The Western Style focuses on light, technical sparring with no armor or helmets. It is designed for training precision, coordination, and historical movement without full-contact hits or risk of injury.

🛡️ Equipment

Mandatory:

• Gloves (light gloves or padded, for hand protection)
• Groin protection (especially in mixed sparring)

No armor or helmet is used
This style is built around control and trust, not force or protection.

⚔️ Valid Target Zones

For all weapons:

• Above the knee
• Above the elbow
• Torso up to the collarbone

The following are not valid targets:

• Head or face
• Neck
• Groin

Back and buttocks:

• May be touched lightly to indicate a hit
• Absolutely no forceful strikes – a light tap is enough

⚖️ Contact and Control

• All strikes must be light and controlled
• The purpose is to indicate a hit, not to hurt or overpower
• No follow-through – stop your strike at or just after contact
• Avoid any hit that could injure an unarmored opponent

🪓 Weapon Rules

One-handed and two-handed weapons follow the same target zones and contact rules, but:

• Two-handed weapons must be used with both hands at all times
• Thrusts must be low and controlled – avoid accidental pokes to the face or throat
• No overhand or javelin-style thrusts
• No “sliding thrusts” (as explained in Eastern rules)

🚫 Forbidden Techniques

• No strikes to the head
• No thrusts to the face or neck
• No grappling, grabbing, or shoving
• No forceful strikes to the back, spine, or buttocks
• No jumping or running attacks
• No spinning strikes unless pre-agreed and controlled

✅ General Principles

This is a light sparring format, focused on technique, flow, and respect

• It is not competitive and should never feel dangerous or chaotic
• Always stop immediately on a “HOLD” call or injury signal
• Communicate clearly – ask your partner for feedback and boundaries