Just a few notes regarding recent discussions – none of these were really “big” enough for their own page so I thought I’d just lump them all together)
(these are my views and for my students – if you are not one of my students, and read this, then make your decisions what I say certainly isn’t for everyone…)
Thrusting tips on single handed swords,
There is nothing wrong with a thrusting tip on a sword, there is no stigma against it. There are times when it should be used, and times when it shouldn’t.
A thrusting tip is a tool, a part of the sword not the end all be all.
IF you have a thrusting tip on your sword, and you never use it, either learn to use it or take it off. It will cost you good shots if you leave it on and don’t use it, and its not a threat its a hinderance.
IF you have a thrusting tip on your sword, Mainly thrust and rarely swing, – I’d suggest taking it off and learning to fight without it and then add it back later after you’ve become proficient without it. They can become a crutch easily.
IF you decide to fight with a thrusting tip on your single handed sword, don’t be upset if some of your tip shots don’t get called – its going to change the way some of your shots feel and it will take you some time to adjust where and how some of your shots are thrown and where you target them.
Groin shots –
I’ve heard some disturbing stories recently about people calling groin shots as “leg” not “Kill”.
As per the SOCIETY Marshals hand book
Section III.
C. Target Area’s
1. Torso: All of the body above the points of the hips, excluding the head and arms and including the GROIN, shoulder blades, and the area between the neck and shoulders.
.
.
Section V. Acknowledgment of blows
C.
1. An effective blow to the head, neck or TORSO shall be judged fatal or completely disabling, rendering the fighter incapable of further combat.
Thus givent the fact that the torso is a “disabling/fatal” target zone, and the Torso target zone specifically includes the groin – shots to the groin are by rule – a killing blow.
Excessive shots
A shot falls into 3 possible categories, light, good, excessive.
Light – the shot did not strike with enough force to be good, but I’m letting you know because I don’t want you to think I’m just ignoring your shot. – this could be light for several reasons, skipped off, just scrapped you, their sword is pulped…whatever all you’re telling your opponent is it wasn’t a “good” shot.
Good – the shot fell into the acceptable range of a “telling blow”
Excessive – The shot was well above the local calibration standards and you should tone it back a bit. -but (and this is important) the shot WAS GOOD, regardless of the fact that it may have been excessive. If this shot causes damage or injury then you should investigate further. if not a simple toning back of throwing calibration should fix the problem, its just courtious, and courtesy costs you nothing.
Who determines if a shot was excessive….just like with most everything in our game, the receiver of a shot determins whether or not it was excessive. If they say it was excessive, and you KNOW it shouldn’t have been (not that it wasn’t but shouldn’t have been) then you should stop and try and figure out why.
If it is during a tournament, tone it back a bit and then discuss what was wrong or may have caused it after the fight. and off the field.
ok done now you may go about your business…
