FIGHTING WITH YOUR OFF HAND.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Situation:
Your fighting with say "Sword and Shield" and your sword arm gets tagged.
---- ------ ------
1: You, by the rules, must fight with your hand covered with the shield.
2: You should be able to switch to the off hand in about a 90 seconds,(i.e.
very quickly). This means either setting the shield down, and being able to
have both hands legally covered. (Your gauntlets might be brought list side
before the fight for example). If you are unable to do so, then you should
yield the fight.
3: YOU SHOULD NOT EXPECT your opponent to allow you to drop your shield and
just keep fighting with your sword hand. IF YOUR OPPONENT suggest it, then
it is between the two of you. If your opponent does not suggest it then
neither you, nor anyone should think or suggest that this is in anyway a
breech of either SCA convention or an unchilvarous act. No one, other than
your opponent who has legally gained the advantage, should suggest it.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
FYI: This post arises out of comments about the fact that there is a
growing trend among many fighters to assume that they should just keep their
sword arm and drop their shield. Worse yet is a growing feeling that to not
let your opponent do so after you have tagged their arm is going to make you
look bad in the eyes of the populas, the Chiv, or the crown. This is pure
BS. Assuming that you should keep it WILL make you look bad and is
something that I and others of the Chiv do take note of.
As for offering to let some one switch, that is up to you, but I think it
is silly. You earned it, and I feel that you should let the fight proceed.
Each of us is expected to have learned to fight with our off hand for just
such an occasion, and that is the rule we all agreed to fight under.
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Sir David deKunstenaar
Midrealm, House Erine Torr
Off Hand
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David deKunstenaar
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Adriano
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I have to agree with you, David. Now, I've known a few fighters who hate fighting with their off hand so much they just concede the fight if they lose their sword arm, but that's their choice. (Actually, I think the whole SCA system of acting out the loss of a limb bears too much resemblance to that scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, so I don't often go for limbs myself.)
Greetings!
>1: You, by the rules, must fight with your hand covered with the shield.
...or protected in some way, like a gauntlet or a basket hilt....
>2: You should be able to switch to the off hand in about a 90 seconds,(i.e. very quickly). (snip) If you are unable to do so, then you should yield the fight.
I've never seen it take more than a minute or two to grab a gauntlet or yell for the marshall to help unstrap the shield arm. I understand not unduly delaying a bout, but why the insistance of yielding if there is any more that a minimum of time involved?
>3: YOU SHOULD NOT EXPECT your opponent to allow you to drop your shield and just keep fighting with your sword hand.
Do you mean getting hit on your (good) sword hand, dropping your (off) shield hand as recompence and continuing with your (good) sword hand ?????!?!?!!?!!!!!
Wow! I've never heard of such a thing! I mean, I have no idea what I'd do if someone suggested it. Is that a growing "convention" somewhere????
I'd say no way, you take what got hit.....
Timo
>1: You, by the rules, must fight with your hand covered with the shield.
...or protected in some way, like a gauntlet or a basket hilt....
>2: You should be able to switch to the off hand in about a 90 seconds,(i.e. very quickly). (snip) If you are unable to do so, then you should yield the fight.
I've never seen it take more than a minute or two to grab a gauntlet or yell for the marshall to help unstrap the shield arm. I understand not unduly delaying a bout, but why the insistance of yielding if there is any more that a minimum of time involved?
>3: YOU SHOULD NOT EXPECT your opponent to allow you to drop your shield and just keep fighting with your sword hand.
Do you mean getting hit on your (good) sword hand, dropping your (off) shield hand as recompence and continuing with your (good) sword hand ?????!?!?!!?!!!!!
Wow! I've never heard of such a thing! I mean, I have no idea what I'd do if someone suggested it. Is that a growing "convention" somewhere????
I'd say no way, you take what got hit.....
