How do YOU count the blows?

hjalmr · Post by **hjalmr** » Fri Dec 14, 2001 4:54 pm

Here's a question for everyone:

How do YOU do counted blows?

I've seen it done two ways.
1) After each counted blow the combatants seperate and re-engage.
2) Swing till you win.

Which do you prefer.

Hjalmr
Middle Kingdom

PS: I'm for #2.

Dmitriy · Post by **Dmitriy** » Fri Dec 14, 2001 5:12 pm

2 is far better, I think

Prince Of Darkmoor · Post by **Prince Of Darkmoor** » Fri Dec 14, 2001 5:28 pm

Decided to edit my post after rereading the question. We practice the first method. Once a point is called by one of the four judges, the fighters disengage and square off again. The judges (and everybody else, for that matter) keep track of the points in their head and since we only go to three, it isn't hard to remember the score.

Some of it is based on the honor system with the fighters though. It's not uncommon for the fighters to disengage on their own without a point being called and then one guy admit that he got a point scored on him. The judges can't catch all the points.

[This message has been edited by Prince Of Darkmoor (edited 12-14-2001).]

Morgan · Post by **Morgan** » Fri Dec 14, 2001 5:34 pm

Vocalize the count and keep swinging. "That's one my lord! WACK!"

Brandr · Post by **Brandr** » Fri Dec 14, 2001 6:12 pm

Both are excellent, though the second case at the barrier is my favorite, I think. Of course, for the higher numbers it helps to have someone else do the counting. You just shout "good" and your herald calls out the count.

Of course another fun way to do counted blows is thrown. My favorite is to throw a fixed number of blows a peice and to take turns defending. You throw five blows while I defend and the I throw five blows while your defend. Works great for shieldless styles at the barrier!

Brandr

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Fri Dec 14, 2001 6:49 pm

I prefer #1, because it gives the Heralds time to tell the Gallery about the fight, and it also gives the combatants a chance to communicate. The tone is more gentlemanly, but I am perfectly willing to use the second system as well.

To clarify, version #1 has long been in use at Pas all over the Known World - FOR SINGLE COMBAT in the field or at the barrier. In group combats, the second system is generally what is used. Does this clear up things a bit? Pauses have been traditionally used in all single combats, no pauses for melee (unless you have been instructed to "cry your cry" after each good hit like at the Pas at Pennsic last summer).
Both versions work as long as both combatants know what is expected of them.
-Vitus

Richard Blackmoore · Post by **Richard Blackmoore** » Fri Dec 14, 2001 7:22 pm

Without pauses, it can be quite funny when the opponent is a newbie. "One!Two!Three!Damnmit" was once heard without pause in one of the Pennsic Pas's years ago, as somebody managed to get hit on both sides of the head and take shot to the body from a single combination thrown. Quite amusing.

[This message has been edited by Richard Blackmoore (edited 12-15-2001).]

Bob H · Post by **Bob H** » Sat Dec 15, 2001 12:15 am

Group combat at the barrier leads to the Sesame Street counting method - "one....two...many!!!"

Alcyoneus · Post by **Alcyoneus** » Sat Dec 15, 2001 1:27 pm

I'm not sure I want to know what a Pennis Pas is...

Morgan · Post by **Morgan** » Sat Dec 15, 2001 3:53 pm

Alcyoneus...that's where "counted blows" are VERY significant!

Richard Blackmoore · Post by **Richard Blackmoore** » Sat Dec 15, 2001 10:44 pm

Wow. Pennis should have been Pennsic. Major Typo.

Murdock · Post by **Murdock** » Sun Dec 16, 2001 12:12 am

I like version 2

Brodir · Post by **Brodir** » Sun Dec 16, 2001 12:49 am

The only time we ever fight counted blows is at demo/entertainment situations, we did a staff party in October where we fought to 10 blows, pausing after each good blow to announce it. It's not that I prefer it as a combat system, but folks seem to be more able to follow it, seem to get more enjoyment from it, and it gives them an obvious goal for their favorite fighter to work towards, rather than just throwing wraps till you need water.

Broðir

Bob H · Post by **Bob H** » Sun Dec 16, 2001 1:19 am

Version 2.

I've always disliked the "clash, break off, discuss" pace of many tourney fights.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Dec 16, 2001 11:30 pm

ill take option 2.

the few times i have done anything with counted blows i just call it by saying "good 1,2,3" and fall down on 3

Ulrich · Post by **Ulrich** » Mon Dec 17, 2001 3:49 pm

my normal way of counting blows is by yelling
"good" as i fall down, occasionally its "OW! Good".
but thats just me.

Ulrich

IainMcClennan · Post by **IainMcClennan** » Tue Dec 18, 2001 9:23 pm

Version 1 is like fighting 3 bouts in a row standard SCA style. The only difference is you count limbs as a "yield" rather than amputation. Fighting non-stop changes the tactics, let's you suck up that gun-fighter's tap as you jump in his shorts.

Iain