How to Make Your Own Sword Games
The idea of fighting with swords sounds exciting and can be fun. It is also dangerous, and needs to be approached in a way that can be as safe as it is imaginative. If the focus in your sword games is on technique, not brute force, and you build your swords correctly, everyone involved will have a great time.
Things You'll Need
- PVC piping PVC pipe insulation Duct tape PVC pipe hand saw Hockey tape Sandpaper
Instructions
-
-
1
Build your sword. First decide what kind of sword you want to have. A medium-sized broadsword is a great place to start. Begin by cutting off 4 feet of PVC piping with your hand saw. Sand down the edges to make sure they are smooth. Once smoothed down, cover 3.5 feet of the pipe with PVC insulation. Wrap this in duct tape securely. You may need to wrap it twice or three times to ensure a safe fit. Now, wrap the uninsultated part of exposed PVC in hockey tape. This will be your handle. The padded part is your "blade."
-
2
Establish a point system. The best way to make the game fair for everyone is to start each player with a specific amount of points. When engaged in combat, each hit a player takes subtracts a certain number of points from that player's total. For instance, a player may start with 10 points. A hit to the arm may take away two points, while a hit to the chest may take away four points. This ensures that the player's objective is accuracy and not brute force. Once a player's points are at zero, they are "dead" and are out of the game.
-
-
3
Make the teams fair. There will always be a variety of sizes and strengths of players. To make the game fair for everyone, include weak and strong players on each team. This will give everyone on each team someone to fight who is on their ability level.
-
4
Set an objective. While the swordplay is the most fun, have an objective for the game. The easiest is a basic "capture the flag" objective. Split the outdoor area you are playing in into two territories with two flags, one for each team. Let the teams strategize their moves ahead of time. Then set the clock for one hour, and let the invasion begin!
-
1
Tips & Warnings
When using the padded swords, it is best to wear eye and face protection.
