The Armour Archive

Gentles.

I am taking a college class called "the psychology of superstition". It involves (among other things) the rituals that people go through to either handle or channel stress.

Wade Boggs (a famous American Baseball player) believes that he hits better after eating chicken. As a result, he has eaten chicken every single day for the last twenty two years. His pre game ritual take over five hours to complete. He runs windsprints in the outfield at precicely 7:17, he never steps on the foul line coming onto the field, and always steps on it coming off the field.

These things help him to channel stress in a positive manner.

Do you have a ritual that you associate with fighting? Is there something that you do that helps you to get "in the groove"?

thanks
f

A few freestyle floryshes to warm up a bit is all I see a great need for. I do stay in reasonable shape as a rule though.

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Shane Smith
ARMA~Virginia Beach

This may be more obsessive compulsive than superstitious: I have to check the front door 3 times before I head out to a tournie. I check that I have my cup 3 times before getting in the car. I check the door on my car 3 times before walking away from it.

I can't eat before a tournie (several hours). I won't eat during a tournie, only drink.

A coke and some coffee are omens for a good morning.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by freiman the minstrel:


Do you have a ritual that you associate with fighting? Is there something that you do that helps you to get "in the groove"?


f[/B]</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
You bet.
1)Always suit left to right.
2)Chew two pieces of BIG RED gum while fighting.
3)A sort of self inspect before salutes, kind of a physical once over with my sword.
4)This one goes for my wife and me. No one ties my chinstrap but me.
5)I salute my wife with a kiss.
6)Much to my wife's dismay. I have "lucky socks" I wear whenever I fight at events.It doesn't matter if it's a one day event...or the ninth day at Pensic. Curiously enough this one doesn't apply at practice.

Wow, I really am neurotic.

7)The bag gets packed in a cretin order, if the order gets messed up, I dump it out and start over.
I kneel and kiss my Chain before I close my face plate/bar grill.


Cedric

Edit to add sig

[This message has been edited by ceddie (edited 11-22-2003).]

I call upon the old gods to swallow up my opponent in a flaming fissure.

Oh, wait. Sorry.

Those are my real world opponents.

Uh, I just take a deep breath and consciously slow my heart rate.

Jehan

I go off to the side by myself to arm
I won't talk to anyone while arming, if I'm
approached I ask them to come back in a few minintes
When I get to the hauberk level in my harness I stop for a few moments of reflection.
Once the tournament/melee starts I avoid speaking about anything that doesn't relate to the fighting

I prefer to do my warm-up stretching exercises on my own, and I dont like someone talking to me during that time. I fel that if i talk during that time, I will lose.

Also, if someone comes during aq tourney to give me fighting tips agaonst certain opponents, I "zone out" and step into my own little world for the rest of the tourney. I hate those tips, albeit friendly, and I am afraid that I will start to "think" in the eric and stop because of it, instead of my body acting and reacting during the fight.

I chew gum if I want to win. I don't have the right rhythm without it.

I also get hammered the night before a big tourney. I am trying to move away from this one though, as I am tired of drinking so much on a failry regular basis.

I almost forgot- for major tournaments (i.e. Crown) I listen to the Lords of Acid between fights- usually the songs Crablouse and Macho Man. I have done this for both Crowns I have won, and superstitiously will continue in the future I suppose.

Alaric

[This message has been edited by CountAlaric (edited 11-24-2003).]

Ever seen the series with Adrian Monk the defective detective? This rings of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). I know from personal experience, however it does not affect me when it comes to sparring or medieval combat and only seems to bug me during mundane everyday things. If you dont know much about OCD simplified it is (at least for me) where you get a incredibly disurbing mental thought that just screws your head up and in order to deal with it ppl create ritualistic patterns. For me it equals shaking my head or making some weird noises to distract myself from the thought or to retrace my steps/actions and then do them again and again until the disturbing thought does not predominate your mind. I know it sounds weird but I didnt know what it was until about 6 months ago. When fighting this all goes out the window, which is great and I am totally focused on the fight so may not be the same thing as a good luck ritual ppl do in order to gain success. Like wearing a rabit tail or 4 leaf clover or horseshoe talismanic object.

