Rule 1: You have to tell everyone about SageFight. More people make funner.
Rule 2: Everyone gets around in a circle, at arm’s length from each other.
Rule 3: Take your most awesome kung fu stance. Do not move.
Rule 4: A time keeper will give a signal at regular intervals, either by calling it out or clapping. Think of it like a metronome.
Rule 5: On the signal, you switch to another stance, but must keep your balance and must not move after switching your stance. When you switch your stance, you can move your arms, torso, head and/or one foot. The other foot remains rooted in place.
Goal: Try to tap the back of another person’s hand with the palm-side of your hand. If your hand is hit, you are out. If your palm touches someone else’s palm, you’re both out. If you are the last person standing, you win SAGEFIGHT!
Variant: Masters Without Sword
Rule 1: Fencers take stances along a straight line. We used a line of tiles on the lobby floor.
Rule 2: Begin by touching arms in a mannerly fashion, like crossing swords.
Rule 3: The timekeeper will tell the fencers to break. Then the fencers take their most awesome fencing pose.
Rule 4: The timekeeper will start keeping a rhythmic beat, just like in regular SAGEFIGHT.
Rule 5: Score one point by touching your opponent’s torso with the palm-side of your hand. After scoring a point, stop keeping time, back away, strike a new pose, and start again.
Rule 6: If you step off the line or lose your balance, you’re out and your opponent scores one point.
Goal: Be the first to score 2 points.
There is a lot of jostling and crossing “swords.” You feel very much like a jedi knight.
Ettiquette
Don’t put your hands in your pockets (unless you’re in a duel). In general: you can have your hands anywhere they could be touched. Behind your back is fine, your opponent(s) will just go around. Keeping your hands in the air, out of reach of shorter players, is not cool.
Try not to smack people too hard, or in the wrong place.