Gorean Sparring:
Tal, and welcome. I extend My thanks to you for taking the time to reviewing this new set of standards and set of rules. I know and understand that at this day and age in Gor, there are many different types of sparring styles, rules, and standards. Each person with their own ideals, each person with their own room, trying to be the person to come up with a set of rules that 'Every One Enjoys.' Such is not my attempt in doing such. My primary objective is to review all of the types of sparring in the World of Gor, and pick and choose the Good parts of each System and combine them into one workable set of rules....
Gorean's engage in battles all of the time. Over a very broad topic of situations and events. Some fight for money, Some fight to entertain the crowds, Some fight avenged fallen friends, some fight to raid, pillage and plunder, some fight for Honor, and gravely, some fight for Death. With so many types of sparring there shall come various types of Judging, Styles, Rules, Regulations, and standards. Which one is right? Which one is the most realistic? Which One is foolish? Which one is the most fun? Who knows. But no matter which set of standards, of rules, there are good points, as well as the bad points. And in such, I shall begin trying to add together the good points and bring them into one solid set of rules..
Types Of Spars:
Spars For Sport: Such are spars that come about when two men decide to train with their skills and decide to begin hacking away at each other for the sport of it, and to have a good time. Such spars do not always require judging, because it is not their intent to decide who is better, their intent is to spar for the sake, and joy of sparring...If they are to be Judged, it requires 1 or more Judges. No fighters can die in a Spar For Sport.
Honor Spar: Such are spars where a serious matter needs to be addressed, and this matter has now gone beyond words and mutual understanding. Reasons for Honor spars can include, possession of a Slave. Solve disagreements. To fight over who is right, who is wrong. But generally, Honor Spars are not set with the intent to kill or maim. Spars are for those people who have problems they wish to address, but are willing to put their Honor on the line during the fight. Many believe, that it is a more important and bigger thing, for a Warrior to enter into an Honor spar, then to die in a Death Spar. For Goreans Value their Honor more then anything else, and dying in Battle, would not be something they are afraid of. Honor Spars require either 1 or 3 Judges, depending on the choices of the Fighters, and the skills of the Judge. A Fighter can not die in an Honor Spar. Such spars are intended for matters of Honor, not Death.
Death Spars: Death Spars are to be used as last resorts. Death Spars are of the highest seriousness and should not be taken lightly. They are for times when Honor can no longer settle an argument or feud. Death Spars should not be thrown about as if they are simply something for sport. They are to be taken seriously and respected in the utmost nature. Death Spars require Three - Five Judges. During such spars, in the past, there have come moments of mutual respect between both fighters for various reasons. After the Judgment is rendered, and the winner declared, the Winner will then be permitted a clean stroke of his weapon to end his opponents life, or should he wish, he may give mercy to his opponent in hopes of Honor winning out and problems being solved without the need of a death.
Open Combat: Open Combat is when two men begin attacking and battling their way against each other. Open Combat can be for various reasons. The intent to kill, An Assassin Making His Mark, A Mercenary being paid to attack, etc. Due to the spontaneous nature of these types of spars, it is common that Judges are not agreed upon before hand. The fact that these spars are so spontaneous, and often, are very important in nature, creates quite the dilemma for making a ruling on the winner, the loser, and whomever may have suffered lethal blows. These types of spar may indeed have winners, losers, they may also have one or more people dying. The judging of these types of spars rests upon the Ubar/Jarl/Cheif/Overseer/Etc of the Home in which it happened in. If the Leader of the home, is the one being attacked, or doing the attacking, Another neutral, outside Judge shall be picked so that He may make a ruling. An outside, Neutral Judge shall be selected by the Leader of the Home if He is not capable of Judging due to lack of skills, or if it will be hard to be fair to both fighters.
General Rules:
- Fighters may use a total of five weapons. Shields & Helmets count as weapons. Each quiva in a belt counts as one weapon each. If a fighter does not list out all five weapons in his opening posts, it is valid that the Warrior may draw a 'hidden' weapon, such as Hook Knife, a Dagger, a Quiva, etc., however, the drawing of a Shield, or a Spear, or a Battle Axe he had hidden in his back pocket are not acceptable as hidden weapons. Hidden weapons are weapons such as small knives and daggers that are able to be held under a Fighters Garments that would not be seen.