When I was heavily involved in the occult I did once start to create a talisman with sigils and signs associated to the god Mars for prowess in martial arts, does that count?

Wyrm.


<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by freiman the minstrel:
<B>Gentles.

I am taking a college class called "the psychology of superstition". It involves (among other things) the rituals that people go through to either handle or channel stress.

Wade Boggs (a famous American Baseball player) believes that he hits better after eating chicken. As a result, he has eaten chicken every single day for the last twenty two years. His pre game ritual take over five hours to complete. He runs windsprints in the outfield at precicely 7:17, he never steps on the foul line coming onto the field, and always steps on it coming off the field.

These things help him to channel stress in a positive manner.

Do you have a ritual that you associate with fighting? Is there something that you do that helps you to get "in the groove"?

thanks
f</B></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>



------------------
"All I know in life I learned by killing
smart people and eating their brains."

I am bumping this one because I really need the info for the class.

f

No really weird habits.
Checking and polishing my gear helps to get in the mood.
So does packing it all nice and proper.
It is not really a ritual- but builds that positive anticipation for fighting.

Focusing happens largely before the actual fight, but I like to launch my self with a warcry right after the lay on. Helps me start the fight aggressively without waiting what the other guy might decide to do.

Rautaa!

Mikael

I can never sleep before a good day of fighting, i never eat before or during fighting, eat a very heavy meal the night before and a very heavy meal following.

oh yeah this may sound like the weirdest yet, but my armour has to be loaded in the trunk/back of van/truck just right, or i will pull it out and then put it back walk away for ten-twenty minutes, then return and armour up working from the feet up.


[This message has been edited by Tarquin Bjornsson (edited 11-27-2003).]

I start by arming the exact same way every time.... everythiing goes on in the same order...
If I skip something...I have to stop... and re-do everything from that spot on.

I tend to examine the sidelines as I am armouring to see who I am possibly fighting that day to access my mental rolodex to review their strengths and weaknesses.

once I am armoured I go get inspected and then sit and watch the list. I have some protein shakes, energy snacks and water but nothing heavy.

Once I am in the list...I do my salutes, usually to my wife and daughter, and my opponent, then I tap the ground next to me with my sword twice. At that point... my demenor changes completely.... The sword tap is my "switch". It flips to "on" and everything goes away except my opponents weapon.
Some times people actually get unnerved because I am watching the weapon and arm and not their eyes....I've been told its very disconcerting.

In between fights I dont want to be talked to,so I spend my time off the list playing with my daughter, because when I am with her I focus on nothing but her...so she helps me keep my mind clear, and reminds me what is REALLY important in life!

[This message has been edited by sarnac (edited 11-27-2003).]

I get really quite and check the chin strap and padding in my helm about 20 times.I also have a certan tunic I wear if i'm wanting to win.

If I really want to win a bout, i'll stare at the ground just before the fight, and picture myself killing my opponent.

I eat a can of french vanilla frosting about an hour before.
i hit all my parts with my sword to make sure my armor is sitting right just before i take the field first time.
and i'll chew the gum (thrills gum, canadians know what it is, it tastes strong of cloves and people call it soap gum)
right up to the point where the fighting starts, i worry about choking on it so i'll spit it out just before i fight.
-T

This may not fit, because it's less of an OC and more of something I try to make myself do...

I've engineered my fight salute to resemble the Orthodox Christian genuflect (sign of the cross: Father, Son, Holy spirit - only from right shoulder to left shoulder). I do it as an extension of my Byzantine persona, as well as a way to focus me for the fight.

1) Sword basket from my forehead to my navel and roll my chest out. This reminds me to keep good presence and posture against my opponent.

2) Sword basket from right shoulder to left shoulder, rotating the body as if throwing a snap when toe-to-toe. This reminds me to use proper form in the fight.

