The Armour Archive

Any tips? I am going to my first practice tonight- have made repairs to the "loaner" armor to make it wearable (I even added some spaulders I made to add upper arm protection!).
Not sure what the format will be-
Also, can someone explain qualifying?
Note that I am not completely new to fighting:
I have been fighting Dagorhir (foam weapons) for a couple of years.
Thanks!

Have Fun!

Hi!

1. Drink enough.
2. There are no stupid questions.
3. Oh - and have fun!


Will

....and don't forget to tell anyone you fight you are still learning

Eric

Pretty much what I figured. Thanks for the responses!

Um...remember to avoid shield-bashing, grappling, and targeting the lower legs.

By "qualifying" did you mean "authorizing"?

The authorization process is in place to ensure that you're reasonably well trained enough so that you're not a danger to yourself or others. You do not authorize to fight at practices, but to fight at events. So, go to practice. Enjoy yourself. Then start asking questions at the next practice about the authorization process where you are. It varies widely from kingdom to kingdom.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by WaaaghBoss:
<B>Any tips? I am going to my first practice tonight- have made repairs to the "loaner" armor to make it wearable (I even added some spaulders I made to add upper arm protection!).
Not sure what the format will be-
Also, can someone explain qualifying?
Note that I am not completely new to fighting:
I have been fighting Dagorhir (foam weapons) for a couple of years.
Thanks!</B></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I came into the SCA from Dagorhir years ago.
-Keep your shield *UP*, your shins are not a legal target area anymore.
-Keep your head back, it is now a legal (and preferred) target.
-Don't punch or grapple.

Authorization is mainly a test to determine if you are a safety threat to yourself or others. Read the Society rules of the list and your kingdom's supplemental rules of the list. Know the legal target areas. Expect someone to yell "Hold!" at some point during the authorization. Know how to fall down and die in a defensive position. If you don't understand anything, ask questions. Remember, it's not about being or looking good, it's about being safe.

If this is your first practice you may want to hold off on authorizing. You don't have to be authorized to fight at a practice. Take some time to learn the rules (and make sure you read the rules, people often get them wrong).

Have fun and smash heads.

Thanks everyone for the input and responses! Just curious about aughorizing- will do it at some point (at the last meeting I went to someone mentioned I could try at Simple on Saturday in Indainapolis).
Thanks for the reminders on the no leg shots, shield up, head back!

Simple Day is probably your last chance to authorize before this years Pennsic.

The Simple Day web site:

http://www.midrealm.org/sternfeld/Simpleday.html

Lists the Armoured combat Marshal in Charge as:

Padruig Milne Gordon
(Patrick Mills)
5432 Milhouse
Indianapolis, IN 46221
(317) 821-1769
deteal@yahoo.com

If you plan on attempting an authorization, I'd suggest contacting him ASAP to find out when the armoured combat authorizations are planned for.

-Keith/Austin.

There will be all day authorizations at Simple Day. But I suggest authorizing as early as possible so you'll get to play with the rest of us. If you're feeling especially adventurous on your first day of authorization, join in the melee. Watch out for the spears.

Garth

I am going to try and authorise at simple- the earlier the better so I can play with everyone else.
Pensic is not in my future (this year anyway) so that isn't so much of an issue.
Can I authorise with only two SCAdian fighter practices under my belt?

As with everything "it depends."

Since the authorization process is to ensure safety, it just depends on how hard-core the authorizing marshall is and how safe you appear to be.

There's no way to gauge those two things via the internet. The best answer I can give is "Yes, it's POSSIBLE. Don't expect it."

I survived! Had a ton of fun, and did pretty well- I was the victor in a majority of the bouts, although I think they were going easy on me.
The loaner armor legs are a little short and a little big, but OK. The helm could really use some help.
Thanks to all who gave me advice!
I did drink lots of water.
I did keep my shield up and head back.
I never bashed anybody's shins.
I had a LOT OF FUN!

To give you an idea. I got authorised after 1 SCA fighter practice. That fighter practice i had somewhat knee protection, kidney protection, helm, sheild and arms. No cup and barely anything for the body. Basicaly the fighters continualy hit me in the head. Was accuacly quite a commical scene to watch. To authorize, read rules of the list, know the target areas, armor standards help. Know how do die defencivly.

Saranac

and note to myself, either get a spell checker, proof read, or get a dictionary.

[This message has been edited by Depths_of_Mind (edited 07-26-2002).]

I authorised (I was actually the first one to do so at SD), and got to play in the melee's. Sword & shield on a bridge battle = dead me. The field battles were a blast though. Much much fun... Now I really wanna go to Pensic, but think I will save my $$$ for armor. Pensic '03 for me.

Glad to hear you're enjoying it!