Helmet Sca

Posted in November 17, 2007 ¬ 5:41 pmh.adminComments Off

Helmet Sca

SCA heavy combat

Weaponry

Fighters practising at Pennsic XXXVIII (2009)

Participants may choose a wide range of weapons, the striking surfaces of which are made of rattan, and may use leather, foam, and duct tape in their construction. Non-striking surfaces (such as quillons and basket hilts) may be made of other material. Some commonly used weapons are swords, maces, spears, greatswords, glaives, poleaxes, mauls and axes.

Different weapon choices require different skills and strategies. Most SCA fighters use a one-handed weapon in combination with a shield of some kind. With centuries of historical examples to draw upon, shields may range from large rectangular Roman-style scuta to small bucklers, with common styles including the kite, center-grip (round or oval), and heater. A minority of fighters fight “florentine” (a case of swords) or with a two handed weapon.[citation needed]

Armor

All armor standards are codified, with slight variations between the different regional groups within the SCA. All vital points are covered by some hard rigid protection. Helmets must be made of steel. Safety standards are high and generally well enforced, with few serious injuries in comparison to other sports. There have been no deaths in SCA armored combat. Steel is generally used for armor (though plastic, leather and even carpet may be used). There are a number of armorers that supply the SCA and other living history groups, but many make their own armor. Armor is generally encouraged to look like its historical counterpart.[citation needed]

Rules

Fighters practising at Gulf Wars XIII (2004)

Heavy combat within the SCA uses a body part target location system. If a limb is hit with what the recipient determines to be a blow with significant force, it cannot be used thereafter. If the torso or head are hit with significant force, the combatant is deemed dead. If a leg is hit with significant force to disable it, the combatant must fight on his or her knee thereafter. Different weapons can have different effects, simulating the effect of the period weapon (e.g. a mace hit upon the shoulder has a more severe effect than a sword, to simulate the effect of the mace as a mass weapon).

Several of the rules make it clearly abstracted from real historical combat. For instance, one must not strike an opponent from behind, tripping and wrestling are not allowed, and one must not strike from one inch before the wrist to the end of the hand nor from one inch above the knee to the end of the leg. The winning shot of the bout is acknowledged by the defeated participant, who will generally call the shot good (or die a dramatic death for good showmanship).

For the purposes of calling blows, all combatants are considered to be armored in a mail hauberk, wearing an open-faced helmet with a nasal (nose protection) even if they are, in reality, wearing more or less armor than that listed. For that reason, a draw cut or glancing blow would have no effect, while a solid blow is considered to have defeated or penetrated the armor. Good strikes to the torso and head are treated as a ‘killing blow’.

There are slight variations between regional SCA branches (known as Kingdoms) concerning combat rules.

Competitions

Moments before the start of the Main Field Battle of the Pennsic War (2006)

SCA tournaments are held regularly in which two combatants fight, using a number of advancement systems so that a single winning fighter is decided. Melee tournaments can include a number of combatants taking to the field. Other combats may include wars, any number of participants can take the field at once, and this may include archers, artillery, strategic goals and fortifications.

Training

Most local SCA groups hold “fighter practices” where individual and group combat is practiced and informal instruction occurs, but in some regions there may be more formalized and structured training in a local style. Typically several years of direct experience in heavy combat are needed to excel in tournaments. Experienced fighters often train less-experienced fighters in a Knight / squire relationship.

Fighting styles

There is no general formal style within heavy combat, and individuals may fight whatever style and type of weapon that are permissible within the rules. Styles and strategies are often passed on within local groups based on either the individual style of a local trainer, who is normally an experienced fighter known as a “Knight” or a “Peer”, the style of the local group as a whole, or the style of a particular household. Some fighting groups produce written manuals that codify styles and training techniques, while others rely on direct interpersonal transfer of knowledge. Some SCA Heavy combatants publish their training manuals on the internet, while others publish and sell theirs.

Helmet Sca

SCA heavy combat

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