Houston Stick Fighting Association
© Houston Stick Fighting Association 2024
Rules
HSFA is an independent association
of martial artists with the motto
“Elevate your Martial Arts Skills in a
Combative Environment.” Our goal
is to improve our skills, make new
friends and learn from our
experiences through simulated
combat.
All participants must abide by these
Principles and Bylaws of the
Houston Stick Fighting Association,
without exception. Safety is first!
All members and participants must
treat each other in a respective
manner and exhibit a friendly
attitude towards each other all at all
times. Any deviation from this
principle of brotherhood and friendly
atmosphere may result in
termination of membership in the
HSFA.
Membership
Membership in our association is open to
martial artists from all backgrounds
including, but not limited to, Escrima,
Arnis, Kali, Kobudo, European Fencing,
Western Martial Arts, Renaissance Martial
Arts, Kendo, Iaido and Kenjutsu.
All participants in any combative
tournaments organized by the HSFA
must be first be a member of the
Houston Stick Fighting Association and
agree to abide by these Principles and
Bylaws in order to
participate.
Purpose
The purpose of the HSFA is to organize
combative tournaments referred to as
“gatherings” once per calendar quarter so
that HSFA members can test their skills in
a combative environment. There will be
no judges, no referees and no trophies.
Each participant must certify that he/she
is in good overall health and physical
condition in order to participate in any
gathering and have the necessary
protective gear and equipment in order
to participate.
Equipment
All protective gear (headgear, eye
protection, gloves, etc.) and all equipment
(rattan or wooden sticks or other
weapons, padded sticks, padded knives,
rubber knives and shields) must be in
good working condition before each and
every match.
Required gear: Headgear, gloves, and
groin protection (preferably a Canete
helment or Fencing Mask and LAMECO
protective gear or equivalent) are
required for the impact weapons
divisions. Elbow and knee pads are highly
recommended for fighting with sticks
made of rattan or wood. Pads on the
forearms and shins are also highly
recommended.
Types of Matches
Single Blade: Poly/Aluminum trainiers
will be treated as live blades.
Double Blade: Poly/Aluminum trainiers
will be treated as live blades.
Single Stick: Impact weapons/Rattan
Double Stick: Impact weapons/Rattan
Single Knife: Poly/Aluminum/wooden
trainers
Double Knife: Poly/Aluminum/wooden
trainers
Esapda y Daga/Sword & Shield: Stcik
and knife are treated as blades.
Staff vs Staff: Any weapon 4 ft or longer.
Uneven Weapons: Chains, whips,
nunchucks, tonfas, ect…
Empty Hands: Striking, kicking, grapplnig
Illegal Targeting Areas
Thrusting to the throat or neck is
prohibited. There will be no butt strikes,
puno strikes or pommel strikes to the
neck area. Attacks to the spine including
the back of the neck are also not allowed.
Grabbing the mask is prohibited. Bad
sportsmanship, reckless behavior, fake
injury, or illegal contact and techniques
may result in forfeiture of membership.
About
The Houston Stick Fighting Association ("HSFA") founded in 2006 is an association for like-
minded martial artists that engage in simulated combat to to test and improve their skills in
the blade-based and stick-based fighting arts. It was founded by Jonathan Bolton and Joseph
Galleon.
Membership in HSFA is open to martial artists of all styles, all systems, of all ages, from
beginner to advanced levels.
HSFA is governed by a set of Principles and Bylaws that are posted on this website. Affiliate
organizations and individual HSFA members are expected to read, understand and comply
with the Principles and Bylaws or they will not be able to participate in our organization.
In the HSFA, members choose the rules and level of contact that they will participate in.
Matches are a set time limit (usually 2 minutes) and the match will end when time has
expired or when one of the fighters submits. Divisions include bladed weapons, impact
weapons and unmatched weapons. However, a participant may also fight without any
weapon.
Members of the HSFA are striving to develop and improve their skills through simulated
combat to see what works and what does not with a resisting opponent. Along the way, we
build friendships and camaraderie with our sparring partners and share our respective arts
with each other.
All HSFA members must fill out a RELEASE FORM for each of our quarterly Gatherings.