks.  Burrs and splintering are to be sanded with medium grit sandpaper, and can be used the same day that repairs are made.  Depending on the nature of the crack, repairs are possible, but the waster cannot be used until after repairs are successfully made.  Some cracks will call for immediate rejection for group use.  The best way to avoid cracks and splintering is to make sure that your wooden wasters are oiled regularly.  Regularly should be defined as every 3-6 months.  Linseed oil is generally used, but other oil types are acceptable.

• Blunts - Blunted steel training swords can be used, but will generally be used for solo practice.  When used in a group setting they must be checked before each practice for burrs and cracks.  Burrs may be removed with a combination of filing and sandpaper, and may be used the same day.  Any crack will be grounds for immediate rejection of any use. Blunts should be meticulously maintained with oil and sanding to maintain safety to all involved.

All safety checks shall take place before the start of practice.  Any deficiencies shall be repaired (if applicable) before use.   Articles and forum topics on maintenance of equipment can be found at the sites listed in the safety equipment section.  You are also advised to seek more detailed maintenance information from your equipment vendor. If any of the equipment is believed to be unsafe for any other reason then it will be reviewed by the leadership and members as mentioned above. If that equipment is rejected then it will not be used until repairs (if applicable) can be made.  If a tool breaks or cracks during freeplay you should stop immediately.  If you are unsure as to the condition of the tool in freeplay you should stop immediately and evaluate the weapon.

Freeplay vs. Sparring

It is important to understand that there is a difference between these two concepts.  The purpose of sparring is to win; sparring is about going all out.  That is generally not the approach that we take here because such a mind set causes one to move faster, harder, and to be unconcerned with the safety of your partner. 

Freeplay, on the other hand, is an opportunity to practice the techniques that we have learned in a non-choreographed environment.  We aren't trying to beat an opponent; instead we are trying to find the correct time and way to use a given technique.  During freeplay you should always be aware of your partner's safety as well as your own.

Here at the ARMA we believe that freeplay is one of the greatest training opportunities that we have for the reasons mentioned above and also because it is the closest that we will get to the situation for which these techniques were originally designed.  We are able to do this because of the principles found in the ARMA Credo. 

• Respect for History and Heritage: We need to appreciate that the skills that we are trying to resurrect and master were designed by men who used them to stay alive and take the lives of others as a matter of course.
• Sincerity of Effort: Remember why you're at practice, to learn the fighting arts of Europe.  We all enjoy this art, but it isn't a joke nor is it a game.
•  Integrity of Scholarship: For those that come from other martial art backgrounds.  As you develop interpretations for techniques make sure you stay true to our sources.  While the human body will move according to the same principles anywhere in the world, if a technique does not call for a Yama Arashi then don't put one in there.
• Appreciation of Martial Spirit: Understand that the center of this art is violence. Respect experienced practitioners and each other. 
• Cultivation of Self-Discipline: Being able to control the physical aspects of how hard, when, and where you hit someone is an important part of gaining self-discipline.  That being said, it is only one part of total self discipline.  We also require the development of both mental and emotional discipline.

Considerations for Freeplay

Freeplay is encouraged at all activities for the reasons mentioned above; however, there are certain situations where you need to evaluate your ability, or your partner's, to participate in freeplay.  

• If you have a existing injury (i.e. any sprain, broken finger, etc.)  you should evaluate your ability to keep yourself safe because there is a risk of compounding that injury.  Setting limitations before starting freeplay might be a good idea. (i.e. no throws or ground fighting)

• If you find that you are physically tired to the point where you are not able to focus on your own, or your partner's safety.  Being this tired slows your reaction time so you will be unable to avoid getting injured. Also, when tired you are in less control of yourself, and might not be able to keep someone else from being injured. Take a small break to recover before continuing freeplay.

• If you are so over excited that you will not able to keep the safety of your training partner in mind.  It is very easy for someone to get injured in this situation.  Take a small break and calm down before continuing freeplay.

• If you are ever uncomfortable with or don't feel up to freeplay that day, then you should not participate.  You should also point out if others are trying to pressure you.  Once recognized, peer pressure will not be tolerated.

Never be afraid to tell your training partner that they are hitting you too hard, or that they need to calm down.

Consistent dangerous behavior may lead to suspension or expulsion from group practice.

 In Case of Injury

Certain documentation will be required in order to participate in practice.  You will be required to provide:

• Valid Photo ID
• Proof of Insurance  
• Signed Waiver

If you would rather leave a copy of your insurance card with the ARMA president at TAMU that is an option as well, but you are encouraged to be responsible for yourself. Also, in order to participate you will need to sign the ARMA waiver. If, in spite of all measures, you are injured to the point where you need hospitalization, 911 will be called and an ambulance shall take you to the hospital.