Choreographed stage combat

Includes: Stage combat Indoors, Outdoors, Adventurous activities, Sport
Age:
10+
Sport
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Lights, camera, action!

Gain confidence and grow your creativity through the art of physical storytelling. It’s all about telling powerful stories through movement - no real fighting required!

Overview

Stage combat involves learning a choreographed routine that simulates conflict on stage.  

Differences between stage combat and war games 

Unlike stage combat, war games are a prohibited activity. While stage combat is carefully choreographed and rehearsed, war games are usually more improvised and strategic. The goal for stage combat is for actors to tell a story together, whereas war games are sometimes used to explore real-life tactics or scenarios. People might assume different roles in war games, but no one is playing a character with a script, and any action isn’t narrative-driven.  

In stage combat, there is never any contact between participants, and no one should ever get hurt. As a result, it’s important to use a qualified and experienced professional to instruct sessions, and girls must be supervised at all times.     

If you have any queries, email us at [email protected].  

Accessibility

Check with your instructor for different ways to make stage combat accessible for girls.   

Choreographed stage combat is an adventurous activity, so you'll need to follow the health, safety and welfare policy.

Planning checklist

If you're working with an external provider or external instructors to run this activity outside the unit meeting space, follow these extra steps. 

  • Arrange for a home contact. Leave any route or other relevant details with your home contact and complete a home contact agreement form. Let them know if you make any changes to your plans.
  • Tell your local commissioner.
  • Tell the activity provider about the ability and experience of the participants and any disabilities, access needs or health conditions that need to be considered when running the activity.
  • Choose a reputable and licensed activity provider (where applicable).
  • Check the qualified adults hold the correct qualification to be able to run the activity (see the information below).
  • Get copies of the instructor qualifications and public liability insurance of the activity provider before you book.
  • Ask for evidence that the external provider has their own risk assessment for the activity they are running for you.
  • Make sure you have the correct ratio of participants (girls and volunteers) to qualified adults (those running the activity). This is different to the ratio of leaders to girls.
  • Check with the venue that they have the correct equipment and, if needed, specialist clothing that will meet the requirements for your group.
  • Source any specialist equipment or clothing needed to run the activity not provided by the venue, and make sure this is in good condition and fit for purpose.
  • Check that any equipment is suitably insured by the provider and agree what happens to the equipment if it gets damaged.

Some venues might ask for a disclaimer or waiver to be signed for each person taking part in the activity. This is something which parents/carers must sign on behalf of their child. You can do this along with the consent form. Parents and carers should be given sufficient information from the provider along with the waiver so they can make an informed decision to sign it or not. Leaders can only sign disclaimers and waivers for their own personal participation.

Instructors must have a BADC qualification and experience of delivering workshops to under-18s.   

If you're unsure, or if alternative qualifications are held, please contact the adventure team ([email protected]).   

Instructors must also:

  • Tailor the content to the physical and emotional maturity of the participants. 
  • Conduct a thorough risk assessment for all props, which must be safe and stage appropriate, and the environment the activity is taking place in. There should be sufficient space between the audience and participants to avoid anyone getting accidentally hurt.  
  • Carefully explain and demonstrate techniques before girls practise them.

Ensure girls wear appropriate clothing, remove loose jewellery, and tie back long hair if necessary.  

The ratios below are given as a maximum, and ratios must be considered as part of the risk assessment. This may lessen due to any medical conditions, physical ability, or other factors. 

Leadership team ratio 

If this activity will take place outside of your usual meeting place, the leadership team adult to child ratio is mandatory. 

  • Rainbows: not a Rainbow activity
  • Brownies: not a Brownie activity
  • Guides: 1:12
  • Rangers: 1 leader, with a recommended second adult

Qualified adult to participant ratio 

The activity leader (qualified adult) should determine what size of group is safe. There must be enough qualified adults to ensure the safety of all participants. 

The number will be determined by any limitations placed on their qualification, permit or the rules of their operating organisation, as well as the risk assessment. This should take into consideration the location, weather and experience of both the qualified adult and other participants. The leader should assess the risk, and any concerns must be raised to them.