Timo
It (dropping the shield arm and fighting with the sword arm when the sword arm is hit) is pretty common most places I've fought (Aethelmarc, Atlantia, East), especially at a smaller or lower-pressure tourney. I think it's done mostly to keep the fight moving, and because having to fight with your shield held behind your back is a significant advantage, comparable to having to fight with your off hand. I realize there's a logical inconsistency, but if you keep on about those, pretty soon you'll be saying that we shouldn't be fighting from our knees 
.
As a related tangent, can anyone suggest a method for rigging the shield strapping so it can be used over an elbow cop, even one with a fan?
- Kyle
.As a related tangent, can anyone suggest a method for rigging the shield strapping so it can be used over an elbow cop, even one with a fan?
- Kyle
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David deKunstenaar
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David:
>1: You, by the rules, must fight with your hand covered with the shield.
Timo:
...or protected in some way, like a gauntlet or a basket hilt....
David:
To clairify... you must fight with the off hand, the hand that was not holding the sword, and it must be legally covered.
***
Timo:
Wow! I've never heard of such a thing! I mean, I have no idea what I'd do if someone suggested it. Is that a growing "convention" somewhere????
David:
Well, it is something that is creeping into the Midrealm, sort of like the "Point of Honor" giving up the leg when you take one thing. Fighters are starting to assume that when they loose their sword arm, they need only put their shield behind them.
BTW: I think the POH stuff is ignorant. Either give it up before the fight, or don't take your opponents legs and just aim for a specific target, if you feel that you are that much better than your opponent. bleh bleh bleh on and on..... but I ramble...
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Sir David deKunstenaar
Midrealm, House Erine Torr
>1: You, by the rules, must fight with your hand covered with the shield.
Timo:
...or protected in some way, like a gauntlet or a basket hilt....
David:
To clairify... you must fight with the off hand, the hand that was not holding the sword, and it must be legally covered.
***
Timo:
Wow! I've never heard of such a thing! I mean, I have no idea what I'd do if someone suggested it. Is that a growing "convention" somewhere????
David:
Well, it is something that is creeping into the Midrealm, sort of like the "Point of Honor" giving up the leg when you take one thing. Fighters are starting to assume that when they loose their sword arm, they need only put their shield behind them.
BTW: I think the POH stuff is ignorant. Either give it up before the fight, or don't take your opponents legs and just aim for a specific target, if you feel that you are that much better than your opponent. bleh bleh bleh on and on..... but I ramble...
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Sir David deKunstenaar
Midrealm, House Erine Torr
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David deKunstenaar
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Kyle:
It <snip>) is pretty common most places I've fought (Aethelmarc, Atlantia, East), especially at a smaller or lower-pressure tourney. I think it's done mostly to keep the fight moving, and because having to fight with your shield held behind your back is a significant advantage, comparable to having to fight with your off hand.
David: So you feel that you should be allowed to keep your arm that just got hit? When you train, do you train with a sword in your off hand? If not, why? You do know that the rules of the list in every Kingdom state that if the blow lands good on a limb, then you are not allowed to use that limb. Dropping to the off hand should not take more than 90 seconds in most cases, if it takes longer, then you are doing something wrong, and just because you have to put on a gauntlet, is no reason to cheat.
Kyle:
I realize there's a logical inconsistency, but if you keep on about those, pretty soon you'll be saying that we shouldn't be fighting from our knees .
David:
One has nothing to do with the other, fighting from the Knees is not historical, and looks ugly. But it is part of the rules, and as such, unless I enter a torunament with the agreement to suspend part of the rules, I will abide by them, all of them.
Kyle:
As a related tangent, can anyone suggest a method for rigging the shield strapping so it can be used over an elbow cop, even one with a fan?
David:
I fight with a vembrace, cop and wing and have no problem with the standard strapping, but you might concider a center grip if you just cannot handle it.
------------------
Sir David deKunstenaar
Midrealm, House Erine Torr
It <snip>) is pretty common most places I've fought (Aethelmarc, Atlantia, East), especially at a smaller or lower-pressure tourney. I think it's done mostly to keep the fight moving, and because having to fight with your shield held behind your back is a significant advantage, comparable to having to fight with your off hand.