It is a deliberate and formal salute for my opponent and a last moment prep for me before the fight. Funny though, I often have to practice it in front of the pell to mesh the physical with the emotional symbolism of the act. If I don't it doesn't do anything for me and feels contrived.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by freiman the minstrel:
<B>
Do you have a ritual that you associate with fighting? Is there something that you do that helps you to get "in the groove"?

thanks
f</B></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes. I find out what the surliest-looking guy at the bar is drinking, and I slam six of them - then I look at him and say "How do you drink this shit, you must be a moron". Never fails to put me right in the heat of the contest.

It's not a rutual before each fight, but when I lived in Santa Barbara CA, there was a large Celtic Cross (7'ish) on the cliffs over looking the ocean. Whenever I made a new shield or sword, I would take it to the the cross in the middle of the night, lean the sword/shield against the cross and pray or meditate.

I do not have a Fighting ritual with the SCA, however I am a US Paratrooper and I have several things I do before a jump. The Parachutes are adjustable to size, while we are encouraged to exchange chutes with each other for our proper size, I always resize the chute I draw, and never trade for the right size. The “roach coachâ€

I stay up very late the night before a tournament, checking each piece of harness for any flaw. I get about two, maybe three hours of sleep. I cannot eat or drink anything before I fight, because I fear I will vomit into my visor.

I also listen to the harshest death-metal and speed metal music I can. It takes me from "fighting for fun" to "wanting to win".

When I put my helmet on, I am almost too terrified to speak. I envision my opponent as the most dangerous fighter on earth, a walking engine of destruction. When I feel as if my skin is ready to jump off, and my nerves are completely frayed and jangled, then I know I am ready.

Odd, but effective in tournament and war.

I used to be *very heavily* into all types of rituals like this before events (ever had you weapons blessed by a priest?), but Charney warns against these habits. Trying to avoid them has allowed me to place greater confidence in what is actually at play, as opposed to what *feels* like is actually influencing events and my performance. Relaxation until the *very moment* is critical, then the ability to focus comes into play. I used to not sleep before tournaments, now I don't have any problem at all. I put on my helmet and then I change. one thing I guard against is being TOO PREPARED- for me this is the kiss of death.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Vitus:
I used to be *very heavily* into all types of rituals like this before events (ever had you weapons blessed by a priest?), but Charney warns against these habits. Trying to avoid them has allowed me to place greater confidence in what is actually at play, as opposed to what *feels* like is actually influencing events and my performance. Relaxation until the *very moment* is critical, then the ability to focus comes into play. I used to not sleep before tournaments, now I don't have any problem at all. I put on my helmet and then I change. one thing I guard against is being TOO PREPARED- for me this is the kiss of death.</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
actually yes, ive had my weapons blessed, my armor, my shield and my body... but that was before vigil:-D

I used to get worked up about bouts and beat myself...

now I just relax and focus on nothing....it seems to help me see more.

I stay up REALLY late the nite before geting drunk(you have wittnessed this Freiman!!!)
After I sort out and put on all of my armour, I smoke a cig THROUGH the bargrill and as I take the feild I hit myself on the head repeatedly while visualizing my sword hitting my opponants head instead. Sometimes I let out a roar, depends on how bad my head is clogged from the drinking.

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Surge!!! Demon of the Northern Isles!!!
Cap'n of the pirate ship Evil I
Head of the Conclave of Evil

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Surge:
<B>I stay up REALLY late the nite before geting drunk(you have wittnessed this Freiman!!!)
After I sort out and put on all of my armour, I smoke a cig THROUGH the bargrill and as I take the feild I hit myself on the head repeatedly while visualizing my sword hitting my opponants head instead. Sometimes I let out a roar, depends on how bad my head is clogged from the drinking.
</B></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

SURGE!!!

You're Back! Where are you? You're not in the sandbox right now, are you?

How goes the maile Game? And seriously, do you know anyone who has unusual pre-fight rituals? I do really need this info for a class. It's just one semester hour, but I am actually having a lot of fun with it.

f

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by freiman the minstrel:
<B>Gentles.

