Youth Combat

Baronial Championship

Dragon’s Laire holds its youth combat championship tournament at our Last Chance event, usually held in early October or late September. The current champion is Dunkin of Doenuts. As with all baronial champions, the youth combat champion wears the regalia of the office, a yellow weapons belt and a sword, and stands as a member of the baronial court. The regalia is awarded at court and passes from champion to champion. Each champion is expected to add their own personal touch to the regalia before it passes on.

What are Psiloi?

At Dragon’s Laire we have another level of recognition for young fighters. Senior combatants, ages 12 through 17 can earn the title of Psiloi. To earn this title a youth must:

Acquire their own armor and weapons,
Qualify as an apprentice youth combat marshal,
Complete a service project developed by themselves and approved by the youth combat marshal,
Demonstrate proficiency and chivalry on the field,
Be recommended by the marshal.

Once all five conditions have been met, they shall be named a Psiloi. As Psiloi they shall wear as a badge a braided red and black cloth rope around their neck.

Current Psiloi

Dunkin of Doenuts

Alan Gordon

Youth combat is an armored combat sport for youths between the ages of 4 and 17. Using basic protective equipment and weapons made of PVC pipe padded with foam, our young people can experience heavy SCA combat. The emphasis is on learning the art of combat and chivalrous conduct.

The rules for youth combat can be found at www.antir.sca.org. Click on the Combat link under An Tir Library. Go to the Combat Shelf and look for the Book of Boffer. This is the January, A.S. XXXVI edition. Like most manuals it does not cover all situations. Please bring your questions to the local marshals for youth combat.

You do not need to gear up before you give combat a try. The barony has a supply of loaner equipment which is available at fighter practice. All participates are encouraged to build and maintain their own armor and weapons, but only after they have decided to pursue the sport.

Before participating in combat a signed wavier and medical form must be completed and on file with the local marshal. These forms are available at practice from the marshal. New fighters will be briefed on the rules by the marshal.

How do I authorize?
Unlike heavy combat, youth combat marshals are active marshals providing training as well as insuring safety. Once the marshal feels the new combatant has obtained a safe level of skill, they will be issued a baronial authorization card. This card is presented at events to show that they have completed the basic requirements as a combatant and are authorized by their local marshal to participate in youth combat.

In the Archives: Check out young Alan's Instructions for Boffer Construction. This detailed document is easy to follow and we are proud to present it here.

Youth Combat

Currently seeking a new officer