All weaponry used in Aikido practice should be used and carried with the greatest of care and discretion. In addition, practitioners should be aware of, and implement, the legal requirements, the guidelines endorsed by the BAB and our Insurance broker. All weapons should be blunt, and the minimum space recommendation for pairs training with weapons is 5 square metres per practitioner.

• Weapons should only be carried when it is known that they are required at a particular training session. Coaches should therefore inform their students as to when weapons are actually required.
• Weapons should only be carried directly to and from a practice.
• Weapons should not be left in the car on a permanent basis.
• Aikidoka should carry their Association’s Membership book.
• The Aikidoka should ensure that their weapons are carried within a secure bag at all times and hence not directly visible, and should ensure that the bag is never left unattended at any time. · Travelling on public transport with weapons should be avoided if possible.
• Aikidoka carrying weapons, who are stopped by the Police, should give every assistance to the officer(s), including an explanation given of why such weapons are being carried. No attempt should be made to conceal the fact that weapons are being carried.

The use of weapons requires special consideration in respect of students’ safety:

• Weapons instruction should only be given within the procedures shown in the Insurance guidelines.
• Ensure students know how to check their own equipment and its safe use.
• Weapons and any related equipment should be checked prior to the class.
• The student’s gi should be worn correctly to ensure that no item of the gi can tangle or interfere with the use of the weapon.
• The Dojo floor should be clean and present no tripping hazards.
• The Dojo should be large enough for the number of students and the activity. This may be obvious to the front of the students but can be overlooked in the area behind the student.
• The Coach should ensure that the students always practise what is being taught, and should not permit any deviation during the training session.

Weapons Protocol
The guidelines above should be read in conjunction with the Weapons Protocol which sets out the FULL requirements for practice and compliance with the BAB insurance cover.

Also view the following that the BAB have published:

• Aikido and the possession of Offensive Weapons (Wooden)
• Aikido and the possession of Bladed Weapons