I am taking a college class called "the psychology of superstition". It involves (among other things) the rituals that people go through to either handle or channel stress.

f</B></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

There's actually some scientific basis for this. Look at Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) for more details. Short version, a physical routine can help you achieve a desired mental state. NLP goes further by cataloging body motions/postures and their associated emotional connotations. I personally make frequent use of open body postures. I find that assuming these postures helps me remain attentive (even when stupid ideas are being discussed) and helps the other people in the conversation relax and open up (cool things you learn when being taught to interrogate people).

"I call upon the old gods to swallow up my opponent in a flaming fissure."

Wow, does it work?!?

Steve

My knight told me to have a purpose in mind every time I take up my sword. So when I arm up taking up my sword is my last step, and I pause and try to chose a purpose.

Tonight I will fight everyone the same as I fight Lothar.
Tonight I will throw to the offside at least once in each fight.
Tonight I will hit Lubeck so hard his hair straightens out.

Something like that. I don't always do it, but I try to remember to.

Also, since my *gulp* squiring, I do have a long moment of introspection as I unroll that red belt and think "Do I really have to put this on? Yeah, I really have to put it on." Hopefully THAT little ritual will go by the wayside in time.

Vitus is right in that you can't psyche yourself out by your rituals. None the less, I have some that I do and don't do, depending on mood.

GREY SOCKS, period. Recently i've gotten away from this, but I won my first couple of tournies in grey socks so it sorta stuck.

I never fight well on more than four hours of sleep. Usually, I never function well at anything on LESS than 6...

If I am in tourney and have time, just after my helmet goes on, I will recite an 'Our Father' to myself. In money tournies I have a ritual that involves making the sign of the cross at the end of that prayer with my sword.

I can't eat anything but a little bread, and maybe an olive or a pickle. Otherwise, I will go all drymouthed and naustious. I swim in the water I drink tho.

I have a long tradition in the way that I make a new sword. Each and every one is named, so like Roland, I can tell of past deeds done with them. (Tho my swords get names like "The Burninator" or the current #1 "Ol' Bear" in honor of my knight. )

Anton would walk around the event site the night before a crown (assuming it was wet) with a case of beer in his sack. He would offer a beer to each fighter he met. His theory was that if someone was too nervous to enjoy a beer with him, then they weren't a concern in the list.

I always walk the field (learned from Anton) and check out the terrian for holes, bad soils, etc.

I used to metal out on the way to an event, but I found that burned my adrenline stash too early in the day. Instead, I chill out on some P-Funk or Jazz to get my mind going.

Byram

The night before a tournament I have to watch the tournament at Ashby scene from the early 80's version of Ivanhoe.

Like deByrum, I also name parts of my equipment....I've had maces called LegBreaker and Thumper...I had a sword that I can't rcreate that was fast yet hit very heavy that I called Epitaph. My bascinet by Master Cad not only has a name, it has a personality and demands to be kept at a certain status...no duct tape will be used on it, kept in it's own box away from the rest of my armour, polished regularly etc. It almost disowned me when i dropped it in the parking lot....

I also fight very well in the rain.

Oh yeah,
I normally write slogans on my rattan before it gets taped. Things like: "honor, chivalry, humility".

An on the ride over I crank the tunes in the car. Chemical Brothers or Linkin Park gets the mood going.

OK, guys, next few questions.

Don't worry, the paper is due next monday. I essentially need to be finished by thursday, so I can re write.

OK the questions.

How does your ritual help you?

how did you learn your ritual? I already have that for one of you. "I won my first couple of tourneys wearing grey socks..." I am looking for that sort of thing. This one is a part of the core of the paper.

Have you ever been in a situation that prevented you from performing your "ritual"? How did this affect you?

