As of 2021, all squadron leaders must pass the basic rules exam.

As of 2025, Lightspeed has adjusted from the 1,2,3 scoring system to 1,3,5; in general, if it was worth 2 before, it is now 3, and if it was worth 3 before, it is now 5. Please keep this in mind as some materials, videos, and exams may be out of date.

SUMMARY

The 2024-2025 Season 9 rules implement Tano Saber, make Ren Saber more competitive, and remove many strict power & safety rules in favor of greater referee flexibility, while maintaining objective standards (see the complete rules manual).

SCORING (visual guide)

Direct contacts (worth 1 to 5 pts)

  • First Contact Bodyshot: 1 point

  • Headshot: 3 points

  • Counterattack: 5 points

  • Clean Bodyshot: 3 points

Indirect contacts

  • Always 1 point

Other scoring situations

  • Simultaneous: 0 pts

  • Messy/ambiguous exchange: 0 pts

  • Out of bounds: 3 pts

  • Headshot Priority: 1 pt

  • General Priority: 2 pts

  • Concession: 1 pt

TARGET

  • Anywhere on the fencer’s body, including head, legs, fingers, toes, clothing or armor, and the hilt of their weapon…

  • EXCEPTION: the groin, regardless of gender or whether a cup is worn (is a cardable violation)

ILLEGAL MOVEMENTS & POSITIONS (visual guide)

  • No point-attacks (ie thrusts)

  • No Extended Point Positions (ie point-in-line)

  • Incidental physical contact only

  • No upward swings to anywhere below the waist

STANDARD PLAY AREA

  • One 30 by 15 foot rectangle (30’x15’)

FIGHT TIMES, PERIODS, ROUNDS, & MATCHPOINTS

Match points and match times may vary depending on the needs of the tournament:

  • Pool bout / sparring match:

    • First to 10-16 points or highest score after 90-120 seconds.

  • Elimination match:

    • First to 24-32 points or highest score after 3-4 minutes, fought in two periods.

    • Change period after the first fencer reaches the halfway point OR on reaching the halfway time, whichever comes first.

  • Semifinals / finals / championship match:

    • Best of 3 rounds, 10-20 points each

    • Or 3 periods of 10-15 points

  • 30-60s break and side switch between periods and rounds

EQUIPMENT

REN SABER

  • The quillons, as well as the entirety of the guard, are considered inert, and therefore can be used to block attacks.

  • Indirect attacks that land on the hilt, gloves, or forearms over the quillons are considered blocked (usually as a result of the flexibility of the Lightspeed blade) and therefore do not score, are inert, and can be followed up with a counterattack by the defender.

  • The quillons may be used to hold the opponent’s blade and deliver a Direct Counterattack.

TANO SABER

  • Two unguarded sabers maxing out at 9.5” hilt and 34” blade may be used concurrently for offense and defense.

  • Only one saber may be used at a time to attack.

NOVICE MODIFICATIONS (OBSOLETE)

To ensure that Lightspeed Saber is as accessible as possible, special novice restrictions may be in place for certain tournament levels for at least some portion of the tournament. Novice modifications usually apply to novice and open tournaments. See below:

  • No pommeling— The dominant hand gripping the weapon may not occupy any space greater than 6.5” below the top of the emitter. Two-handed grips are legal and the off-hand may grip below this level. (Your saber will be marked with tape to denote where your limit is).

  • No excessive sweeping— No attack may strike the ground by virtue of its momentum or power. “Skipping attacks” off the ground intended to strike the side of the shoe do not fall under this rule and are legal to execute. Otherwise, tapping the floor, touching the floor as part of a defensive maneuver, or any other non-attack reason to touch the saber to the ground is legal.

  • Attacks should not chamber or “wind up” unnecessarily.

  • Taunting— physical or verbal— is not allowed. This includes excessive screaming and shouting.