David: So you feel that you should be allowed to keep your arm that just got hit? When you train, do you train with a sword in your off hand? If not, why? You do know that the rules of the list in every Kingdom state that if the blow lands good on a limb, then you are not allowed to use that limb. Dropping to the off hand should not take more than 90 seconds in most cases, if it takes longer, then you are doing something wrong, and just because you have to put on a gauntlet, is no reason to cheat.
Kyle:
I realize there's a logical inconsistency, but if you keep on about those, pretty soon you'll be saying that we shouldn't be fighting from our knees .
David:
One has nothing to do with the other, fighting from the Knees is not historical, and looks ugly. But it is part of the rules, and as such, unless I enter a torunament with the agreement to suspend part of the rules, I will abide by them, all of them.
Kyle:
As a related tangent, can anyone suggest a method for rigging the shield strapping so it can be used over an elbow cop, even one with a fan?
David:
I fight with a vembrace, cop and wing and have no problem with the standard strapping, but you might concider a center grip if you just cannot handle it.
------------------
Sir David deKunstenaar
Midrealm, House Erine Torr
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Aidan Cambel
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we do that in practice, jsut because its practice. I have never seen anyone do it when it counted though.
on a side note - bucklers rock for this. I mean, you don't need a gauntleted hand becuase it will have a boss. its small so weigh behind your back isn't an issue.
I wish every Marshall would take it upon themselves to see that there loaner gear includes 2 bucklers just for this (in case you both get armed). Think how much quicker it would go if you just droped your shield, the marshall or deputy handed you a buckler, and while he is handing it to you - you switch sword hands - then go.
When I get my armouring stuff ready to actually make something thats the first thing I am going to make. Heck, they don't even have to be pretty!
on a side note - bucklers rock for this. I mean, you don't need a gauntleted hand becuase it will have a boss. its small so weigh behind your back isn't an issue.
I wish every Marshall would take it upon themselves to see that there loaner gear includes 2 bucklers just for this (in case you both get armed). Think how much quicker it would go if you just droped your shield, the marshall or deputy handed you a buckler, and while he is handing it to you - you switch sword hands - then go.
When I get my armouring stuff ready to actually make something thats the first thing I am going to make. Heck, they don't even have to be pretty!
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Samuel Lee Jernigen
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I must be missing something.
I just read through the Midrealm marshals handbook and wrote Sir Myles ( past Earl Marshal ot Midrealm) and I failed to find anything resembiling these rules;1: You, by the rules, must fight with your hand covered with the shield.
2: You should be able to switch to the off hand in about a 90 seconds,(i.e.
very quickly). This means either setting the shield down, and being able to
have both hands legally covered. (Your gauntlets might be brought list side
before the fight for example). If you are unable to do so, then you should
yield the fight.
3: YOU SHOULD NOT EXPECT your opponent to allow you to drop your shield and
just keep fighting with your sword hand. IF YOUR OPPONENT suggest it, then
it is between the two of you. If your opponent does not suggest it then
neither you, nor anyone should think or suggest that this is in anyway a
breech of either SCA convention or an unchilvarous act. No one, other than
your opponent who has legally gained the advantage, should suggest it.
show me where it says this?
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Sir Samuel De Grac'e
-------------------------
I just read through the Midrealm marshals handbook and wrote Sir Myles ( past Earl Marshal ot Midrealm) and I failed to find anything resembiling these rules;1: You, by the rules, must fight with your hand covered with the shield.
2: You should be able to switch to the off hand in about a 90 seconds,(i.e.
very quickly). This means either setting the shield down, and being able to
have both hands legally covered. (Your gauntlets might be brought list side
before the fight for example). If you are unable to do so, then you should
yield the fight.
3: YOU SHOULD NOT EXPECT your opponent to allow you to drop your shield and
just keep fighting with your sword hand. IF YOUR OPPONENT suggest it, then
it is between the two of you. If your opponent does not suggest it then
neither you, nor anyone should think or suggest that this is in anyway a
breech of either SCA convention or an unchilvarous act. No one, other than
your opponent who has legally gained the advantage, should suggest it.
show me where it says this?
