Quote Originally Posted by Shay
Our house rules:

Rules: Swords are to hit only other swords
If a sword is swung at a body part, the attacker is out for the day.
Swords are NOT to be swung at shields.
You can block with your shield, but not attack with it.
If you raise your shield over your head, that is the signal for a time out of the end of the bout.
(BTW- I consider this sport, not actual combat training)
How old are the Kids? What kind of "swords" are they using? Even in sport a hit to the body is how you score so learning to only hit the sword will be counter productive if they take up fencing or historic fencing later. There are some reproductions of early manuals available, such as "Highland Swordsmanship" and "Highland Broadsword" by Mark Rector that, while they might be too adult for the kids, could give you some exercises and drills that you could teach the kids. Learning correct handling is the best way of reducing injury in the long run. Learning the drills will give them the feeling of strike and block that merely letting them swing away at each other will never give them. Using a piece of padded rattan with a heavy leather basket for hand protection as a sword and limiting them to a "swinging" strike rather than a "stabbing" lunge could also help limit the risk of injury. Just a few thoughts off the top of my head.

Jamie