Weapons Marshall can be done without - its nice to confirm for people, but as long as there is at least 1, better with at least two that can check out weapons and go "Yea this is safe to use for fighter practice" you're set.
Loaner weapons: So, depends how many are gonna show up. I made extra polearms cause we had like 12 people interested in them. But really, I'd say at least 2-4 extra shields, 4-6 long swords, 4-6 short swords, and like one random polearm and 2h sword will do you easily. Get like 50ish packets any color and you're fine. 2 bows and like a bunch of arrow packets is optional, but one bow ain't a bad idea.
Cheapest/most efficent way to make the stuff is: don't give a crap what they look like, that they're not perfect max length, or too much of a crap on how heavy they are. Make a few PVC ones, pick up some el-cheapo gold clubs at a thrift store, and just foam the suckers and tape em. Check out which ace hardware has the 6' lengths of the 5/8" foam, grab a ton (1 does a full shield easily). Get a sheet of 2" foam for tips - like a 1 foot x 2 foot sheet goes a long way, usually its like about a 2-2.5" square piece you need. Shields start with the saucer sleds (I had 2, one is perma dead now). If they're off by half an inch or so in radius, either cut em or say screw it as they're practice shields and no one will care. Get cheap cloth belt material and cheap fastners/slip clips (Cheapest is Army Surplus for both believe it or not) for straps.
One thing I forget to bring all the time is: Strips of colored fabric to either headband with, or wear around the neck, etc. Idea is for who to know is NPCs.
First aid: Yea kinda what Jay said.
Rule Book: Honestly, fighter practice is how I learned a lot of this stuff. Start with simple stuff, add on over time.
Mostly:
If you start it, they will come. Fighter practice up here started with like 3-4 of us every Sunday, no matter what just going out to practice so an event wouldn't destroy us. Then talking to others interested, then it became a FB announcement thing. JUST GET OUT THERE AND DO IT. Even if its just two of you. Advertise on FB, flyers is a good idea, but again, just go and do it for the sake of doing it.
We started with zero idea wtf we were doing and would just go out, fight 1v1, 2v2, whatever. Just a fun time. The mock monster combats came out later - I can't even remember who came up with that suggestion. Just go out, practice. As the amount of people grow, then get crazy like we've been doing. But even if you guys spend a few hours in a park just practicing 1v1 2v2 etc stuff, its worth it.
Edit: Other useful information:
"If its your first fighter practice, you have to fight..." -Trace Durden
For a while Trace and I took on newbie duty, made sure they understood how to hit, the hold rule, charging, hit locations, damage calls, etc. Mac mostly does newbie spell caster stuff.
If someone is new, old, whatever, have someone take them out, give them one weapon, weapon and shield, two weapons, whatever and just go over the BASICS - how to hold and move the shield/weapon. The idea is to build confidence/get used to whats going on. People will either hit too hard, or be WAY too shy and barely hit. Let em hit you so they're okay with the fact they wont hurt you. I actually crack myself in the head a few times to show that hey, even if you miss - see I'm fine.
Don't have to force them to continue, just at least get a weapon in their hands so they understand and feel informed of whats up.
Even returning people, ask to ensure everyone has had a chance to go out and fight once as well. We start the thing out with just casual 1v1 or whatever horsing around, and the idea is to include everyone, as everyone should have a chance to get SOME practice in. Some people self start, some people its like hey wanna go spar? Even if its the casual small group, just get people goin, even if its nothing but 1v1s.
Any advice and even help on the points above will be greatly appreciated.