And Vitus, I would love a specific quotation on your Charney reference. It would help a lot.

thank you.

freiman the minstrel

My pre-ritual for almost anything, (SCA fighting, singing, giving speeches, etc..) I learned how to lull myself into a sort of self hypnotic state when the need arises. I don't think it's anything more than really good concentration, but I sit buddah style and close off all connection with the outside world and visualize a small flame. If I do this well I can usually get to the point where I can't hear a thing going on around me. (my friends always like to cuss at me and tell me dirty jokes to try to make me laugh when I'm in what they call "Nirvana") After doing this for a minute or two I come out of it and feel perfectly calm and ready to take on the world. I can usually do most things without getting nervous or agitated when I've meditated. As far as learning goes, I would go into the woods for long periods of time, (twelve hours straight was my record, talk about muscle cramping) and close my eyes and listen to the wind in the trees and the ambient noise, and forget about the world. I remember one time I was late for a concert that I was singing a solo at, (sorry this isn't fight ritual related but related to my ritual nonetheless) and didn't get a chance to meditate. I was super nervous when I performed, mixed up my words, got dry throat, etc.. all in all it was my worst performance ever. Hmm.. I think the best part of my ritual is that I trained myself to react defensively if anybody touches my face. Hehe.. a kid tried to take my hat once when I was meditating and I threw him off a stage and into the stadium seats by the time he had budged the hat. Hehe.. that was fun. But ya, that's my ritual. Don't try this at home unless you've got lots of time on your hands cuz it took me about four years to get where I could do it comfortably.
~Folcric

[This message has been edited by Folcric (edited 12-09-2003).]

freiman the minstrel askes
"How does your ritual help you?

how did you learn your ritual? I already have that for one of you. "I won my first couple of tourneys wearing grey socks..." I am looking for that sort of thing. This one is a part of the core of the paper.

Have you ever been in a situation that prevented you from performing your "ritual"? How did this affect you?"

1)Always suit left to right.

If it doesn't happen. I suit down to my saft and start over.
2)Chew two pieces of BIG RED gum while fighting.

I grit my teeth and get a waybig headache.

3)A sort of self inspect before salutes, kind of a physical once over with my sword.

Just an inspection, no biggie here.

4)This one goes for my wife and me. No one ties my chinstrap but me.

The chinstap slipped and I got a bloody nose, cause and effect, it wont happen again.

5)I salute my wife with a kiss.

I just do this. I'll do this forever.

6)Much to my wife's dismay. I have "lucky socks" I wear whenever I fight at events.It doesn't matter if it's a one day event...or the ninth day at Pensic. Curiously enough this one doesn't apply at practice.
Wow, I really am neurotic.

I move faster if ny socks know to move with me.


7)The bag gets packed in a cretin order, if the order gets messed up, I dump it out and start over.

If I don't, I loose stuff.

I kneel and kiss my Chain before I close my face plate/bar grill.

Again I've never not done this. I don't know what would happen if I didn't


Hope it helps

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Ceddie

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by freiman the minstrel:
<B> SURGE!!!

You're Back! Where are you? You're not in the sandbox right now, are you?

How goes the maile Game? And seriously, do you know anyone who has unusual pre-fight rituals? I do really need this info for a class. It's just one semester hour, but I am actually having a lot of fun with it.

f</B></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I am in fact in the sandbox, so all my fighting rituals here include:
Dispatch "Sheep" and make sure she is road ready, then pack. Get plenty of sleep. Get up carry all my gear to the truck. Make sure brakes on trailer arn't locked up. Put in some really loud and heavy music. Put on Kevlar, make sure plates are sitting right in my Vest and BIG knife is still safely attached. Make sure weapon is clean, hit up with CLP if it needs it. Roll to the gate. Load 1, 30 rd mag in weapon. Chamber a round, make sure safe is on. Drink lots of coke. Try not to die.
I don't really pay attention to what other people do. I just know what I do. I am normally to fuzzy before the armour is on to notice anything else. The hits to the head help a whole lot!!! Out here when I suit up in my new *gasps* plastic(Really this stuff is JUST for Iraq!!!) i normally do the same stuff cept the drinking part!!! Hope that helps. I can ask the guys out here if they have a certain ritual for when they go on missions though!!!

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Surge!!! Demon of the Northern Isles!!!
Cap'n of the pirate ship Evil I
Head of the Conclave of Evil