Authorizing Adults to Spar with Youth
- Sparring with youth combat participants is considered an advanced weapon style.
- Two marshals are required, a rapier marshal with a youth sparring authorization and a youth rapier marshal.
- The preferred method for conducting this authorization would be to include at least one experienced youth combatant as a sparring partner. If a youth is not available a experienced youth rapier marshal may stand in.
- Candidate has authorization partner calibrate their expected level of calibration for each division. This is done with three strikes, one to the leg, body and head of the candidate.
- The successful candidate must demonstrate superior control, showing the ability to maintain proper calibration levels for all age divisions during sparring.
- Receiving this authorization allows the fighter to spar with all 3 divisions. The individual will not be considered a youth marshal and, as such, does not perform armor or weapons inspections, supervise youths fighting, nor sign off on youth authorizations.
- Members of the Order of Defense do NOT receive an automatic authorization upon elevation.
- Once authorized, a fully warranted youth marshal would still need to be present whenever sparring with youth occurs. All rules concerning background checks and two-deep policies still apply.
- Sparring with youth is limited to one-on-one combat (one youth vs. one authorized adult sparring partner).
- Sparing is performed as training with the intent of teaching defensive and/or offensive skills to the youth.