Resources for Youth Fighters and Their Parents

Who’s having more fun?

We hope you enjoy your time with us in Youth Combat!

Youth — remember to fight with honor and courtesy to your opponents.

Parents — thank you for supporting your young fighter, and the East’s youth combat program as a whole.

A Note About Calibration

Youth combat is a sport — it’s vigorous, and at times it can look fierce, but it’s important to remember that we’re playing a game.

Making this a successful experience depends on being safe with one another. Proper calibration, making weapons to-standard, and following the armor standards will help everyone participate in a safe and respectful way.

The Parents’ Role

Learn about this activity by reading the EK Youth Combat Rules (revised January 2019). 

Please peruse the portion of this site that contains the information your young fighter will need, to help with any of the forms and to encourage a spirit of independence. The younger the fighter, the more you will have to be involved and aware during the fights, practices and meetings.

We encourage you to consider becoming a Youth Marshal and to help promote the sport and maintain the achievements and progress made thus far.

Checklists for the Armor Bag

Checklist for Division 1, ages 6-9
Checklist for Division 2, ages 10-13 and Division 3, ages 14-17

Waivers and Medical Forms

Each child who attends an SCA event or participates in a youth combat practice requires a waiver (“consent to participate”) form signed by a parent or legal guardian.

If you complete a waiver as part of a child’s Society membership you will receive a blue membership card which obviates the need to sign the form again at each event.

If another adult will be bringing your child to an event or practice without you, please send them with the medical authorization (“permission to treat”) form.

For more information, see Understanding Waivers and Medical Forms.

Parents/guardians MUST be present, however, in order for a youth fighter to authorize for tourney and melee combat.

Background Checks and The Two-Deep Rule

Youth marshals are required to have a valid background check and supervise practices using a “two deep” model. This means that practices are coached by two adults who are not related to one another, and at least one of them must have completed the background check.

For more information, see Understanding Background Checks and the Two-Deep Rule.