------------------
Sir Samuel De Grac'e
-------------------------
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David deKunstenaar
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Sir Samuel De Grac'e: "I must be missing something."
Yes, perhaps you are missing something. I never said I was quoting the rules themselves, I was PARAPHRASING them. Also, you will note that this was only a comment in the first point. In context, it was not part of 2 and 3.
Question: Is it not your understanding of the rules that if you get a proper shot in a limb, that you no longer use it? Tell me which Kingdom says anything like "If you loose a limb, keep on using it"?
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Sir David deKunstenaar
Midrealm, House Erine Torr
Yes, perhaps you are missing something. I never said I was quoting the rules themselves, I was PARAPHRASING them. Also, you will note that this was only a comment in the first point. In context, it was not part of 2 and 3.
Question: Is it not your understanding of the rules that if you get a proper shot in a limb, that you no longer use it? Tell me which Kingdom says anything like "If you loose a limb, keep on using it"?
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Sir David deKunstenaar
Midrealm, House Erine Torr
Sir David: First off, I made a typo. "Advantage" should have been "disadvantage". Secondly, the practice of allowing the "armed" fighter to put his shield behind his back is informal only, and is only done at the allowance of the other fighter. If the other fighter doesn't offer or doesn't allow it, the armed fighter must still fight with his off hand. I did not say that an armed fighter is entitled to keep his good arm. If it is accepted by the other fighter it is not considered cheating. If the other fighter doesn't allow it, it is not seen as dishonorable, so the other fighter is under no outside compunction to grant it. Mainly, it's done to keep things moving. Yes, we practice off-hand swordwork, although rarely.
Aethelmarc rules require an elbow pad and hand protection behind the shield. I can get this under my strapping without difficulty. My bazubands with wings (to meet regs) are another story. I also don't like forcing my opponent to cool his heels while I run off to hunt through my armor bag. I also hate to yield if I think I still have a chance of winning, or at least of having fun for the rest of the fight.
If you saw insult in my comments, I apologize as that was not my intent. It seems, however, that we are in disagreement about the key issue. If we meet in combat, and you arm me, I will switch to my off hand in a reasonable amount of time or yield. If I arm you, I may offer that you keep your good arm, which you are free to decline. Acceptable?
- Kyle
Aethelmarc rules require an elbow pad and hand protection behind the shield. I can get this under my strapping without difficulty. My bazubands with wings (to meet regs) are another story. I also don't like forcing my opponent to cool his heels while I run off to hunt through my armor bag. I also hate to yield if I think I still have a chance of winning, or at least of having fun for the rest of the fight.
If you saw insult in my comments, I apologize as that was not my intent. It seems, however, that we are in disagreement about the key issue. If we meet in combat, and you arm me, I will switch to my off hand in a reasonable amount of time or yield. If I arm you, I may offer that you keep your good arm, which you are free to decline. Acceptable?
- Kyle
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Robert Clark Carruth
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Samuel Lee Jernigen
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Although I agree with the issue.
if your struck you lose that part of your body and its use for the remainder of the fight. Yet I cant fathom why anyone would see more of a threat in a one armed guy using his dominate hand instead of changing to his shield arm, Especially if your not giving a Point of honor in meeting your foe on equal terms irregardless of what damage you have done to them.
I guess it comes down to what game your playing. personally I do give points of honor, IMO its a more enjoyable test of arms if I fight my opponant on equal terms and disregard what I "earned". For my part if taking a mans arm then facing him with both mine "earns" me a victory easier than facing him with equal arms, Id rather earn Renown for being Excessivly fair.. I can win a tourney on any given weekend, I Earn renown all through the year...I figure Mercy is a virtue of the strong, I dont mean Overall, I mean that instant you've taken a guy down to one arm, no legs, and little hope. now you have the power to show mercy and make it a fair fight again. IMO it say much of a mans charicter if he is willing to level the playing field. you can decline this offer of a level playing field if its not to your liking. Quite often I've fought a person and in one bout given them a point of honor the entire time only to have them not do so to me in the next. I think nothing less of them and wouldnt expect everyone to follow my logic. yet I consider it bad form for someone to belittle my sincere action because thier not a fan.
