Bucks Historical Longsword CODE OF CONDUCT
(Adapted with permission from Philadelphia Common Fencers Guild code of conduct, by Connor Kemp-Cowell)
Members of Bucks Historical Longsword are a group of diverse peoples with the shared goal of collaborative and cooperative study and practice of historical european martial arts. Because of our duty to foster a healthy and inclusive culture while at practice, the following rules have been devised to aid us in this goal.
During Class
Always Train Safely:
We always strive to train in a manner that is safe and prevents injury. What we do is inherently dangerous, and the best way to prevent injury is to practice and learn in a cooperative manner and to be respectful to those around you. Also, if you have a physical condition that limits your ability to perform certain techniques, please let the instructors know. We are here to help each other learn and to enjoy HEMA safely.
Racism, Sexism, Homophobia, Transphobia, White Supremacy and Fascism will never be tolerated in this club:
Hema is for everyone.
Any actions, speech, or social media posts exuding the above mentioned ideology will result in ejection from Bucks Historical Longsword.
Respect the tools we use:
The simulators we use in HEMA, regardless of material, sharpness, or weight, are still dangerous tools. When drilling, sparring, or handling the weapons you own or are borrowing from the club, treat them and the others around you with the utmost caution, care, and respect.
Always practice consent in class:
With the games, techniques, and skills we are learning in class, we must remember that it is easy to fall into a speed and repetition of cutting that is normal for ourselves but might prove too harsh for our practice partners.
Before practicing a technique or game, Students and instructors must Always practice the technique/game/drill slowly and always with deliberate control. During this establishment of pace, the leader of drill must ask their partner if they are comfortable with the intensity and speed they are working with. This will allow us all to practice with confidence in ourselves and our partners, should both partners consent to an increase in pace, Deliberate control of actions must always be on the forefront of both partners’ minds.
Always practice consent while sparring:
When sparring, consent must be taken to a more serious level. Protective equipment allows us to train and learn at a greater intensity, but this should not make students or instructors lose control of their actions or speed up to a more dangerous or uncomfortable level than our partners. Free Sparring may only commence when the instructors have told class they may begin to. Before each student or instructor begins to fence, both parties must consent to fencing with each other, and agree to what intensity and speed they will be working at.
Example, “Hey John, wanna go three rounds?” “Sure Joan! Let's keep it light today, my wrist is feeling a bit sore from a hit I took in a tournament last weekend. If you could not aim for that spot too that would be great!” “Sounds like a plan John let's get gear on. ”
Do not "test" others' ability to perform the techniques, or try to “win” drills and sparring games.
During class, we provide just enough resistance to allow our training partners to practice the technique. Class time is not Free Sparring, and learning occurs most efficiently in an atmosphere of mutual cooperation. We do not actively resist our partners. Do not show off or practice other techniques during class time unless advised to do so by an instructor. Drills, technique practice, and even more competitive types of practice like sparring games are not meant to be "won" they're meant to help us learn parts of the system.
Do not disturb other students during class.
We are all striving to learn; each student has sacrificed his or her personal time and money to be here, and needs to have concentration to practice the material provided by the instructor and the lessons given by them. Do not distract others by joking or talking unnecessarily. We are all friends and enjoy each other's company, but we must save our camaraderie for before class, during water breaks, and after class.
Never teach other students unless you are told to do so by the instructor.
HEMA can be very complex and as a student, you may not be aware of all aspects of a particular lesson, or drill, or technique. Each student has committed to learning with our instructors, and though you may have good intentions, your advice may not be conducive to the lesson or the underlying principle of the drill.
Interjecting different techniques, and lessons on your own from other systems or martial arts as an answer to a problem we are trying to solve in class is great for yourself, But the meaning of the class and the instructors time dedicated to that class, is to teach directed material and to carefully divulge the inner workings of the system the club studies. Any left field injection of a random technique could serve to confuse and waste time better spent practicing.
Failure is a learning experience, do not take out your feelings on other students: Your relationship with failure must change if you want to progress in martial arts, this includes if you get upset or angry with your own failures. There is no excuse striking another student with excessive force in drilling, sparring, or any context period. We all want to be safe at class, go home safe, and have fun while we are practicing. There will be no tolerance for excessive force in class, free sparring, or in tournaments.