HOW TO START FIGHTING IN THE S.C.A.
THE FIRST THING TO DO IS FIND YOUR LOCAL GROUP. IF YOU DON'T HAVE ONE, OR ARE UNHAPPY WITH YOUR LOCAL GROUP, THEN IT'S TIME TO START YOUR OWN.
MOST FIGHTERS ARE WILLING TO HELP GET YOU STARTED. IF YOU FIND SOMEONE WILLING, THAT YOU CAN STAND LISTENING TO, THEN GO WITH THEM. If not, then try and use these tips to get started. It's best to have one or two (but no more) people to train you. If you get more, then you'll end up with contradictions in styles - and that's not good for anyone.
My disclaimer:
These tips and opinions are mine - not anyone else's. Just because I put it in writing doesn’t make it true. I suggest you double check any info you plan to use to make sure it complies with written laws within your local SCA group or the SCA in general.
TIPS FROM LORD ROBIN OFTHE WHIP:
Use Plastic!! For training any way. It's cheap, and durable, and best of all, easy to work. No, It's not historic, but you'll be glad you did it. You'll upgrade later any way. Most of my students discover after a few weeks that they don't need certain pieces and that they need other pieces. Your bruises tend to let you know where. Don't try and start with chain mail. Like most new fighters, I wanted chain mail armor until my friend set me straight. He placed a piece on my shoulder with double padding - hit me (a light hit) and left a bruise twice the size of my shoulder. Switch to it later when you have time to figure out how.
Steel Knees and Elbows!!! I highly recommend 16 ga. Steel for knee & elbow cops. The rest can be whatever, but you really don’t want plastic or leather. They don't offer the same protection. In some places, steel is required, others it isn't. I just pretend that it is everywhere.
General basic rules are don't hit the hands (one inch above the wrist & below) and don't hit the knees/shins/feet (One inch above the knee & below). No Armor is required below the knee except closed toed shoes. (no sandals or bare feet). Cup shots are legal in most areas, but I wouldn't try them. That's a good way to get beat up.
It has nothing to do with your style of fighting. Don't let anyone try to convince you otherwise! Unless of course your style is unsafe (ie. Running backwards at your opponent while you swing your sword behind your back). I once failed an authorization based on style alone - The marshal said I was perfectly safe, but he wanted me to get a better style before he would authorize me. The other marshal and fighter disagreed with him, but it takes two marshals to pass you. The following week, I went to another marshal with the same style, and passed. It would probably have been different if marshal #1 had anything to do with my training, but he was never around to answer my questions (bitter! You bet). So be sure and find a marshal you can trust to follow the written laws - not their interpretations. Now, I take my students to a marshal a few hours away. The local one here is a good marshal - but the other one is better (in my opion. And that's all that matters)
THAT'S MY UPDATE SO FAR. MORE TO COME…..
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