If you see this "Limb Swapping" say something to them expressing your displeasure. Then you can recite the rules to them and enjoy your earnings......
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Sir Samuel De Grac'e
-------------------------
if your struck you lose that part of your body and its use for the remainder of the fight. Yet I cant fathom why anyone would see more of a threat in a one armed guy using his dominate hand instead of changing to his shield arm, Especially if your not giving a Point of honor in meeting your foe on equal terms irregardless of what damage you have done to them.
I guess it comes down to what game your playing. personally I do give points of honor, IMO its a more enjoyable test of arms if I fight my opponant on equal terms and disregard what I "earned". For my part if taking a mans arm then facing him with both mine "earns" me a victory easier than facing him with equal arms, Id rather earn Renown for being Excessivly fair.. I can win a tourney on any given weekend, I Earn renown all through the year...I figure Mercy is a virtue of the strong, I dont mean Overall, I mean that instant you've taken a guy down to one arm, no legs, and little hope. now you have the power to show mercy and make it a fair fight again. IMO it say much of a mans charicter if he is willing to level the playing field. you can decline this offer of a level playing field if its not to your liking. Quite often I've fought a person and in one bout given them a point of honor the entire time only to have them not do so to me in the next. I think nothing less of them and wouldnt expect everyone to follow my logic. yet I consider it bad form for someone to belittle my sincere action because thier not a fan.
If you see this "Limb Swapping" say something to them expressing your displeasure. Then you can recite the rules to them and enjoy your earnings......
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Sir Samuel De Grac'e
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FrauHirsch
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I have never heard of this, but if I get an advantage, I did it on purpose and I expect people to follow the standard rules. At 5' 2", chopping opponents to bits is sometimes all I have. Its all about angles and openings.
I've had a few big off handed guys still outpower me and outreach me if I drop my shield. I've had one guy still TALLER than me when he was on his knees... and his reach was almost a foot longer..
Actually whether I drop my shield as a POH depends a lot on who I'm fighting.
Juliana
I've had a few big off handed guys still outpower me and outreach me if I drop my shield. I've had one guy still TALLER than me when he was on his knees... and his reach was almost a foot longer..
Actually whether I drop my shield as a POH depends a lot on who I'm fighting.
Juliana
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Vitus von Atzinger
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Are there people who refuse to wear an elbow cop on their shield arm so that if their on-hand gets hit, they can retain it's use? The key is making sure that your shield elbow has no wing, like what I am wearing here-
http://www.armourarchive.org/ubb/Forum2/HTML/000259.html
My on-hand vambrace has a wing while my off-hand one doesn't. This way my left arm fits comfortably under my shield, but if I have to switch hands, my elbow is still well protected.
If I want to fight without a shield, I put on my other left arm vambrace, which has a winged cop. Make sure that you are using matching half gauntlets (or padded gloves with a stiff plastic thumb), and use a leather box to cover the fingers of your shield hand. Problem solved.
Of course, counted blows eliminates the need to worry about any of this...
-V
http://www.armourarchive.org/ubb/Forum2/HTML/000259.html
My on-hand vambrace has a wing while my off-hand one doesn't. This way my left arm fits comfortably under my shield, but if I have to switch hands, my elbow is still well protected.
If I want to fight without a shield, I put on my other left arm vambrace, which has a winged cop. Make sure that you are using matching half gauntlets (or padded gloves with a stiff plastic thumb), and use a leather box to cover the fingers of your shield hand. Problem solved.
Of course, counted blows eliminates the need to worry about any of this...
