Battle Of The Nations. Singles Video's.

[Sir Brian]

Thanks for sharing that Ivan.  I had not read it on AA.  There's no way I would participate in BOTN this day and age.  I've been injured enough by rattan sticks over the last 12+ years to know my limits.

Now, if this had been around when I was young, single and stupid(er)...   

Hear hear! I commend those folks that have the gonads to participate in this type of 'extreme' sport, but I personally have no desire to engage in such a high risk activity I deem to be for less benefit than bragging rights. 

[Sir Edward]

I think it's great that it exists for those who want to take it to that level. But for me personally, there are several problems that stem from my line of work. I sit behind a computer all the time which means, A) I need my hands to function, and B) I can't afford the recovery time, and C) I don't have the level of athleticism needed.

I congratulate the participants for their accomplishment, but I certainly can't participate.

[Sir James A]

I think it's great that it exists for those who want to take it to that level. But for me personally, there are several problems that stem from my line of work. I sit behind a computer all the time which means, A) I need my hands to function, and B) I can't afford the recovery time, and C) I don't have the level of athleticism needed.

I congratulate the participants for their accomplishment, but I certainly can't participate.

^ Yep, that.

And to the AA post - wow, indeed. Hanging fingers? Field of blood? No thank you. That's trying to relive battles a little *too* much for my tastes. I've had a few concussions before, had stitches a couple times, had a few hospital trips - luckily, no broken bones - but I'd prefer to not add any more of those events to my "list".

That was a very reality-is-this post. The BOTN videos I saw never showed puddles of blood, hanging fingers, or concussions. No thanks.

Although, that huge russian dude - I'm not sure if that video is funny or scary. The very last couple seconds, you can hear him club somebody in full plate, and see them fold to the ground. Eek.

[Joshua Santana]

And to the AA post - wow, indeed. Hanging fingers? Field of blood? No thank you. That's trying to relive battles a little *too* much for my tastes. I've had a few concussions before, had stitches a couple times, had a few hospital trips - luckily, no broken bones - but I'd prefer to not add any more of those events to my "list".

That was a very reality-is-this post. The BOTN videos I saw never showed puddles of blood, hanging fingers, or concussions. No thanks.

Although, that huge russian dude - I'm not sure if that video is funny or scary. The very last couple seconds, you can hear him club somebody in full plate, and see them fold to the ground. Eek.

In my own case, because of my height, I would be butchered on the lists.  I wouldn't mind doing something like this but less blood would be better.  So I don't have to be all bloodied and tired and on a winning streak and have the family yell at me, no thank you. 

I think it's great that it exists for those who want to take it to that level. But for me personally, there are several problems that stem from my line of work. I sit behind a computer all the time which means, A) I need my hands to function, and B) I can't afford the recovery time, and C) I don't have the level of athleticism needed.

I congratulate the participants for their accomplishment, but I certainly can't participate.

Same here, I have my own priorities to worry about and if I come back to my job with stitches and (heaven forbid) black eyes, my co-workers would be asking too many questions and "none of your business" or any other made up excuse won't cut it. 

[Thorsteinn]

I just keep remembering this:

This was invented by Russians, Ukrainians, and Poles.
They consider Sambo to be a sport.

The Russians even have a phrase that goes "Russians have Broad Backs!".

[Joshua Santana]

The Russians even have a phrase that goes "Russians have Broad Backs!".

That is an interesting quote. 

[Sir Edward]

As practitioners of any historically inspired martial art, the level of safety and risk you're willing to endure must never be overlooked. Arm yourself with knowledge before participating in anything.

Lloyd Clark posted on myArmoury recently about concussions, and he goes into detail about how repeated head injuries can accumulate and cause all sorts of secondary problems. It's an interesting read:

http://www.myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=25898

[SirNathanQ]

I'm rather on the fence about it. I love the idea, but it is very rough. I mean, to put some perspective to all the ambulances, in high school sports, (football and soccer) I see a player get taken out in an ambulance about every game.
I really would love to try this out.

However, I'm no fool, and I realize it has a lot of risk, and I'd probably get chewed up bad, for lack of skill.                 

Maybe a lower-intensity version? I'd love to see what DOK comes up with.

BTW, speaking of Sambo, there's a huge difference between striking someone with full force on the head or body with your fist and a polearm. No amount of elan, or broad backs will let you shrug off vigourousy wielded weapondry. Especially those polearms.

[Thorsteinn]

BTW, speaking of Sambo, there's a huge difference between striking someone with full force on the head or body with your fist and a polearm. No amount of elan, or broad backs will let you shrug off vigourousy wielded weapondry. Especially those polearms.

Yes but Sambo is very.. Russian (take a punch & a kick to the head in exchange for getting a good position is common in Sambo IIRC), and so is BOTN/HMB. It feels like what a Russian would come up with if they looked to create an armoured sport.

I mean look what Spetznaz has to go through in training.

[SirNathanQ]

Ah, ok. I see what you're getting at. I thought you were saying that they're ok with taking hits because of sambo, and thus are cool with it if you light them up with a pollaxe from behind.

I can see your point better now.

[Sir William]

Thanks for sharing that Ivan.  I had not read it on AA.  There's no way I would participate in BOTN this day and age.  I've been injured enough by rattan sticks over the last 12+ years to know my limits.

Now, if this had been around when I was young, single and stupid(er)...   

Hear hear! I commend those folks that have the gonads to participate in this type of 'extreme' sport, but I personally have no desire to engage in such a high risk activity I deem to be for less benefit than bragging rights. 

Well, I'm still able enough to want to brag so if I can get geared up and funds for the trip, I'm going to try out for it.  Lot of work to do...and I am only going to be able to do it just the once as I understand it is quite an expensive undertaking.  Maybe not...as I do want to attend Agincourt 2015 to celebrate the 600th anniversary!

[Thorsteinn]

If anyone wants to go then they should go. 
 I am not one of the ones that wants to go especially w/o health insurance. 

However I would love to do the Laurin Tournament in the Knights category.

[Joshua Santana]

As practitioners of any historically inspired martial art, the level of safety and risk you're willing to endure must never be overlooked. Arm yourself with knowledge before participating in anything.

Lloyd Clark posted on myArmoury recently about concussions, and he goes into detail about how repeated head injuries can accumulate and cause all sorts of secondary problems. It's an interesting read:

http://www.myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=25898

I have read it and I agree with most what they posted.  I cannot stress enough the importance of practicing these arts with safety and if you're going all out, you got to be prepared, physically and mentally.  To me, accidents happen when someone isn't prepared or made a mistake.

[Sir James A]

I mean, to put some perspective to all the ambulances, in high school sports, (football and soccer) I see a player get taken out in an ambulance about every game.

I'd wager it's more of an insurance / cover the school's hind-end sort of thing. If somebody at BOTN gets a finger nearly cut off and isn't in an ambulance, that's pretty hardcore. And concussions / blackouts that don't require a hospital trip. BOTN and school sports both have ambulances, but the severity of the people's conditions going into them is probably different most of the time. I can't picture many people breaking an arm / leg at a school sport (or professional sports even) and saying "Nah, that's okay, I don't need to go to the hospital, just set it here".

[Sir Edward]

The image in my head now:

"It's just a sucking chest wound. I'm good."