- Disabling/Maiming/Leathal Blows, are allowed to be attempted during any type of spar. It is of course discouraged for trying to issue these types of blows in Sport Spars & Honor spars, but such is the Brutality of the World of Gor, so points will not be deducted for them.
- Fighters have a 10 minute time limit. In such time their post needs to be made, or it shall be subject to a one point deduction.(Rule can be waived if both Fighters agree.)
- Only Gorean Weapons may be used. If it is not in the books, it can not be used.
- Fighters are allowed to make use of Six Total Actions during each post.
- Examples Of Actions Include:
- Advancing on your opponent.
- Moving away from your opponent.
- Feigning A Blow
- Pivoting/Adjusting of Body position/Ducking/Jumping/Twisting
- Parrying Opponents Weapons.
- Attempting an Attack
- Drawing A Weapon
- Sheathing/Discarding a weapon:
- Blocking An Attack
- Minimizing or deflecting an attack to a different part of the body.
- Combination Moves. If Done correctly, they can be counted as one single action.
- "Circles to My left as I advance at your right side." = 1 action
- "Steps back into a pivot on My right foot." = 1 Action
- "Brings Both Swords down at your chest." = 2 Actions
- "My Right swords tip lowers downward and swings across from right to left to catch your attack
aimed for my stomach and deflect it wide to My left." = 1 action
- Repositioning Weapons:
- "Brings My axe and Sword into original position." = 2 actions
- "Keeps My shield held as is, raising My sword up to a ready hold." = 1 Action
NOTE: Stating the actions of what happens due to your opponents actions, is not to be considered as an action of your own.
Example:
- "Staggers backward from the force of your shield's attack." = No Action
- "The Force of your kick to My knee sends me falling to my knees." = No Action
- "Staggers backward from the force of your shield's push, causing me to avoid contact with your sword." = No Action. However, if You do this enough times during the spar, The Judge has the right to deduct a point for trying to cheat the rules and get free actions.
- A fighter can only have a total of Three(3) attacks in each of his posts. Much like in the Stadium Of Blades Styles. By only allowing 3 Attacks to be used as actions in each post, It forces the fighter to spread out his focus.
- A fighter can only completely block 2 attacks during each post. He may however, use one action if it will be able to allow him to avoid 2 attacks. If an opponent makes 3 attacks, and a Fighter blocks 2 of them, The Fighter does NOT have to take the full third attack, He has the right to minimize or deflect an attack to another part of his body.
(Note For Rule 6 & 7) This is set in place to allow fighters the option of being aggressive and having several attacks. However, not every post will be able to hold 3 attacks in it due to the other actions that need to be used in each post. But for those who enjoy the style of 3 attacks and 2 defense, if they practice enough and study, they will be able to utilize these rules to be much like the S.o.B. Style. Again, not every post needs, nor will be able, to have 3 attacks in it.
- A Fighter cannot refuse to attack in his posts. A point will be deducted for posts with all defenses and no attacks.
- No Forced Action. - Only show your own intent and actions, do not state the actions of your opponent.
- No Back Posting.
A back post is when a Fighter issues an attack during or between his opponents attacks. There should
be a proper flow to a spar, a proper formula so to say. You need to defend your opponents attacks,
acknowledge his position, whether he moved away, stayed in close. You then need to close the gap, if
needed, and then begin issuing your own attacks.
- Sample Formula:
- First Post: Acknowledge Opponents position + Advance + Deal with Weapons (Parry, or state how you void them) + Issue Attacks + Withdraw/Stay Close = Solid Spar Post
- Any post beyond opening: Defend Opponents attacks + Acknowledge Opponents Position + > Advance or reposition yourself(if needed) + Deal with Opponents weapons + Issue Attacks + withdraw/Stay Close = Solid Spar Post
- "My shield comes up to block the blow aimed for my left shoulder. I thrust My sword at your stomach before you slice over my right hip." A Back Post.
