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.