Editing Safety Rules (section)

== 3. Combat Safety Rules ==
Combat should always be controlled, safe, and enjoyable for everyone involved.

=== 3.1. Pulling Blows ===
All strikes must be controlled and delivered with appropriate force.

Players must pull their blows to avoid causing injury. Combat is intended to simulate battle, not inflict harm.

Excessive force, reckless swinging, or intentionally striking harder than necessary is not permitted.

=== 3.2. Body Rushing ===
Players must not body rush opponents.

Body rushing refers to using your body, weapon, or shield to make forceful physical contact with another player in order to:

* Push them backwards.
* Force passage through a gap.
* Knock them off balance.
* Move them through physical pressure rather than normal combat.

=== 3.3. Weapon Pinning and Entrapment ===
During gameplay, an opponent's weapon may occasionally become pinned against terrain, boundary netting, or tangled in clothing, armour, or equipment.

If this occurs:

* Players should make a reasonable effort to release the trapped weapon as soon as possible.
* Deflecting, blocking, or pushing weapons away during normal combat is permitted.
* Players must not intentionally trap, pin, or entangle another player's weapon against terrain, boundary netting, equipment, or another player.

Accidental entanglements can happen during combat. If a weapon becomes trapped, players should prioritise safety and quickly resolve the situation before continuing to fight.

=== 3.4. Ducking ===
Players may jump, sidestep, retreat, or otherwise avoid attacks naturally.

However, players must not deliberately duck, crouch, kneel, or suddenly lower their height in order to avoid attacks.

=== 3.5. Shield Bashing ===
Players must not use shields to make forceful physical contact with another player.

This includes:
* Pushing with a shield.
* Striking a player with a shield.
* Using a shield to force an opponent backwards.

=== 3.6. Blocking with Ranged Weapons ===
Bows, crossbows, bandguns, and other ranged weapons may not be used to block attacks.

Players may not intentionally parry, deflect, or absorb incoming attacks with a ranged weapon. If struck while holding a ranged weapon, the attack should be taken as if that weapon was not in the way. 

Players that attempt to block with a ranged weapon may be carded and removed from the game.