First Tourament- Advice and/or Ancedotes

[EnderPC]

Greetings

So as a recently authorized fighter I'm looking forward to my first fighting event in afew days. A friendship tourney. I've been practicing for a while now but I always appreciate the value of experience. I wanted to ask the fighting populace here to share any odd advice they might have or an interesting story from their first fighting event.

[Thorvald Weretiger]

If you have to puke, puke on somebody. Gives them a story so they will always remember your first tournament too.

[Oddbjorn_Mjolksiglandi]

This was advice given to me by a member of my barony who's been training me when we were paired in the first round of the tourney last weekend
"Never go into a fight assuming you will lose, there is always a chance you could win, who knows, you could enter crown for the fun of it and end up crown because everyone had dysentery. So when you start a fight, look at you opponent and think "DYSENTERY DYSENTERY DYSENTERY" smile and laugh, the laughing really unnerves them." (Lady amba)

This was great advice, always made me laugh even though they handed me my ass.
Odd

[Diglach Mac Cein]

Have fun.
Remember your cup.
"Pointy" end of weapon goes toward the opponent.
Salute your opponent, and his lady.
Have fun.
Go for the gusto - you can't wi if you don't attack.
Laugh.
Have fun.
Buy Diglach beer.

.

[Ghosteh]

I've always tried to pick something I've noticed or the thing people most point out and focus on correcting that each time I go out. As a new fighter, I feel this has helped me the most. I'd also recommend keeping your eyes open and remember that anyone and everyone can teach you something or notice something you didn't, and vice-versa, so never be afraid to ask questions! And, above all else, have fun! In the end, that's why we're all here.

[Maeryk]

Remember to breathe. Relax. Don't draw a brand new Knight in your first round.

[twoswords]

If you get defeated and you are not sure why, go and ask the other fighter what he/she did. How did they set you up, where was your defense, you offense. Do not think of it as a bum way of getting beat, see it as an opportunity to learn, and to meet new friends.

Have fun. If you get beaten, at least you stood in armor and traded blows. If you win, great, now show humbleness in victory.

[Tegan]

Don't get into a headbutting contest with Nissan no matter how much fun it looks like it might be.

-Tegan

[Alex Baird]

Fight for someone. It makes a difference.

Afterwards, stay in harness and find new people to do pick ups with. Marshal a bit so others can fight too.

[Kelby]

Make sure you get a couple warm-up fights before the tourney starts. Don't fight cold.

[Jestyr]

What Diglach and Kelby said.

Warm up. Relax. Have fun.

[Gorm]

This is my only really good tourney story...

I was a freshly authorized (2-3 months) heavy fighter, and the Atlantian tourney season started out with Ice Castles...admittedly, it's not 1v1, but 3v3...but I'm okay with that...I figure two more bodies to hide behind is probably not a bad idea.

So, I show up, and discover to my chagrin that this is the sort of tournament where the triads made themselves weeks ago, maybe months...possibly years...

Fortunately, there's a couple of other folks in the same boat, and the MOL thoughtfully introduces us to each other, so we form a team. We know we're the raw meat about to go into the Lion's Den...but hey, we're ATLANTIAN FIGHTERS DAMMIT...we can do this thing.

The first round draws come out...and our Opposition is discovered by us...it's this no named fighter...Logan something...oh...yeah....he happens to have just stepped down from the throne a couple of months back...and a pair of his squires.

So the introductions and honors on the field commence...we have about a second to come up with a strategy...someone (it may have been me, but I deny that to this day) says something along the lines of "Hey...let's just charge them at the Lay on...they'll never expect it, and maybe they'll be napping".

A quick "Sure, what the hell" emerges, just as the Marshal cries out and drops his staff to start the fight.

Two seconds later, we discover that the three of us have different ideas of the meaning of the term "charge"

Two seconds after that, we discover that we also all have different top speeds.

Two seconds after that, and my (faster than me) compatriots have gone on to Valhalla....and it's me, Logan, a pair of squires, and...nowhere near enough room between us to do me a damned bit of good.

So I did what any good fighter does...execute a brilliant tactical retreat, hoping beyond hope that maybe only one will pursue and the odds will suddenly become at least a little more even.

Yeah...that didn't happen.

What did happen was that I fell ass over teakettle just as Squire 2 was about to place a lovely head shot right on my helm.

Not my most impressive moment.

[Kilkenny]

Greetings

So as a recently authorized fighter I'm looking forward to my first fighting event in afew days. A friendship tourney. I've been practicing for a while now but I always appreciate the value of experience. I wanted to ask the fighting populace here to share any odd advice they might have or an interesting story from their first fighting event.

See that other guy in the list with you in armour?

Hit them with a stick.



Seriously, don't overthink it, have fun, don't worry about how you're going to do.

Fight, meet people, make new friends, watch other people fight, take notes (more or less literally), fight more people, talk with the people you fight, listen to what they have to say (not just about fighting you).

You should enjoy it. It should be fun. Again, don't overthink

At practice, you can work on the things you learned/saw/discovered at the event.

[Jan]

Try not to draw the guy you traveled three hours with in the first round.

Like everyone else said...breathe, relax, have fun, observe, FIGHT PICKUPS! Bring a fresh pair of clothes, including underwear, to change into afterwards.

I'll tell my first tourney story, though. I'd been fighting on and off for about four years but being a college student I never had the funds/time to have my own armor and equipment. After graduation I moved, got a job, and was able to fix all that, hooked up with the local group and started fighting regularly.

My first tourney was on a warm HUMID early summer day and after driving for a number of hours to get to the place, I arrived and signed in. When they announced the pairings I had, indeed, been paired with the knight I'd driven up with, to whom I would later squire, but he explained to the the list table that it was my first tourney, &c, so the pairing was changed.

