IKF betleH Combat Rules
Combat Rules Created by: Samuel W. Siegel 1993 - Updated 2002.

Jev'qu and Kethas in battle

Klingon Culture and Weapons go hand in hand. It is not uncommon to see a Klingon warrior with some kind of cultural weapon on hand, whether it be a daqtagh or a betleH. In IKF this is no different, only the weapons of choice are not steel, and can be used in combat. For those of us in IKF that are of the 18th year and over, we can enjoy the honor of combat. For the rest of us, this cannot become a reality unless a parental waiver is signed. The following text are the manners of combat that IKF follows. In the 3+ years that we have been doing this, the only ones that have gotten hurt have lost balance, or suffered minor cuts/scrapes.

Although there is always the possibility of danger, we continue to do this out of glory, for the Klingon Empire, for other Klingons, for our Family Lines, for us as individuals, and finally, for fun! This information should be shared, and respected as a martial art. Qapla'!

These guidelines are to protect YOU, the combatant, and IKF from endangering lives. Both your own, and the spectators. Follow these guidelines and you can be assured that no injury, aside from the occasional scratch, or muscle pull, will be avoided.

betleH combat can be both fun, and dangerous. While these weapons cannot break arms, they can poke eyes out, and scratch the surface of skin causing at the worst case scenario, a severe laceration. ~~This is also the reason that minors may not take part in these games (No one under the age of 18).~~ As long as there is an adult present, and is an authorized betleH pin'a' (master), and ALL safety factors are followed minors MAY participate in betleH combat.

Broken bones can only be caused by lack of common sense, ground obstructions, and falling. Thus the need for constant awareness of surroundings.

NOTE: Should any accidental injury occur, A.) Seek medical attention if need be, and B.) ONLY the combatants (ones directly involved with the activity) are responsible. IKF is in no way responsible for the injuries attained in this game. This is a risk involved game, and people can get hurt.

ALL COMBATANTS MUST SIGN THE WAIVER FORM BEFORE EACH MATCH (PRACTICE INCLUDED!)

TERMINOLOGY AND USAGE OF...

IKF is about Klingon Culture, betleH combat is included in this. Thus the need for Klingon terminology when in combat. You should familiarize yourself with the terminology BEFORE you pick up your betleH. This will give the game a more Klingon look for spectators, and increase the safety factor.

 Word |Pronunciation |   Meaning     |   Context used 

yIqIm	 yich-IM	ATTENTION	To hold or stop combat

tagh	 tacgh	 	Begin		 To start combat (lay on/arms)

Qapla	 kkhap-LA	SUCCESS		 Said by Victor

pIn'a'	 Pin-Ah 	Master		 Referee or Marshall

SETTING THE FIELD OF BATTLE...

The field, or place of battle should be flat, no obstructions of any kind (i.e. cracks in pavement, mole holes, ant hills, chairs, Etc.... The area should be either A.) Roped off (in close quarters) or B.) Away from obstructions such as people, tables, Etc....

A Referee (sometimes called a Marshall) or pIn'a' (Master) should preside over the combatants to ensure safety and keep track of hits/shots. This person will also keep you from running into anything, and will warn you when you are about to.

CERTIFYING, OR AUTHORIZING...

A pIn'a' must be chosen by those who Authorize, or certify that the one can preform the duties safely. Authorization, or Certifying, can only be done before two of the IKF Fighter's Guild. The reasoning behind this is simple. Currently the IKF Fighter's Guild holds 2 authorized betleH pIn'a'wI' (Masters or Grand Marshalls). As time goes on, more will be authorized, or certified, and this will change so that two pIn'a'wI', not necessarily from the Guild may authorize, or certify, a betleH fighter. ONLY Authorized Guild pin'a'wI may authorize one as a pIn'a'. And this takes two Guild pIn'a'wI' to do.

MANNER OF PLAY/BATTLE...

This form of fighting relies on the Honor system. It is up to those that participate to keep honor, thereby displaying , or communication what hits/shots were good, and which ones were not. Also the pIn'a' can determine which were good, and which were not. That has a lot to do with the HONOR influenced by the combatants.

Also, if one has outright, and obviously been "killed" during the battle, and refuses to go down, this is a grave dishonor to his/her line, ship, commanding officer, and IKF. HEADSHOTS also enter into this category.... Headshots are also Illegal. (NOTE: This is the only illegal place on the body, the groin is legal, but not preferred due to obvious reasons.)

SPEED/POWER...

Speed and power can cause injury. Therefore at a slow to moderate pace, or half normal speed will only be allowed. Granted this may seem fake, but rest assured that it does not. ALSO it saves the weapon from breaking.

REMEMBER: The FOAM construction will bend/break before the bones will.

KILLPOINTS...

A killpoint is a place on the body, or part of that will automatically "kill" your opponent. As you already know, the HEAD is the only illegal place on the body. DO NOT attempt to strike there intentionally. This is hard to do, but MUST be learned.

Except the head and neck all other parts of the body, are legal and can be hit. Groin included, although this is considered a legal target, most consider this area not to be hit. In a tournament match, HONOR demands that this area be respected.

KILL-LIST...

The kill-list is as follows, what makes a killing blow.

CHEST: *Solid, unobstructed shot. KILLS
*Solid, obstructed shot. KILLS
*2 CUTS (swiping shot) KILLS
*1 CUT (below ribs)KILLS

NECK: Considered HEAD

ARMS, LEGS, HANDS, FEET: *Solid hit, LOSS OF LIMB
*2 Cuts (swiping shot), LOSS OF LIMB

NOTE: When LOSS of a or both legs occur, go into kneeling, or sitting position and continue the fight.

OPPONENTS MUST STAY WITHIN A 45 Degree AREA IN FRONT OF THE ONE THAT IS IN Kneeling, OR Sitting position. To do otherwise would be an act of dishonor.

Do's and Don'ts of Battle (Additions to the previous rules)...

ONCE EYE CONTACT HAS BEEN MADE, AND A PRESENCE ACKNOWLEDGED combat may begin. This includes multiple targets in Open melee.

Weapons may NOT be thrown at your opponent/s.

Over the Head (OtH) Shots are ONLY done if it is for show, your opponent must see that you are making an OtH shot, and block. If your opponent fails to block, YOU WILL BE DISQUALIFIED from the match.

Hands are not considered part of the body EXCEPT in DAGGER.

ANY FACE SHOT (Accidental or not - Yes accidents happen) and you will be DISQUALIFIED from the match.

"Pushing" or "Bending" the rules will result in LOSS of Fighter status. Even mentioning that you will try this will have you on the bench for at least 3 months.

Tournament Warnings / Disqualifications: This does happen from time to time. Once done, and the Marshall (pin' a') tells you to go off the field. YOU CANNOT FIGHT AGAIN TILL YOU ARE RE-AUTHORIZED. PERIOD. NO EXCEPTIONS.