International Medieval Combat Federation
The Democratic Federation of National Associations

How to test your armour’s mobility before an event

Testing your armour’s mobility is not a contest of flexibility. It is a practical check that your protection stays secure while you adopt a fighting stance, breathe normally, move between exchanges and recover for the next action. A loose plate can distract more severely than a tight one, while an over-tightened strap can restrict the shoulder and spoil balance. The objective is stable equipment that supports technique rather than changing it.

A sound armour mobility test follows the movement demands of historical medieval combat. It examines shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip and knee range, then tests those movements with the same armour, padding and weapon control you expect at an event. It should be performed with a coach or experienced armourer present, and the results compared with your normal training baseline rather than with another fighter’s body or fighting style.

For Australian fighters, the test must also account for climate, travel and the realities of club life. A garment that works in a cool training room may behave differently in Brisbane humidity, Melbourne weather or an air-conditioned Sydney venue. Testing early gives you time to repair, replace or re-lace equipment before interstate travel or an IMCF competition.

Establish a safe, event-specific baseline

Begin with the current competition rules for your division, weapon type and level of sanction. The IMCF framework may be supplemented by your national association’s directions, but the event schedule is the standard against which your equipment must be tested. Confirm approved armour, padding, buckles and weapon control before beginning.

Inspect the complete kit rather than testing only the visible plates. Check every strap, fastening, edge and internal padding point for tension, distortion or corrosion. Make sure arming gaps close correctly, buckles hold under pressure and no edge digs into the elbow, armpit, groin or back of the knee. A useful mobility test will reveal these faults only if the same underlayers and padding worn in competition are present.

Keep the session controlled and supervised. Warm up before wearing the armour, use only equipment and training weapons approved for that drill, and do not strike another fighter merely to test protection. Stop if you feel sharp pain, numbness, joint instability, breathlessness or dizziness. Mobility testing should expose a mechanical restriction, not create an injury that needs treatment before the event.

Run a controlled movement sequence

Start with a general warm-up, then add dynamic shoulder, hip and ankle movements. Raise both arms, circle the elbows, rotate the torso and walk through progressively deeper stances. This reduces the chance of mistaking a cold joint for a poorly fitted piece of armour. Keep each movement smooth and repeatable, particularly if the session happens outdoors or in humid weather.

Once warm, move through the actions required in the discipline. Test your guard, overhead reach, elbow position, torso turn, side step, lunge, kneel, rise and transition between standing and ground positions. Carry an approved practice weapon when weapon handling forms part of the session. A fighter who blocks effectively but cannot maintain the weapon line may still need an armour adjustment.

The IMCF’s competition gallery can provide visual context for how approved equipment appears in competition. Use it to recognise presentation cues and common configurations, not as a substitute for checking your own fit. Similar-looking armour can behave differently because of padding, body shape, buckles and the way each piece is tensioned.

Judge mobility by function, not flexibility

Compare both sides of the body during every test. Record any difference in shoulder height, elbow bend, stance depth or torso rotation, then check whether that difference also appears during normal training. Small natural asymmetries are common; the concern is a new restriction caused by the event kit. Film a fixed front-and-side view if it helps, but keep the recording for coaching rather than treating it as a formal assessment.

The final position matters more than the furthest reach. You should be able to hold a usable guard without your elbow drifting, complete a full step while keeping your balance, and breathe without a plate pressing into your ribs or abdomen. If reaching the limit causes your posture to collapse, the armour is functionally restrictive even when the joint itself appears flexible.

Make one adjustment at a time and repeat the sequence. Re-lacing, padding or changing the position of a buckle may solve a problem without altering an approved historical pattern. A coach can then compare the revised movement with your baseline and confirm that the adjustment has not introduced a new gap, pressure point or unstable plate.

Prepare for Australian conditions and travel

Summer conditions can alter how armour behaves during a session. High humidity may slow leather from drying, increase perspiration inside padding and make weapon grips slippery. Melbourne’s rapid weather changes can move a training session indoors or outdoors, while Brisbane’s humidity and Sydney’s warmer coastal conditions require particular attention to heat. Where possible, test in conditions similar to those expected on event day.

Australian event calendars often involve long interstate journeys, busy traffic around Sydney and Melbourne, and equipment transported in hatchbacks, estate cars or utes. Secure plates and helmets so they cannot shift during braking, allow time for parking and unloading, and avoid leaving padded or leather components compressed in a hot vehicle. Plan water and rest breaks around any pre-event testing so heat does not distort your range of motion.

For interstate meets, send members one practical venue note covering parking, storage, floor surface and equipment and training access. The linked overview illustrates how clear access and equipment details can prevent members from arriving at the wrong training space or an unsuitable session time.

The Australian second-hand market, including online marketplaces and specialist dealers, can provide useful replacement components. It can also introduce uncertainty in sizing and condition. Check used armour personally, document missing straps and damaged hardware, and avoid buying a complete set shortly before a tournament unless your coach can inspect it properly.

Use a practical pre-event checklist

Schedule the main mobility test seven to fourteen days before the competition. This leaves time for repairs, repeated checks and a final confirmation without rushing. Run the test in your regular club space and use the armour, padding and weapon configuration intended for the event, whether that is an individual duel, a national melee or a larger championship.

Choose a quiet time with adequate floor space, a stable camera position and at least one qualified observer. Record the date, event, kit configuration and any changes made. The checklist below keeps the session consistent and makes it easier to identify the cause when a restriction appears.

Treat the recorded results as an event file rather than a collection of observations. It should show which movement was limited, what caused the restriction and whether the correction held under repetition. Bring any unresolved concern to your coach before equipment inspection or formal weighing.

Recognise faults that need correction

Common problems include buckles positioned directly over a joint, padding bunching under the armpit, straps carrying too much tension and plate edges contacting the opposite arm. A plate may also rotate when you turn, changing the protection that was present when you started. If a defect appears only after several exchanges, repeat the test after an active warm-up rather than dismissing it.

Australia’s legal and insurance requirements vary between states and territories. The New South Wales Weapons Act 1998 may apply to possession or public display of weapons, while Queensland’s Combat Sports Act 1997 may apply where an activity is regulated as combat sport. Definitions, approvals and duties differ, so the organiser, insurer and relevant authority should confirm the requirements for contact training, public demonstrations and tournament insurance.

Do not assume that historical styling makes every modification acceptable. Judges assess compliance at the event, but an improvised shoulder alteration or unlicensed attachment can create safety, authenticity and insurance problems. Keep the approved configuration intact and raise uncertain changes with your national association before the competition. Records of your own inspections also help identify whether a fault came from transport, adjustment or ordinary wear.

Make the event week decisive

Use the first confirmed test to decide what must be repaired or replaced. If the armour has changed, allow enough time to train in it again and repeat the mobility sequence under mild fatigue. A garment that works after five minutes may shift during a long melee, so include several realistic exchanges or footwork cycles without turning the session into unnecessary full-contact sparring.

In the final days, travel with the kit arranged in the same positions used during testing, check straps after unloading and inspect the equipment again before leaving home. Bring essential repair items, spare approved padding and the event documentation required by your association. Avoid making structural changes away from the training space immediately before travelling.

Book your next supervised mobility session now, record the results and give your coach a clear list of restricted movements. Resolve each concern before departure so you can arrive at the next club training, national event or IMCF World Championship ready to compete with stable protection and unrestricted technique.