Safe Attire for LANCE Training

Training with LANCE Orlando can be intense, tiring, challenging, rewarding, and most of all, fun! With this blog post, we will look at some of the requirements, guidelines, and suggestions for attire to help keep you safe and have a great time training with us.

Firstly, please keep in mind when choosing your attire that we train outdoors in Florida year round. Yes, even in the summer! When choosing what to wear for our training and rehearsal days, there are few requirements that we ask you to follow.​

Gloves

Preferably leather, but “Mechanix” style gloves will also work. When choosing your gloves you want to make sure that you still have full range of motion in your hand and fingers and are able to grip a weapon. It is preferred that you stay away from thin, full-fabric, cold weather gloves or full rubber-type washing gloves.​ Here is an example of “Mechanix” gloves. Although these types of gloves are not “show ready” they are still a perfect example of acceptable gloves for training. Good places to look for training gloves include hardware and home improvement stores. If you are unsure about the types of gloves that may be worn please see the examples shown below. If you are looking for “show ready” gloves, trainers and other members of the Safety Committee will have suggestions on where to look, so ask them!​

Mechanix Gloves

Leather Work Gloves

Leather Fashion Gloves

Leather Reenactment Gloves

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Closed Toed Shoes

Think sensible footwear, something that prevents slipping like an athletic shoe or a boot. A dress shoe or something with heels would generally not be acceptable. The only absolute rule as far as footwear is concerned is that sandals or flip flops are not permitted. There is no exception to this rule. If you plan to fight with us, whether you are unarmed or not, you will be turned away if wearing sandals.

Workout Shoes

Knee High Moccasins

Musketeer Boots

Hiking Shoes

Steel Toed Boots

Toe Shoes

Faire Boots

Ankle High Moccasins or Faire Boots

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Jewelry/Piercings

With a wide range of options in this category, the easy way to define whether or not you should wear it is simply to use your best judgement. The rule of thumb is that if it has the potential to injure either yourself or your partner during training then it should not be worn. This includes having a jewelry piece getting snagged on something. If you are not okay with the jewelry potentially being damaged or pulled on sharply, please consider removing it for training. If you are unsure about your jewelry, please feel free to ask a trainer or other member of the Safety Committee.

No Rings

No Large Earrings

No Long or Bulky Necklaces

No Bulky Facial or Body Piercings

No Bracelets

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Clothing

Now that accessories have been covered, it’s time to discuss what to wear on your upper and lower body. Once again the first thing to remember is that we train outdoors in Florida, making the heat and sun serious concerns. Clothing aside, make sure to bring a water bottle with you for training (we will have water for refills) and consider also bringing sunscreen and a light snack.

That being said, shorts or pants and a light shirt that are all comfortable to move around in are welcome. In general jeans or similarly restrictive pants are not recommended but the goal is to make sure you are comfortable and can perform safely. Wear the clothing you are comfortable in, but be aware that jeans and other non-workout pants can be made of thicker material that may not only restrict movement but also retain heat and make it difficult to stay cool in the Florida weather. Please use your best judgement. Athletic undergarments are also recommended to help support your comfort and safety.

​Lastly, you should keep your eyeline clear. What this means is that you should be sure that your eyes are visible to your fight partners. This can easily be accomplished by tying back longer hair if it can obscure your vision or by wearing a headband, bandana, or other accessory that is firmly attached to your head. Hats are not a good idea since there is a risk they will fall off and get in the way. You will also have to remove sunglasses since they also can obscure your eyes from your fight partner or fall off mid-fight. Communication is a huge part of a fight and this includes eye contact! Your eyes can say a lot.

Example of Proper LANCE Training Attire.

These suggestions and requirements are not intended to remove the fun of LANCE and stage combat, but to promote safety and ensure that we can all continue to train and build a community together.

Thanks, everyone! See you at training and stay safe out there!
​​-- Michael Corinella, Safety Committee Chair