UPDATING THIS SECTION FINALLY! MAR 2026

BASICS

PLAY AREA

The standard Lightspeed Saber play area is a 30x15 foot rectangle. Rectangles are the standard arena shape for all Lightspeed Saber matches. This shape provides room for powerful actions, side-stepping, and an enjoyable and easy viewing experience for the audience and referees.

WEAPON DIMENSIONS

The weapons are designed to be balanced against each other so that they may coexist in the same competitive environment. Each has slightly different rules governing their behavior.

TARGETING

Most of the body, as well as the weapon and any clothing worn, is a legal target area.

The feet and groin are illegal targets, regardless of gender or protection worn.

SCORING

Lightspeed Saber uses an asymmetric scoring system. This means that points are earned based on multiple factors, such as accuracy, bladework, target, speed, and timing. This gives us the ideal combination of good combat principles, technique, and intensity.

To score in Lightspeed fencing, you must be the first to land a touch in the encounter. From there, there are four scoring types that can be rewarded:

Featured

The Bodyshot solely emphasizes speed. Simple to perform, but not worth very much.

The head tends to be a more distant target, but it’s worth more. Headshots reward boldness, good risk-assessment, and risk-taking.

What you may lack in speed and boldness to score headshots you can make up for in blade technique. Counterattacks emphasize skill and dedicated practice.

Clean Contacts emphasize agility and/or timing, in order to hit and not be hit.

REDUCTIONS

A fencer under attack may attempt to block the attack or otherwise reduce its value. If the defender is struck but at least partly blocked the attack, then the value of that attack is reduced to one. This is called an Indirect Hit.