The Armour Archive

Let's see,

1. Work on my equipment for the next 6 months - more comfortable strapping means better fighting
2. Continue the fitness journey - mix it up a bit, try some more weights and less distance running
3. Move to a country that has SCA so I can actually fight (I'll be back in the DC area starting September of 2013)
4. Get out to some practices and adjust my calibration to Atlantia
5. Get into a few good scraps and see what I learn from them.

Hit someone with a piece of rattan.

I haven't done it yet due to not having armour done.
So getting my armour done is the precursor to the above.

But my goal this year is to hit someone with a piece of rattan

Improve hard kit.
Improve soft kit.
Improve camp.
Hit Caius with great axe for not telling me he plays chess.
Play Caius in chess.
Get started on the major shield A&S project that I have been wanting to do.
Get into better shape.
Learn to fight spear.
Try to avoid injuries that side-line me for several months.

Atli Karlsson wrote: Hit Caius with great axe for not telling me he plays chess.
Play Caius in chess.

I am on the chess website Gameknot.com as SteveTaylor - drop me a challenge if you ever fancy a game!

Fighting goals?
1) Continue to improve my cardio
2) Retrain myself (again) to fight off the linear when using a strapped shield.
3) Win one of "the 5" Baronial Champion tourneys here in Trimaris
Fighting related goals?
1) Finish my new helm
2) Finish my new gauntlets

Atli Karlsson wrote: Hit Caius with great axe for not telling me he plays chess.
Play Caius in chess

Make you a deal Atli.

Make a board and pieces, I'll play you in this too

http://www.martialtaichi.co.uk/articles/Tafl_Rules.pdf

And in chess. I used to be on the poor side of decent, now I suspect I'm much worse. Think its one of the things I need to know and be proficient at though.

Hmmm...looks simple enough...I should be able to have a rudimentary board for us to learn on by Sunday practice.

Cool. If you don't have time to cook up pieces, quarters dimes and nickles will work in a pinch I bet.

Kenwrec Wulfe wrote: 2) Retrain myself (again) to fight off the linear when using a strapped shield.

If a humble newb may ask, what does this mean?

Kenwrec Wulfe wrote: 2) Retrain myself (again) to fight off the linear when using a strapped shield.

If a humble newb may ask, what does this mean?

scott2978 wrote:

Kenwrec Wulfe wrote: 2) Retrain myself (again) to fight off the linear when using a strapped shield.

If a humble newb may ask, what does this mean?

Its been a number of years since I have used a strapped shield, as opposed to a center grip. An old habit that I had, that I'd trained myself out of doing, was fighting in a very linear fashion, as opposed to stepping off that straight line to my opponent. Since picking it back up a couple months ago, I have found myself falling back into the habit of fighting in that straight line again. I don't do with with a center-grip, nor two weapon, nor pole, great sword, single sword, etc... Only seems to happen when I get behind a strapped shield.

Gym
strap and pad new helm
get to practice more often

While I have many demands on my SCA time this thread has reminded me that I'm still hale and mostly whole and should do this physical stuff while I'm young(ish).

Hmm...

Finish getting a hard kit together. (By Jan 31st)
Build a Pell. (By Jan 15th)
Get authorized. (Hoping to get this knocked out at the War College in Raven's Fort Feb 15-17.)
Make at least 1 practice a week. (Ongoing)

I am already working on some diet changes along with moving into a solid exercise program.

Running a bit behind but Pell is completed and I just need to assemble a couple of kits to finish off my initial set of armor. Already planning some replacement pieces though

Getting authorized is not going to happen by the hoped date but soon...

Well, I'm late to the party. But:

1) Get down to the right weight. I've lost ten; forty to go.

2) Try once again to fulfill my pledge to win the Silver Hammer Tourney with a greatsword.

3) Try to win each fight. (I don't always do this; tend to empathize too much with my opponent. Unless I'm facing more than one opponent, which I love.)

Might rejoin Adria and play again but with a different Duchy. I think the HEMA group near me died out unfortunately. I need to get some spark going before I sell my armor.