- "I bring My shield over to block your thrust....Before you can back away, I kick up at your groin." A Back post.
- "I bring My short sword upward to block your attack for my head....I growl in pain as your kick lands on my shin. WIth you moving back, I advance on you, I thrust my short sword in my right hand forward at your left shoulder, Attempting to thrust over top of your sword." No Back Post.
- Spars are based on realism. A Fighter must be as detailed and as specific as possible. Specifying lefts and rights. Who's left, and Who's right. Which sword does what. What direction he moves himself or his weapons in. Keep things realistic.
- Should a fighter be booted or freeze during a Spar, he has 15 minutes to return. Upon his arrival, a repost will be given and He shall be given 10 minutes from the time of the repose. Should the 15 minutes expire, if the Spar has progressed past the first round, the spar shall be stopped, and will continue during another scheduled round. Or the spar may be restarted should both fighters agree.
- Fighters must acknowledge and portray the wounds they receive. If a warrior receives a cut to his leg, he will be slowed down. If he receives 3 cuts and a stab to the leg, any use of it would be rather unrealistic, etc. Failing to address any hindrances of maneuverability due to wounds, is left to the Judges discretion.
Gorean Judging:
- Cick Here For A Sample Spar With Judging -
Judging can be a very difficult task. Not everyone is made to be a Judge, not everyone is capable of taking on the task of Judging. Each Judge must look at his job of judging and take it with the utmost level of seriousness. Judging is not a game, it's not something to do for laughs. Judging decides who wins, who looses. Who keeps their honor, who loses it. Judges ultimately decide, who lives and who dies. If you are not ready to take on the responsibility of Judging, then you should not enter into such a quest.
For those of you who are ready, willing, and able to take on the task of Judging, I wish you well. Judging is something that takes a lot of skill. Not only needing to be skillful with a Blade, but also skillful with your mind. You will need to dedicate your time and energy to dutifully working through the posts of the spars, finding mistakes, rewarding well done attacks, you will need to be strong minded and not afraid to make a decision when one must be reached. A Judge must be willing to give his decisions and hold no fear of the consequences that may spawn from them. A Judge has the right to be selective and honest in his judgments, but a Judge also has the responsibility of being Fair. Also in the interest of fairness, A Judge reserves the right to modify his score, should he find something he missed that could effect the outcome of the Spar.
A Judge is a position of very large freedoms and power, but as well as a position that comes with grave seriousness and responsibility. A Judge is expected to view the combat and then make his decisions on the deductions, the rewards, and the outcomes. A Judge is expected to do so fairly and from an impartial stance. A Judge is also expected to be able to explain himself. Not that his word is being question, no, but because his words are valued. Valued for learning and knowledge. A Judge should always be able to explain where he took deductions from and where he awarded points. A Judge should be able to help the Fighters understand their mistakes so that they may learn and grow and gain from the experience of the fight as well as grow from it.
- Score Deductions:
- Time Violation - 1 point after 10 minutes. 1 point for every full minute after 12.
- Action Violation - 1 point after 7 actions. 1 point for every action from 8+ actions.
- Realism Violation - 1 Point for every Unrealistic action. Also includes unrealistic maneuverability after a wound.
- Too Many Attacks - 1 Point For Every attack past 3.
- Too Many Defenses - 1 point for every complete block of an attack beyond 2.
- Refusing To Attack - 1 point for every post a Fighter does not issue an attack.
- Forced Action - 1 point for every forced action of a Fighter's opponent.
- Back Post - 1 point for every attack done as a back post.
- Weapon Violation - 1 point for the Use of a Non Gorean Weapon, or use of an unrealistically hidden weapon.
- Clarity - 1 point is deducted for being unclear. In lefts & rights, in sword positions, on defending, attacking, etc.
