The Houston Stick Fighting Association
"Elevate your Martial Arts Skills in a Combative Environment"
I. Principles and Bylaws of the Houston Stick Fighting Association (“HSFA”).
1. 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.
2. Membership in our association is open to martial artists from all backgrounds in blade or stick-based martial arts including, but not limited to, Escrima, Arnis, Kali, Kobudo, European Fencing, Western Martial Arts, Renaissance Martial Arts, Tai Chi, Kendo, Iaido and Kenjutsu.
3. The purpose of the HSFA is to organize combative tournaments 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. A match will end at the expiration of time or if a participant submits.
4. 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.
5. All participants must sign a waiver before participating in each combative tournament releasing the Houston Stick Fighting Association, its founder, and each of its advisors and members, from any damages, liabilities or physical injuries that may result or occur from participating in any combative tournament organized by the HSFA or any other organization associated with the HSFA.
6. Each participant must certify that he/she is in good overall health and physical condition in order to participate in any combative tournament and have the necessary protective gear and equipment in order to participate. If a particpant does not have the necessary protective gear and equipment, it can be rented for $20.00 for each participant.
7. All protective gear (headgear, eye protection, gloves, etc.) and all equipment (rattan or wooden sticks, padded sticks, padded knives, rubber knives and shields) must be in good working condition before each and every match.
8. All participant must abide by these Principles and Bylaws as well as the Rules and Regulations of Combat of the Houston Stick Fighting Association, without exception. Safety is first!
9. All members and participant 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.
II. Rules and Regulations of Combat
- 5. Illegal Target 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. Strikes to the groin are only permitted in the Padded Stick Divisions. Grabbing the mask is prohibited. Bad sportsmanship, reckless behavior, fake injury, or illegal contact and techniques may result in forfeiture of membership.
1. 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.
2. Fighting Area: Unlimited.
3. Weapons: Must be in good working condition, must also be of same length and weight for all but Uneven
Weapons division.
4. Types of Matches
A. Single Soft Stick (Eye Protection required): This is a blade-based division where the soft stick will be treated as a blade. Duration: one 2 minute round.
B. Double Soft Stick (Eye Protection required): This is a blade-based division where the soft stick will be treated as a blade. Duration: one 2 minute round.
C. Espada y Daga or Sword and Shield (Head gear or eye protection required); This is a
blade-based division where the soft stick and dagger will be treated as blades or where a shield is also used. Duration: one 2 minute round.
D. Single Live Stick (Head gear, gloves and groin protection required): This is an impact-weapon division. Duration: one 2 minute round or submission.
E. Double Live Stick (Head gear, gloves and groin protection required): Duration: one 2 minute round or submission.
F. Single Rubber/Padded Knife (Head gear or eye protection required): one 2 minute round.
G. Double Rubber/Padded Knife (Head gear or eye protection required): one 2 minute round.
H. Staff v. Staff and Uneven Weapons (Head gear, gloves and groin protection required):
Duration : one 2 minute round or submission.
Download:
Membership Application
Release Form
E-MAIL COMPLETED MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS AND RELEASE FORMS TO registration@houstonstickfighting.org.
“There will be no judges, no referees and no trophies . . . Our goal is to improve our skills,
make new friends and learn from our experiences.” The Houston Stick Fighting Association