Boffing 101

What is Boffing?

Boffing is a competitive combat sport using homemade weapons.  These weapons, often hand-to-hand, are constructed using PVC pipe, foam noodle, duct tape, and any other accessories required.  The beauty of Boffing is the endless possibilities in both weapons and game types.

How do you make a Boffing weapon?

Their are three main ingredients to make a basic Boffing weapon.  Firstly, you will need some PVC pipe.  I would suggest purchasing about your own height in PVC.  This will give you enough versatility to either make a two-handed sword or a couple one-handed swords.  Also, make sure that you get a width you are comfortable with.

Next, you'll need to get some foam noodle.  Often in hardware stores you will find some foam noodle right around the same area as the PVC pipes, but if not, pool noodles work just as well.  You'll want to make sure to have enough to cover most of your pipe.

Lastly you will need some duct tape.  If you want to get fancy, choose multiple colors, if not, go with the standard gray.  Either way, make sure you have enough to cover an entire swords worth.

Now for the construction.  You'll probably want foam covering the top half to two-thirds of the PVC pipe and also a little bit covering the bottom.  Cut your desired length and slip it onto the PVC pipe, leaving enough pipe exposed to allow gripping.  If you want, you can wrap some extra foam around the top and bottom of your sword as well to cover up any blunt ends.

All you have left to do now is cover your sword in duct tape in whatever way you see fit.  When you are finished, it should look something like this...

How do you play?

Although rules vary from group to group, each person has a set amount of hit-points and each blow takes a certain number of them away.  We play using the specified rules...

Base Hit-Points = 10
Body shot = -5
Leg shot = -3
Arm shot = -2
Head, Feet, Hands = 0

This is of course just the beginning.  Using this set of rules you can have everything from exhibitions and tournaments to entire scenarios.  The possibilities are endless.

Hopefully this quick tutorial can get you started in the world of Boffing.  Now go Boff already!

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