PLEASE NOTE: The information below was accurate for Gulf Wars XIX (2010) and is listed here for your reference only with the understanding it may change at any time.  This will be updated for Gulf Wars XX (2011) as soon as the information is available.

The Gleann Abhann Youth Combat Handbook can be found at here.

The schedule for Youth Combat can be found at SCHEDULE.

This should be a very exciting year for Youth Combat at Gulf Wars. Besides the usual classes throughout the week and tournament on Saturday, this year also offers, fort battles, bridge battles, and a 5 man melee tournament. See schedule attached to this page.

We hope that the youth combatants attending Gulf Wars will have a fun and safe year. If you have any questions, suggestions, or would like to volunteer, please contact the Youth Staff.

In Service,

Youth Combat Marshal in Charge

General information

This page is a general overview of expectations for the youth combat at Gulf Wars. For complete weapons and armor standards please refer to the Gleann Abhann youth combat handbook (attached). Please familiarize yourself the handbook before the war.

Gulf Wars draws Youth Combat fighters from Kingdoms all over the Known World. A reasonable attempt will be made to meet visiting Kingdoms' concerns, issues, and desires. If you have questions, concerns, suggestions or wish to volunteer please contact Bethany Bacon or the Marshal-in-Charge of the field.

• Open to

  • Youth ages 7 to 17.

• Inspections

  • Inspections will be required before participation in any battle, tournament, or other Youth Combat fighting activities at Gulf Wars. You must have your site medallion, your authorization card, and your Parent for inspection. If you don't have these items, you will not be allowed to participate.
  • Parent or legal Guardian will be required to sign paperwork and wavers at the youth combat field before inspection.
  • Inspection stickers must be worn prominently on the helmet.
  • Only one inspection is required for the war.
  • Inspections will start daily at 10am at the Youth Combat field across from Hastings Field.

Fighting Conventions

• Divisions

  • • Youth combat is open to children from ages 7 to 17
    • Wolf Division - age 7 to 9
    • Ram Division - age 10 to 12
    • Bear Division - age 13 to 15
    • Dragon Division - ages 16 and 17 may fight at the YC field. They use Gleann Abhann heavy weapons minimum standards, when fighting dragons only.
    • When fighting on the field with multiple age divisions, all combatants will fight to the conventions and blow calibrations of the youngest person on the field.

• Weapons

  • • See Gleann Abhann handbook for complete rules and weapon construction standards.
    • The Marshal in charge will remove from the field any weapon they deem unsafe for ANY reason. Including weapons being used in an unsafe manner or a manner it is not designed to be used.

  • Not Allowed:

    • Excessively Flexible Weapons
    • Fiberglass spears
    • Low profile thrusting tips
    • Projectile weapons or hand thrown weapons
    • Knives or daggers of any sort
    • Weapons with cutting and/or smashing surface at both ends
    • Butt spikes
    • Any weapon that is not properly padded.

  • Allowed

    • Single-handed and two handed weapon
    • Spear maximum length 7 1/2 feet
    • Axe maximum length 5 feet
    • Glaive maximum length 6 feet
    • All shields must be padded on the edges

• Actions

  • Not Allowed:

    • Closing one's eyes or turning one's head to avoid engagement.
    • Killing someone on the ground - Fallen opponents must be allowed to regain a defensive position.
    • Grappling
    • Declared Kills from Behind (DKFB).
    • Thrusts to the sides, top and back of helm.

  • Allowed:

    • Directed Touch Face Thrust. - The minimum effective thrusting blow to the face shall be a directed touch and the maximum shall be substantially lighter than to other parts of the body.

• Armor

  • See handbook for specific armor standards for each division.

    • Helm - an attempt at period headgear appreciated.
    • Hand protection required, Gloves and half gauntlets made of rigid leather or plastic are required for weapons with basket hilts. Rigid leather full gauntlets or hockey gloves are required for any weapon without a basket hilt.
    • Medium leather kidney protection is required.
    • Neck, elbow, knee and groin protection is also required.

• Calibration

  • • The Marshal in charge will remove from the field any person acting in an unsafe or un-chivalrous manner. This includes, but is not limited to, using excessive force or striking with the intent to injure an opponent.
    • When fighting on the field with multiple age divisions, all combatants will fight to the conventions, weapons and blow calibrations of the youngest person on the field.

• Engagement

  • The person you want to hit must know you are there and they must, through their actions, convey that knowledge to you. You must have one or more of the following to have legal engagement before hitting an opponent on the melee field.
    • Line engagement - Part of a wall or organized line of fighters. Any part of an entire line is engaged with the opposing entire line and they are to know that they may be struck by anyone in that line.
    • Front180 - This means that you are in the front of your opponent�s shoulder/hips.
    • Eye Contact, defensive recognition, or verbal acknowledgement are also legal engagement.

  • Chain of Command and Appeal

    • The Chain of Command and Appeal is laid out below, in descending order from highest to lowest authority:
    • Gleann Abhann Crown
    • Marshal-in-Charge of the War
    • Gleann Abhann Youth Combat Marshal-in-Charge
    • Youth Combat Marshal of the field.