Combat in the SCA
Within the SCA there are two main forms of combat: Armoured combat and Rapier fighting.
Armoured combat
Just as in extant pictures of the standard Knight of the Middle Ages, you will see armoured fighters wearing a combination of different forms of protection. The rules of the Society stipulate that certain parts of the body have to be protected such as the head, throat, elbows, hands, kidneys, groin and knees. This is done using armour of varying styles and periods. Therefore you will see a combination of chain-mail, coats of plates and full plate armour on any given battlefield, varying according to the period portrayed by the wearer.
The style of combat is full-force and full-speed, which means no choreographing, no pulling of blows and aiming for the body of the opponent. This is why armour has to be worn and why the weapons are made of a thick bamboo called rattan, reproducing the high Medieval tournaments a plaisance, where knights and squires would fight using practice swords made of wood and whalebone.
Armoured combat is taught and practiced much like a martial art, including the need to be fully conversant with the rules and to be formally authorised before being allowed to take part in fighting events outside the weekly practice sessions. While there are Marshals who perform armour/weapon inspections and ensure the smooth-running of a tournament, the system of fighting is honour-based and the marshals are not there to actually referees.
For more information, please explore the Kingdom webpage here: http://www.drachenwald.sca.org/Marshal/
Rapier Combat
Also known as fencing, this form of combat uses blunted steel weapons such as rapiers, foils and schlagers and follows a later-period style of sword-fighting for which there are contemporary guides and documentation dating from the 16th and early 17th century. This type of combat does not require armour, but still necessitates a certain amount of protection, mostly in the form of an adapted fencing mask and padded clothing. This style of fighting is more about a swift cut and thrust than a two-handed 6-foot claymore.
The Rapier community organises itself into academies and also holds regular fighter practices. New fighters must also be authorised and can achieve ranks within the academies.
For more information please explore the Kingdom webpage here: http://www.drachenwald.sca.org/files/marshal/fencing/academy.htm