I think 2013 will be the year I give up fighting entirely. I've already started converting some of my equipment into wall decorations. I regret that I never got to fight Sir Vitus.

Steve

1. Survive Afghanistan!!
2. Fight as soon as I get home!
3. Finish upgrades on hard kit.
4. Most importantly while I'm here, work in some pell work in my FOB 2-3 times a week

1. Authorize in Great Weapons, Two weapons, CA. (In addition to S&S)
2. Complete my heavy kit (I currently don't have anything)
3. Fight and win against my rival Talieson Tegwas

I know its kinda late now to be posting new years resolutions in April but I suppose I should have it documented somewhere what my goals for this year are, Hopefully I'm not raising the dead by adding to this thread. Some people can be finicky about those things, errr forum necromancy and all.

My new years resolutions for swordsmanship doesn't so much involve swordplay as it does prepping for it:

*Complete first combat kit & soft kit (period accurate to preferred persona).
*Make an SCA approved rattan bastard sword.
*Start a cardiovascular exercise regime for the weekends.
*Lose 40lbs.
*Work on weight training. Focus on muscle toning of primary target muscle groups affected most by swordsmanship (Triceps, Deltoids, Upper back, Forearms).
*Obtain Reliable Transportation to allow for attending SCA meetings.
*Sign up for SCA and start attending the local social meets.
*Get certified to fight and attend combat practices weekly.

I re-read my 2013 resolutions, and well, they suck ass. Here are some new ones:

1. Make all my swords with planed edges from now on, so its easier to tell when I'm throwing flat. I'm seeing way too many videos (and in-person demonstrations) of fighters throwing ridiculous shots that can't possibly land on edge. I can't fix those people, but I can make sure I don't look like those club-wielding morons.

2. Limit discussions of fights to the absolute minimum. I really don't like the "discussion trend" that seems to be cropping up all over the SCA. "It glanced off my ego and struck me. There's no way it's good." Or even better: "It hit my shield (of bullshit) on the way in." Whatever. I'm only interested in "Good," "Light," and "Low."

3. I'll fall down in tournaments when defeated. I think this is a courtesy to the onlookers, clearly letting them know the fight's over. Watching two guys swing the guilt hammer down on one another for a couple minutes without a clear resolution just looks like crap, and takes away from my enjoyment of the game. Plus, if I properly follow #2, someone should be falling down right quick.

4. I'll deliver good, solid blows, and give my opponent the courtesy of not having to question them. The converse of this is something I do already, which is be aware of the blow I'm throwing, and call it as such when I've thrown something with poor form.

5. I'll maintain my cool in melee/war scenarios, even when egregious cheating is occurring in front of me. I'll have any conversation needed with the fighters in question when I'm calm, and can actually have a rational discussion.

Sir Slaughter, I think a lot of people on this server would disagree with you regarding the muscle groups used for swordsmanship. Personally, I find that core exercises and leg exercises matter as well. Grip strength is very important. If you focus on arms, shoulders, and back, you'll end up getting tired pretty quickly.

That being said, good luck. Having a plan of attack is a great start, as long as you know that you'll need to change it now and again. Let us know if we can help.

Cian Shay wrote:Sir Slaughter, I think a lot of people on this server would disagree with you regarding the muscle groups used for swordsmanship. Personally, I find that core exercises and leg exercises matter as well. Grip strength is very important. If you focus on arms, shoulders, and back, you'll end up getting tired pretty quickly.

That being said, good luck. Having a plan of attack is a great start, as long as you know that you'll need to change it now and again. Let us know if we can help.

Cool thanks for the tip, I'll add that in my regimen.

Just curious though, the core exercises I get, but how does the leg workouts fit into all of this?

It's just like boxing, any muscle group that is weak will go kaput on you earlier than the others, and you'll lose everything along with it.

Also, a lot of sword play generates power in the thigh, ass, and hip.

