OK, so we're not entirely as crazy as we look. We have a few rules. Not many by the standards of some, but a few.

     There is absolutely no thrusting alowed. Shinai tips are roughly the size of a quarter and VERY hard. Eyes could be lost and bones might be cracked.

     DO NOT take intentional shots at someone's head. Aside from being very painful it is exceedingly dangerous. If you do get hit in the head, however, it is up to you wether you will take it as a hit or not. You could take the shot, or disregard it if you believe it was accidental.

     This is a hot issue every week. People will complain about the smoking shots they receive from various individuals. There are several factors that figure into power but the two main ones are intention and speed. If someone is not expecting to hit sombody they will probably not pull their shot before it strikes. This can be painful, but it is accidental. Another example is when one warrior is faced with multiple opponents. They will naturally speed up their strikes, blocks, and parries to meet the incoming blows. Bottom line, be CAREFUL when approaching someone faced with 2 or more enemies.

     You may notice that our fighters don't take every shot they are hit with, this is because we have understood GAUNTLET regions on our bodies. Gauntlets are considered to extend from the bend of the elbow to the fingertips and from the ankle to the toes. Now keep in mind that even though shots that land in gauntlet regions do not typically count you may not intentionally block with them or you will lose the corresponding limb. If you have any other questions as to where shots are legal or what happens when you are hit in certain areas, click here for more detailed explanation and diagrams.

     This is a sore subject among some of our fighters. "Fly Fishing" is when you hold your shinai on the bottom part of the handle (bottom half) with only one hand. Some fighters will not accept shots from fly fishing due to the fact that no sword would be able to either be weilded as such or do any significant damage if it were to hit.

     It's a matter of courtesy and honor on the filed that ANY backstab (hit from behind that you did not know was coming) counts as an automatic kill. It is also a matter of courtesy that if you are going to hit someone from behind that you make it a light shot or touch. There is no need to strike at full power from behind. Additionally, if you are hit from behind, DO NOT whirl and slash at what's behind you, this could cause injury to the person who got you.