We’re still developing this ruleset. Try it and let us know what you think!

LS Knife, or knife fencing, is a contest between two competitors simulating knife “combat”. Fencers fight until the first touch is made, after which the fight is paused and the referees decide who earns points, if any. The fight then resumes. The first fencer to reach match point wins, or, the fencer with the most points at the end of time wins.

A limited amount of hand-to-hand manipulation is allowed. Only “clean hits” score.

PARTICIPANTS

Open to anyone aged 14 and up and any gender or weight class.

EQUIPMENT

• Participants must wear:

  • Head protection & neck protection (fencing mask or equivalent)

  • Padded gloves (hockey, lacrosse, or equivalent)

• Weapon must be an electronic Mimic T-16 (by AkuStrike) or equivalent (will be provided by venue)

SCORING

Scoring is achieved by either stabbing or slicing the opponent hard enough such that the electronic knife sounds off. Only attacks to legal target areas are valid (see below). A hit is worth 1 point. Double hits, where both fencers are struck simultaneously or in near succession, are worth zero.

AFTERBLOW

Upon the first hit of an encounter landing, the struck fencer may make one attempt to double with their opponent, thus negating their point. For the double to be valid, the hit must land within one attack, one footstep, two seconds, or 180° of body rotation, whichever comes first. The opponent is free to defend themself, dodge, or move out of range.

TARGET AREA

The entire body is valid for attack except the groin and the feet. The opponent’s knife is technically a valid target but it is worth zero. The head and torso have special rules. See below.

ATTACKS

• LEGAL:

  • Slicing to any valid target area.

  • Stabbing to any valid target area EXCEPT the head and torso.

• 🚩ILLEGAL:

  • 🚩Stabs to the head and torso.

  • 🚩Attacks where the knife sounds for more than one pulse (for safety).

MANIPULATION

• LEGAL:

  • Pushing, pulling, and deflecting of the opponent’s arms, hands, and weapon.

• 🚩ILLEGAL:

  • 🚩Manipulation of the opponent’s torso, head, shoulder, or legs.

  • 🚩GRABBING the opponent in any way.

  • 🚩Punching, kicking, tripping, shoving, headbutting, etc.

COMPETITION FORMAT

(Subject to change)

• Combination competition format consisting of round robin pools, followed by elimination brackets.

• Pools:

  • First to 3 points

  • 1 minute fight time

• Brackets:

  • First to 6 points

  • 2 minutes fight time

• Finals:

  • First to 9 points

  • 3 minutes fight time