How did BotN Nationals go?

[Aaron]

Hi,

Yeah, I know "Just look on Facebook!" but I'm not on Facebook and won't be.

Anything NOT on Facebook that could be posted here, etc...?

With thanks,

-Aaron

[Robert Downey]

Here's my writeup on it, my friend...

http://wp.me/p1QYK1-eC

[Aaron]

Thank you. That was an excellent writeup and a fantastic read.

I must admit, the injury rate does give me pause. If I get as injured as some did, (a) work would ban me from fighting or (b) I would be let go...and that's far worse. I could wait until I retire, but I don't think age would make me less injury free.

At the regional practice I bounced off the turf a lot, but no injuries other than a nasty cut on the inside of my knee near the tendon. It was survivable but having a bleeding cut that close to a vital tendon was an eyeopener. So Gruber redesigned my knees so a shot won't hit there, and I'll restrap my armour so the strap dosen't cut there.

Thank you for the story.

With thanks,

-Aaron

[Signo]

Wow, very deep and interesting.
Please people, stay in one piece, or at least, reattachable pieces!
Cheers

[Robert Downey]

Thanks, guys!! I'm glad you liked it!

Aaron, all the injuries can be traced back to faulty/untweaked harness. (all but the collarbone. that was a freak accident. could have happened playing flag football)

Yes, the level of violence is significantly higher at the NT than the divisionals and regionals. This is pretty much by design.

The international competition is more violent than the NT by a factor of 6 or 10. so the idea is to prove body and equipment in a progressively escalating way so we don't break folks just getting their sea legs under them, as it were.

It should be noted that the ACL (armored combat league) here in the U.S. has more stringent safety requirements to help this process. for instance, the pole weapons being used at the NT did not exceed 3.5 lbs, whereas in international competitions, the Pole weapons can be six pounds.

it's a rough sport, but risk can be mitigated by careful thought out harness choices.

The more we do this, the more we understand how EVERY LITTLE DETAIL in armor design had a very specific purpose in the original time period.

funny concept, our ancestors knew what they were doing. Who would have thought! (wink)

[Balin50]

It was AWESOME as much fun as i had a my first SCA practice this was like that cept more choppy throwy puchy and hacky

[wcallen]

Yes, a very nice write up.

Since Aaron hasn't asked yet...

Are there any pictures those of us who don't use FB can see?

Wade

[Zubeydah]

so... is there anything that a seamstress can do to help? Do you guys need heraldic banners, tabbards, etc? Can't promise I can do a lot, but would like to help support the effort where I can!!

[Sjolander]

Where are all the videos???

[Nissan Maxima]

They are a national security secret. Shhhhhhh!

[Tascius]

The practice was great. [For Aaron- if anything it was not as painful as the Phili. practice. The ground (fine wood chips) was much softer. ] The steel two handed choppers did add a substantial pucker factor though! The rail added a HUGE element to the strategy of the 5 x 5 s. That was an education that made the trip worth while all by itself. Having three people attacking you while you hold on for dear life....

Other lessons- watching stainless steel greaves crease like tin. Spring steel for the body is a necessity.

Armour for the top of the foot- s**t happens and when it does not armouring an off target area is a mistake. I'll be adding a sabaton soon.

Getting slammed into a railing means your rib armour needs to be less flexible.

Sew in your padded helm liner- It makes cleaning the liner a pain but far less painful than being blinded by said liner.

I had a mini William Marshal moment! Glaive to the face plate dented the visor such that I could not open my helm. Due to my chain aventail this made chinstrap and thus helm removal almost impossible. One tackle later the linen padded liner in my helm twisted such that I could see out of only one eye. The last few bouts happened so fast that I had to fight twice that way. Once I had time I went to the armour repair station and was soon hammered out of my helm. Next fight.....helm stuck again.

One of the highlights was Skutai slamming half the field then, as the last man standing, playing up the crowd with a victory wave and pinwheel. I kid you not, the crowd went wild!

[Aaron]

Ooohh...I'd like to see a video of Skutai doing that.

Thank you for the update.

If you need sabatons, I've got an extra pair...

-Aaron

[Skutai]

No video. We don't want the Russians to institute any anti-cartwheel tactics.

Aaron, I'm still interested in the sabatons. Where are you located these days?

[Aaron]

I'm at Fort Meade. I'll PM you my contact information.

[Aaron]

OK, may I say WOW at the pictures on TeamSnap! WOW!!!

[Aaron]

Wow! It's STILL loading! And the photos are GREAT!

[Aaron]

EVERY kit is beautiful, and the poise shown is astounding. OK, I think the ground in Paris will shake from the power of this team...as they walk in. Yeah, I'll brag now.

[Nissan Maxima]

Here is some video that we have permission to release:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnMZTjJ- ... e=youtu.be

[Aaron]

Whoever put the action cameras on the refs...BRILLIANT! That's how to get an action photo!

[Sir Guy]

Aaron,

You are safe to fight. The Army will not ban you (we have had three soldiers fight in BOTN) and they would not let you go for getting hurt. You could also go permisive TDY as it is both a sport and spreading democracy.

My broken rib was no big deal, well other than the pain

Thank you. That was an excellent writeup and a fantastic read.

I must admit, the injury rate does give me pause. If I get as injured as some did, (a) work would ban me from fighting or (b) I would be let go...and that's far worse. I could wait until I retire, but I don't think age would make me less injury free.

At the regional practice I bounced off the turf a lot, but no injuries other than a nasty cut on the inside of my knee near the tendon. It was survivable but having a bleeding cut that close to a vital tendon was an eyeopener. So Gruber redesigned my knees so a shot won't hit there, and I'll restrap my armour so the strap dosen't cut there.

Thank you for the story.

With thanks,

-Aaron

[Caius705]

EVERY kit is beautiful, and the poise shown is astounding. OK, I think the ground in Paris will shake from the power of this team...as they walk in. Yeah, I'll brag now.

Be careful. We all remember how much fuss it was the last time a bunch of guys in heavy armor shook the streets of Paris......

[Duke Icefalcon]

so... is there anything that a seamstress can do to help? Do you guys need heraldic banners, tabbards, etc? Can't promise I can do a lot, but would like to help support the effort where I can!!

Banners would be a great help. Contact me if you are interested in doing something.

Cheers!

[9602thomas]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPBEA5hu-lY[url][/url]


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_tuF49x ... e=plcp[url][/url]

[Lloyd]

Here's my writeup on it, my friend...

http://wp.me/p1QYK1-eC

This is also very true of the difference between balsa and solid lance jousting. They are the same, but VERY DIFFERENT!

[Felix]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1dPGmKdoXI&sns=fb

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... LaYJKaDA_c#!

I didn't see these posted but then again I didn't look very hard. Hope you enjoy them.

[Murdock]

If your not on the Fb page go there, great stuff. One day i'll get to play I hope. We'll see