-V
Well, its clear no one here has been fighting in the West for the last ten years or so *grin*. What David describes had become a regular event at fighter practice, and it eventually became the norm at tournamemnt. The whole thing got so out of hand that the Kindom Earl Marshal felt it necessary to several times re-inforce through proclamation the 'practice' of switching hands at Crown events (read: Crown Tournament). Of couse, in the West, twice repeated is a habit, thrice done is a venerated custom; so its no surprise that this aberation crept undetected into the martial psyche before we knew it *big grin*.
I leave it to the more more active Western fighters who frequent this 'Board to report if this is still a concern in the West kingdom... -c-
I leave it to the more more active Western fighters who frequent this 'Board to report if this is still a concern in the West kingdom... -c-
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Otto von Teich
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I agree with David, If the arm gets hit,you should switch arms. It shouldnt take more than a minute or two. Of course Gaston and Vitus have a great point about counted blows, I've tried it, I LIKE it! It gives the underdog (Me) a little better chance to put on a good show.The only down side, is its somewhat difficult to keep track,but not really that hard.But at times I'm not sure if I've been hit four times or five.Another alternative I like is to fight for a set period of time,like three minutes,and not take any blows.And when the herald sounds the trumpet,let the judges decide the victor, unless someone yeilds before the end of the round...Otto
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IainMcClennan
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While I don't give the point of honor when taking legs (why even swing at them?) I will often offer to let my opponent drop their shield and continue with the on hand to keep the fight moving. I might drop my own as well, not to even the odds but because I like to fight single sword.
In a tournament, if they drop their shield, I'll keep my own, if they switch hands I might drop my shield. In this case I'm conceding some, but not all of the advantage.
If someone hits my arm, and allows me to continue with my shield behind my back, then I will yield if struck again in either arm- the right arm would be counted as a body, the left is the loss of my remaining arm, even if I am actually using the right.
In Caid, everyone else apparently hates single sword, and the more common custom in practices is to simply tell your opponent to ignore it. Arm hunting is frowned on in Caid (if you stick it out there I will hit it, though not hard). When an arm is struck, it is often by mistake so the average Caid fighter is happy to forego an advantage they didn't seek. I don't believe in his myself, I think any good strike should have a consequence. If they want me to not act out an arm blow, I would prefer to then declare the bout to be for 3 blows, with the arm counting as 1 strike against me.
Iain
In a tournament, if they drop their shield, I'll keep my own, if they switch hands I might drop my shield. In this case I'm conceding some, but not all of the advantage.
If someone hits my arm, and allows me to continue with my shield behind my back, then I will yield if struck again in either arm- the right arm would be counted as a body, the left is the loss of my remaining arm, even if I am actually using the right.
In Caid, everyone else apparently hates single sword, and the more common custom in practices is to simply tell your opponent to ignore it. Arm hunting is frowned on in Caid (if you stick it out there I will hit it, though not hard). When an arm is struck, it is often by mistake so the average Caid fighter is happy to forego an advantage they didn't seek. I don't believe in his myself, I think any good strike should have a consequence. If they want me to not act out an arm blow, I would prefer to then declare the bout to be for 3 blows, with the arm counting as 1 strike against me.
Iain
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sebastian
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This is becoming common place in An Tir as well.
I as a marshal have been trying to reenforce off hand fighting at our fighter practices.
Some of the other local marshals have actually seen it in tournies. We have brought it up to the Kingdom earl Marshal and he has advised the An Tir marshals to encourage off hand fighting around the kingdom.
As stated above, I think it is coming from Fighter practices and fighters wanting to keep the fighting going.
(rant mode on)
Personally, I think it is rude for another fighter to tell me not to take a blow when I have called it good.
It is also rude for a fighter to be so impatient, that they can't wait a minute or two for me to remove my shield to fight off hand.
Yes it breaks up the flow of the fight. And yes it can screw up someone's timing.
We need to remember that SCA combat is 50% Fighting and 50% showmanship. We are not fighting just for the sake of fighting. We are on that List to show our skill, chivalry, and honor. Not only for ourselves, but for our insperation as well.
So I encourage you, the next time someone says "Oh just drop the shield" reply "With respect to your skill, my honor and the respect of the populace gathered here, please wait a moment while I rearm myself."
