Combat safety

This page has safety advice that hasn't yet been checked by our safety reviewer. Treat it as general guidance, and follow your game's, venue's or product's own safety rules first.

An introduction to combat safety basics for new LARP players, covering the most common practices used in games with physical combat.

Combat in LARP is meant to be exciting and immersive, but the people around you are real, and keeping everyone safe is the first priority every single time you step onto a field or into a scene. This guide covers widely shared practices across the hobby. It is not a rulebook and it does not replace the specific safety brief, weapon inspection rules, or conduct policy of whatever game you are attending. Always treat your game's own materials as the authority. The two calls you will hear most often are "Hold" and "Lay on." When someone shouts "Hold," all physical action stops immediately — no exceptions, no finishing a swing, no taking one more step. Hold is used when someone is hurt, an unsafe situation has appeared, or a marshal needs to speak. Everyone freezes and waits. When the situation is resolved, a marshal or designated organiser will call "Lay on" (or an equivalent in your game's system) to resume play. Learning to stop the moment you hear "Hold" is one of the most important habits you can build. Weapon safety starts before combat begins. Boffer weapons and other contact-safe props are usually inspected before a game or event to confirm they meet the game's standards for padding, core integrity, and overall condition. A weapon that passes one game's check may not pass another's, because standards differ between systems. Never use a weapon that has been rejected, has exposed hard materials, or has padding that is tearing away. If your weapon takes damage during an event, pull it from use and have it checked again before continuing. During combat, strike with controlled, light force — the goal is a clear tag, not power. Avoid striking the head, face, throat, groin, or hands unless your game's rules specifically permit those targets, and even then, use the least force needed. Keep awareness of your surroundings: terrain, bystanders, and players who may not see you coming. If you are new, tell a marshal or more experienced player before your first combat so they can guide you. Younger participants should be supervised by a responsible adult throughout any combat activity, and anyone feeling unwell, dizzy, or anxious should step out of the scene and call for help without hesitation.