Division 2 and 3:
The mininum diameter of PVC used in weapon construction has changed from .5 to .75 ID. This eliminates 1/2 inch diameter weapons in those divisions.

Siloflex weapons are now being permitted on an experimental basis. It seems to work pretty well for swords 36 inches and less, but for two handed weapons it is just too whippy. Anyone who has ideas about a safe way to make it more rigid, please contact Sir Callidus.

Division 3 now has 3 authorizations - single handed weapons, two handed weapons and a third category - face thrusts... if your local youth fighters plan on using face thrusts they must be authorized by a youth marshal.

Marshals- The same authorization procedures can be used for this as in the other authorizations. When using the current authorization forms just cross out "spear" and write in "face thrust".

CLARIFICATIONS

Helmets- The rules state that the head must be fully covered. This is generally not a problem with period helmets, but many hockey and baseball helmets leave the back of the neck exposed even with a gorget. I would like to remind everyone that if this is the case a back flap of some hard material such as heavy leather or plastic must be attached to the back of the helmet. We run into this problem every year at Pennsic where the Midrealm and East kingdom are more stringent in this than we are.

Charges in melees Unlike heavy fighter conventions we do not have a convention limiting charges to 5 steps or 3/4 speed. The reason for this is because unlike heavy fighters, youth combatants are not supposed to try to knock each other down during a charge. If youth fighters are slamming into other in melees, the marshals should call a hold and stop it no matter how fast they are moving.