Also, when was the last time you saw someone, armed with a great weapon, get legged or armed, and the opponent offered them the chance to rearm themselves?
Both of these are points of honor that many people (at least here) choose to ignore.
Sebastian
I as a marshal have been trying to reenforce off hand fighting at our fighter practices.
Some of the other local marshals have actually seen it in tournies. We have brought it up to the Kingdom earl Marshal and he has advised the An Tir marshals to encourage off hand fighting around the kingdom.
As stated above, I think it is coming from Fighter practices and fighters wanting to keep the fighting going.
(rant mode on)
Personally, I think it is rude for another fighter to tell me not to take a blow when I have called it good.
It is also rude for a fighter to be so impatient, that they can't wait a minute or two for me to remove my shield to fight off hand.
Yes it breaks up the flow of the fight. And yes it can screw up someone's timing.
We need to remember that SCA combat is 50% Fighting and 50% showmanship. We are not fighting just for the sake of fighting. We are on that List to show our skill, chivalry, and honor. Not only for ourselves, but for our insperation as well.
So I encourage you, the next time someone says "Oh just drop the shield" reply "With respect to your skill, my honor and the respect of the populace gathered here, please wait a moment while I rearm myself."
Also, when was the last time you saw someone, armed with a great weapon, get legged or armed, and the opponent offered them the chance to rearm themselves?
Both of these are points of honor that many people (at least here) choose to ignore.
Sebastian
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horsefriend
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Cheval,
I'm a westie and I've only had someone do this once, they were very new and HAD picked up the habbit at practice. "Pardon my Lord, but which arm did I strike?" made them think and switch arms.
I believe strongly in doing everything at practice just as how it would be done on the field. And da&@$!t wearing armor only on your sword arm is pure "sport".
Stopping the fight for an indefinite time while something is kludged up to protect the off arm is discourteous to your opponent, the one for whom you fight, the gallery, etc. If you are not prepared to surrender a fairly struck limb, surrender the fight!
Sorry, minor rant.
Alail
I'm a westie and I've only had someone do this once, they were very new and HAD picked up the habbit at practice. "Pardon my Lord, but which arm did I strike?" made them think and switch arms.
I believe strongly in doing everything at practice just as how it would be done on the field. And da&@$!t wearing armor only on your sword arm is pure "sport".
Stopping the fight for an indefinite time while something is kludged up to protect the off arm is discourteous to your opponent, the one for whom you fight, the gallery, etc. If you are not prepared to surrender a fairly struck limb, surrender the fight!
Sorry, minor rant.
Alail
I didnt think about it at first, but now I realize why y'all seem upset with people taking so long to switch hands. Some Kingdoms don't wear armour on that arm!
( Slaps self on forehead w/ silly stick)
That always throws me for a loop at Gulf or Pennsic. Here we require both arms to be armoured. The vambrace is required in Ansteorra, so switchovers are not a big thing. I guess thats also why the "take the other arm instead" thing is'nt really seen here either.
I never really understood not wearing your vams/elbow under your shield. Just luggin another optional piece of armour around is a pain in the a&& for me.
Timo
( Slaps self on forehead w/ silly stick)
That always throws me for a loop at Gulf or Pennsic. Here we require both arms to be armoured. The vambrace is required in Ansteorra, so switchovers are not a big thing. I guess thats also why the "take the other arm instead" thing is'nt really seen here either.
I never really understood not wearing your vams/elbow under your shield. Just luggin another optional piece of armour around is a pain in the a&& for me.
Timo
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Gaston
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It would be absolutely wonderful to find one, just one, period example of any of the following being done in a tourney, any tourney of any type:
-the "lost arm" convention
-the kneeling convention
-casting aside your (pick an item) because your opponent has lost his
I'm not being sarcastic, I'd love to see the reference, there might be one or more out there.
-the "lost arm" convention
-the kneeling convention
-casting aside your (pick an item) because your opponent has lost his
I'm not being sarcastic, I'd love to see the reference, there might be one or more out there.