BROAD GOALS

  • Create and disseminate the world’s greatest sword-based spectator sport

  • Create and disseminate the world’s most authentic lightsaber-inspired fencing.

OTHER GOALS

  • Create a home for people not interested in traditional physical activities

  • Achieve gender parity

 CONCRETE GOALS

  • Incorporate into or form a partnership with the United States Fencing Association by 2023

  • Hold an international competitive event by 2025

  • Enter the Olympics by 2032

AESTHETIC VISION

The Lightspeed brand is designed to appeal to all age groups and people of many different interests, including those enjoying traditional and non-sword-based sports. It is also designed to stand apart from other light-based fencing organizations (LBFOs).

the starbat & the flight motif

The Lightspeed Saber Starbat is evocative of a ship hyperjumping through space. This sets Lightspeed apart from other LBFOs like TSL and Ludosport, which have a “heavy cavalry” look and “dojo” look, respectively. This sets us firmly in the future, and helps to evoke speed and modernity.

Terminology also reflects this design choice, as we preferentially use terms like “base”, “squadron”, and “fleet” to describe our members and membership structure.

SPEED, AGILITY, AND MODERNITY

While Lightspeed does not ban or discourage costumes, the organization’s goal is to adopt and encourage a sleek, modern look. This is to be achieved through

  • Reduced armor requirements

  • Standardized armored jerseys

  • Eventual adoption of visored helmets over the traditional fencing mask

AESTHETIC STANDARDS

To achieve a strong, professional look, we have adopted a set of standards for the presentation of the sport. For most situations, these are guidelines rather than rules, however, there is an expectation that they should be followed as much as possible for any official competitive and non-competitive events:

  • Practices and competitions should occur at night or indoors with controlled lighting.

  • Sabers should be in good working order and shine brightly.

  • When posing in photos or during a bout, fencers should not touch their saber blades while illuminated.

GAMEPLAY VISION

We desire to create a truly watchable and spectacular sword-based sport. To do that, we must achieve the following targets:

  • Speed & intensity

  • Clean and clear fighting

  • Frequent blade play

Lightspeed is already renowned for its speed and intensity; so the areas in which we need work are in the latter two targets.

Clean and clear fighting is essential to the enjoyment of an audience and for the assuredness of the true victor. This must be achieved via well-trained referees and well-trained competitors.

Blade play— defense— is essential to a lightsaber-inspired sport. This must be achieved via well-trained referees, well-trained competitors, and strong teaching programs.