Other pages describe player safety rules based on 100 years of practice and games. For videos, visit See the LARP Game page or Rules page for text details. These pages can be summed:
- All strikes can not be of more force than necessary to trigger devices or block a weapons strike. A player can not be taken down or blocked unless a strike to a device or actual contact with a defensive weapon is, at minimum, attempted first.
- If missed or thought to be missed based on reasonable effort, only then can a take down or body type block be executed.
- The purpose of these rules is to eliminate high speed collisions from any direction and lower risk of injury.
Here, individual components that facilitate the proper use of the rules are discussed:
Protective Equipment
HELMETS – 3 Generations
Version 1 is obsolete but used for videos
Note that strikes are required to target the upraised visor, preferably the 6 inch rubber rod emanating outward from visor. Actual impacts to helmet itself sometime occur but they are glancing blows.
Older Gen 1 version of helmet seen here and in videos, sourced from lacrosse.
Examples of Visor Strikes
NEW HELMETS
Current Version of Helmet:
Generation 2 are customized ANSI certified helmets which are purposely built for absorbing falling objects that strike the top of it.
These helmets also have an internal visor for eye protection. The certified helmets are specifically configured for protecting the top of head from impacts, highly relevant to WAFL+’s game format.
Current version (left) and Gen 3 (middle and right) includes Spiderman, Dead Pool, Wolverine and Black Panther
As a sport with minimal impacts to the head by body to body contact, the helmets focus on eye and impacts to the top the head protection.
The hand strikes to the face button are also considerations, though the rules require force limited to what is required to trigger them. See test and analysis below of button triggering.
The helmets on the left are specifically designed to protect against impacts from above, and because rules call for minimum force, they greatly exceed safety requirements.
WAFL+ intends on using mostly these Version 2 and integrate the new Version 3 helmets to after they are tested and built.
SAFE AMOUNT OF FORCE TRIGGERS LED LIGHTS
Hit button on facemask. Hitting any harder than sufficient to trigger LED’s is not allowed. Player is now inactive for duration of play.
Button on facemasks is force tested
Very moderate force is needed to trigger lights
Contents inside of Button device revealed and tested
Chest and Back Protection
WAFL+ is safer than rugby or football and does not need armor. However, it is used to mount weaponry to leave the hands free for those who might handle the ball.
Rules require only light contact to devices and the defense against these strikes- and all players are subject to the rule against using any force more than necessary.
Armor is for mounting weapons on rear plate
PADDED LOWER BODY PROTECTION AND ABDOMINAL PADDING
BODY PROTECTION
Chest and abdomen protection is of high impact plastic and hardened foam, respectively. They were sourced from the racing motorcycle industry. Very thick leg padding provides protection, sourced from street hockey, greatly effective for softening falls and deadening impacts.
New lighter hollow Plastic Sabers are Safer
WarBall LARP has switched from the heavier plastic training swords to Cosplay or props that mimic the Star Wars‘ film’s laser weapon. The lighted blades are stunning when activated under stadium lights.
Note the 6 inch rubber rod on top of the visor that is the target, drawing any impacts away from the helmet itself. Also the LED light is above the button which is triggered upon impact by a palm strike.
WarBall as Safety Device
The patented WarBall is a tool to defend the ball carrier and progress downfield. If the blue player tries to throw down the ball carrier (allowed since he attempted a device targeting first) the ball carrier can deflect the blue player using the WarBall. This softens any impact to ball carrier from the other player.
WARBALL TIPS ARE SOFT AND FLEXIBLE
There is a risk of a player falling on the tailed end of the ball, so the tail section resides in a thick but flexible PVC tube.
Linemen’s Staff Blocking Technique Safety
No strikes to body or head except to target visor devices above helmet or as defense against another weapon:
Rules require staff use against another staff or saber FIRST before any other form of contact. If staff drops visor on top of helmet, player contacted is out of the play
New version of blocking staffs are Star Wars Dual Light Sabers:
For linemen, conversion from hollow plastic rods as seen in the videos above to a dual form of Star Wars Light sabers
Gloves
Sourced from motorcycle competition gear, the knuckles are stainless steel.