I don't remember all of my fights, but I was 2-1 when I ran into this hot young squire who completely outclassed me. I vividly remember him legging me and saying "you have fought well and valiantly this day, but as I now have the advantage I ask you if you would yield". That was one of those things that just stuck with me. I of course refused and he beat me soundly. His name was Kein, and I hear he moved to Ansteorra and did pretty well for himself.

Afterward I fought a pickup or two, and hung out for the feast. I also learned that there had been a novice tourney as part of the tournament that day, and that I had won as I had gone furthest of the new folks. The local duke and duchess presented me with a maille belt, again with a speech about maybe someday replacing that belt with another one of a lighter color. Another thing that stuck with me.

So...go, have fun, learn things, and remember the day. You never know how things will play out.

[Diglach Mac Cein]

DON'T FORGET THE BEER!!!

What Diglach and Kelby said.

Warm up. Relax. Have fun.

[Nissan Maxima]

My first tourney fight was against Duke Frederick of Holland. I was thirteen years old.

[rhys]

Have fun, fight hard, fight to the best of your ability, respect the calls your opponents make and did I mention have fun?


Rhys

[EnderPC]

Thanks for all the good stuff guys. I'm looking forward to having a goodtime. My lady will be there so I'm going to try my best for her. She will be taking photosso I'll throw one up on the 11th. And if anyone is fighting in the Gyldenholt/Calafia friendship, I'll see you in the lists.

[DukeAvery]

In my first tourney fight at an event in the Barony of Lyondemere (iirc) I punched blocked Sir Charles of Dublin in the head. Although I did live it down (after profuse apologies), I don't recommend anyone repeat this method of reaching out if at all possible.

Regards

Avery

[Payn]

visualize your opponent laying on the ground with you standing victorious before the fight starts.

Then try to figure out how to make that happen.

[St. George]

Win your first fight and quit at the top!

[Varyag]

Like was said, fight a few rounds to warm up before. Save some energy in each fight for the finals. You don't want to be totally gassed when you are in the final match.

Fight a bunch of pick ups when the tourney is done.

[Thomas MacFinn]

Gorm, would that tourney happen to be Sheep Raids instead of Ice Castles? I swear I've lived that exact same story.

[Antonio]

Have fun. Find a castle to fight in the cellars of. Drink lots

[bigfredb]

Don't worry about your Opponent. Just go out to win.

Give him the best fight you can and do your best!

If you win, Voila!

If your opponent, die a GLORIOUS Death! (Then ask your opponent what he saw, and where you can improve)

At my first tournament a Knight gave me this advice . . .

"Fight as many fights as you can. When you feel that you can't fight another fight, fight one more for HONOR!"
~ Sir Kief (Ansteorra)

[ on a side note, I find that for new fighters humming the "Theme Song to the Smurfs" or "The wonderful thing about Tiggers" really psyches out your opponent! ]

Wish I was going to be there to meet you on the list . .

[bigfredb]

Win your first fight and quit at the top!

I disagree.

Never Quit, end on Top!

[Hrolfr]

If you have to puke, puke on somebody. Gives them a story so they will always remember your first tournament too.

Doing that in a mail drape sucks (because you usually get it all over yourself)

Remember to breathe. Relax. Don't draw a brand new Knight in your first round.

My first draw in my first tourney (about an hour after I authorized) was HG Conn MacNeil (Bob Charon here on the Archive). I had a huge kite and a short sword (26"). HG Conn was fighting sword and spear. How that spear made it past a half sheet of plywood to hit me square in the chest is totally beyond me

Have fun!

[Sigismund von Helfenstein]

Don't worry about your Opponent. Just go out to win.

Give him the best fight you can and do your best!

If you win, Voila!

If your opponent, die a GLORIOUS Death! (Then ask your opponent what he saw, and where you can improve)

At my first tournament a Knight gave me this advice . . .

"Fight as many fights as you can. When you feel that you can't fight another fight, fight one more for HONOR!"
~ Sir Kief (Ansteorra)

[ on a side note, I find that for new fighters humming the "Theme Song to the Smurfs" or "The wonderful thing about Tiggers" really psyches out your opponent! ]

Wish I was going to be there to meet you on the list . .

Sir Kief is just a whirlwind of inspiration. At my second tourney he imparted a nugget of wisdom that has stuck with me. When at a complete loss for words on how to address a legged or wounded opponent, instead of telling me what to say he told me "Words from the heart, tempered with courtesy". That was enough to put me in the right mindset to speak confidently, with honor and dignity.

[olaf haraldson]

Just make tea.

[Jestyr]

DON'T FORGET THE BEER!!!

What Diglach and Kelby said.

Warm up. Relax. Have fun.

And beer.

[Hrolfr]

My first tourney fight was against Duke Frederick of Holland. I was thirteen years old.

But then again, you ROCK

[Anton]

Ender, we require an update and story when you get back...

Anton

[Cedric]

Try not to draw the guy you traveled three hours with in the first round.
.

It helps if you don't sign in at the exact same time.

Going to sign up on the Lists is NOT a good time to show household unity.

[EnderPC]

Ender, we require an update and story when you get back...

Anton

Absolutely. one week from today. I'm jazzed up and excited. Just finished making some tweaks to my shield and chinstrap, fixed a demi gauntlet strap that came loose last practice. Went for a run, now its time to soak in the jacuzzi and think of flat snaps.

[AngusGordon]

Do not fight to "not lose". Leave it all on the list, EVERY fight. Do not get discouraged if you get blown the hell up. Do pick ups afterwards. Get all of the advice and training that you can from everyone you can. Have fun. Have fun. Have fun. Have fun.

Rinse and repeat every time you get a chance.