IKF betleH Combat Rules
Created By: Samuel W. Siegel July - 1993

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.

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 High Council. The reasoning behind this is simple. Currently the IKF High Council holds 3 authorized betleH pIn'a'wI' (Masters). As time goes on, more will be authorized, or certified, and this will change so that two pIn'a'wI', not necessarily from the Council may authorize, or certify, a betleH fighter. ONLY the COUNCIL may authorize one as a pIn'a'. And this only takes two Council 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.

BETLEH CONSTRUCTION...

This is the most important part of the fight... realistic looking weaponry. Enclosed with the rules there will be a pattern for the betleH, one of actual size. There are 2 sets of lists that follow. The first explains the materials needed to construct the weapons, and the tools needed as well. The second list explains the order of which they go together to make the weapon.

Materials and tools needed

Housing Insulation Foam 1/2" thickness. (The pink stuff) comes in a 4'x6' or 4'x8' sheet.

MANY rolls of Silver Duct tape, and two rolls of Brown duct tape.

1/2" corrugated cardboard also in pattern of betleH. 1 per side (For stabilization).

Scissors, utility knife, and a measuring tape.

Order of construction

First peel the plastic coating off of the insulation sheet. This will allow for an easier drawing of the shape, and cutting.

Measure the total width of betleH pattern (from outer blade tip to furthest handle end) and cut insulation sheet into separate pieces.

*You should get either 4 or 5 betleH from a single sheet.

Place pattern on piece of foam to be used, trace pattern, and cut (use utility knife).

When completed cut cardboard to fit over both sides of betleH and tape into position. *Cut out handle portion to 3" from blade tip (This will strengthen the life and weight of the betleH, plus provide a firmer grip.

Duct tape the hell out of what's left, at least 2 - 3 layers on blades, and 3 - 4 layers on handle. *USE silver duct tape.

When completed, then USING Brown duct tape, go over handles 2 - 3 times.

Weight when finished should be approximately 1 - 2 lbs.