- Score Rewards:
- Aggression - A point is rewarded each round to the fighter who has the best attacks in his post for that round. The best attacks need not be the most, but can be the best set up attacks, or the best series of attacks to stick to a game plan. Be it, a Warrior working on a specific part of the body to systematically wear down his opponent. Or issuing an attack that was set up so well with parries or feigns, that it was a very good and solid attack. Only one aggression point can be given to one of the opponents for each round
- Solidity - Solidity is to be given to those fighters who have put together a solid post. With acknowledging everything they need to, with being very clear, staying within the action limit, defending perfectly, and having a flawless post. A point may be awarded for any Fighters that have made no mistakes in their posts and the Judge feels it is a very solid post. Having a flawless post does not guarantee a Fighter an added point for Solidity, it is up to the Judges discretion.
Actual Scoring:
Scoring is a very difficult part of modern day Gorean Sparring. However, it is also the most important factor of the spars in Gor. No matter how well fighters do, it is all for nothing if the spar is not scored correctly. Which points to take off for, when to reward points, what is realistic, how clear is clear? How's opinion of clear does it go by? Is that a one point deduction or a two point deduction. Is that a Gorean Weapon? Is there a quote for that? It's a very difficult task to accurate Judge and then score a spar. The following is the basic steps that need to be followed in order to proberly grade a Spar.
- Mark off any points that are to be deducted from each post. Each mistake of the rules is worth a value of one point. Deduct points from the Fighter A, and then the same to Fighter B's post. Determine a score for each Fighter's first post. Each post starts out being worth 10 points.
- Determine if either or both of those posts where solid and flawless. Determine if Fighter A &/or Fighter B made such a well done solid post to be worth being awared a point for Solidity. Add one point to either Fighter A &/or Fighter B's round total should they deserve such from a flawless post.
- Out of the first round of posts, Determine which Fighter, whether it be A or B, had the best series of attack(s) in the first round. Award one aggression point to one of the Fighters for the first round's total.
- Repeat #'s 1, 2, & 3 for every round of the spar. Be it 3 rounds, 4 rounds, 5, rounds, however many the fighters wish to go for.
- At the conclusion of the spar, calculate how many total possible points there was in the spar. Take how ever many rounds there where, and multiply it by 10. If a spar goes 3 rounds, it has a total of 30 points each fighter. If it goes 8 rounds, it has a total of 80 points for each Fighter. Rewarded points, do not figure into the total of possible points.
- Calculate each Fighter's total points. Not simply by deducting the # of mistakes He made in the spar, but calculate the rewarded points as well. If a Fighter makes 4 mistakes during a 5 post spar, and was awarded 3 points from Solidity as well as 2 points for Agressiveness, his total is not 46. His total is 50.
- Once arriving at a number total for each Fighter, the scores will not be listed as Fighter A 48 points, Fighter B 50 points. Because traditionaly, those methods and styles would only reflect on how many mistakes the Fighters made. And would say nothing for the awarded points. Fighter's scores shall be determined by Proficiency Rating, or also known as a PR. how is it a Judge would come about this Proficiency Rating would be by taking the points earned by Fighter A earned, and dividing that number by the total number of points possible. The precentage found, is a Fighters Proficiency Rating. The Fighter with the Highest PR, is the winner of the spar.
Formula:
Points Earned / Points Possible = %
Examples:
48 / 50 = 96 %
35 / 50 = 70 %
53 / 50 = 106%
(Note:) It is possible for a Fighter to have earned more points then possible. Such will be rare, but will come about from a Fighter making good use of his sparring abilities, and was rewarded well for Honing his skills.
- The over all outcome of the Spar will be with the majority of the Number of Judges. If there are Three(3) total Judges, it would take Two(2) Judges ruling in favor of the same Fighter winner. If there is Five(5) total Judges, it would take Three(3) Judges ruling in favor of the same Fighter to declare a winner.
- Should there be a draw in any type of combat, the fighters may opt for the right to have extra rounds to determine a clear winner, or should they desire, they may settle for the Draw.
- May the best Warrior prevail, and may each learn, grow, and expand with each encounter they come across upon the battlefield.