Finally, if you want to lose weight, a good way to do it is to replace fat with muscle, or gain muscle. Muscle burns more calories, even resting, than fat. The legs, ass, and hips have more muscle in them than your arms, shoulders and back.

1. Complete Fighting Kit for Heavy (Done)
2. Attend 1 Heavy Practice and 1-2 Rapier Practices a week
3. Authorize Sword/Shield and Spear at Border Raids (Done)
4. Fight my first heavy event (Border Raids) (Done)
5. Win 2-3 Tourneys in Rapier this year (Currently at 2 for the season)
6. Have a good showing for Midrealm Rapier Champions Team at Pennsic
7. Finish my 1000 bouts for Midrelam 1k by the end of the fighting season. (Currently at 405 bouts in 4 events)

My Resolutions this year are split between both Rapier and Heavy.

Lucas wrote:I 2. Limit discussions of fights to the absolute minimum. I really don't like the "discussion trend" that seems to be cropping up all over the SCA. "It glanced off my ego and struck me. There's no way it's good." Or even better: "It hit my shield (of bullshit) on the way in." Whatever. I'm only interested in "Good," "Light," and "Low."

3. I'll fall down in tournaments when defeated. I think this is a courtesy to the onlookers, clearly letting them know the fight's over. Watching two guys swing the guilt hammer down on one another for a couple minutes without a clear resolution just looks like crap, and takes away from my enjoyment of the game. Plus, if I properly follow #2, someone should be falling down right quick.

As a spectator, because that's unfortunately all I've been, I applaud both of these.

Sometimes shots are questionable, and need some clarification. But those should be the exception, not the rule. The ones I truly hate are the huddles, sometimes with 4-5 people, where once the huddle is broken someone dies or the fight goes on WITH NO EXPLANATION.

Falling down takes extra effort, and I greatly appreciate that effort. I know you're friends hittign each other with sticks. But we're all playing dress up make believe, and you falling down after a good blow "helps my medieval experience"

Fall down, fall on your knees or simply bow and salute the winner.

I've seen many fights that simply end with one of the fighters grunting "good" and then the fighters simply walk off the field. Unless you were close enough to hear which of them said good you might not know who won. Some simple visible acknowledgement will clear this up.

Another thing that would help is a herald that announces the fighters before the fight and the winner after. Although it seems to be hard to find a good herald for tournaments. I suppose it really depends wether the particular tourney has been set up just for fighters or not but every now and then it would be nice to have an "audience friendly" tourney with some pomp and circumstance. Even if that means that it causes some extra effort or for the fighters.

Convert more sword and board monkeys to the glory of Great Weapons!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uaHGtkSL2U

Finish OCS this summer, and comission. (since I can't get my helm repaired) buy a new bascinet from Icefalcon and get my chain repaired and back in fighting shape. Possibly make new cuisses as white just gets too dirty too fast.
Then start making practices regularly again at least once per week.

Skutai wrote:Punch a Russian in the face on the vasty fields of France.

Mission Accomplished.

1: Improve footwork
2: Improve physical conditioning
3: Find out what is wrong with my shoulder

Skutai wrote:

Skutai wrote:Punch a Russian in the face on the vasty fields of France.

Mission Accomplished.

You guys did great! What is next year's goal?

Last Year, Earn a spot on Team USA for the BOTN. Completed.

This year: Earn a spot on the 21 man team for the BOTN. Compete again in the 1v1. 4th place last year.

Dan Kitka

With the year drawing to a close, let us look back on our goals as outlined here, and see how we did!

If your goals for 2013 involved getting healthy enough to fight again, were you successful?

If you wanted to win certain tourneys, how did you do in them?

If you were changing your fight in some manner, what were your results?

For myself, I am going to say only that I was overwhelmingly fortunate to enjoy a year so chock-full of top notch opponents, exciting tournaments, camaraderie with noble friends, and glorious memories.

Say what you will about the drama, butthurt, rule changes, Pennsic teams, etc. but there is nothing in the world to compare to the Life of Arms.

I didn't make any resolutions.

Therefore I win?

-Aaron

2/11

Not a bad year for me.