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SCA Culture Question
Sir Edward:
--- Quote from: B. Patricius on 2013-05-24, 20:41:49 ---I'm just wondering about the SCA and its "hits" as a whole. I used to run a WMA club for a short bit, and we prided ourselves on the ability to move exceptionally quick, and stop before even coming in contact with the other person. We spent 45 minutes a day practicing that drill to "attain control." Then, in my time in the SCA, most everyone agreed I was fast, but "not aggressive enough, and not hard enough." I'm just kind of wondering where this came from?
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That would bother me too. The thing is, in a real fight with sharp weapons, it doesn't take a lot of force at all to kill or horribly maim someone. Hits that are considered "light" in the SCA would often be deadly in a real fight. But if you make the argument "yes but they're wearing armor!", then you run into the issue that historically, armor was VERY good at stopping swords. If the rattan hits don't kill you, a real sword wouldn't either. Real-world armored combat was more about attacking the gaps in the armor, using the armor against the opponent, and so on. So the manuscripts contain a lot of throws, wrestling, stabs to the joints, eyes, and groin, arm-breaks, and so on. All the sorts of things you can't do safely in a fun environment.
So SCA combat strikes me as unarmored combat, but with armor to be safe. And if you're emulating unarmored combat, then they should be counting a lot more of the light hits too.
Lord Dane:
I'm going to suit up in "Ford" armor, call myself "Cadillac" and kick Nissan in his "Dodge" when he is not looking. :)
Ian:
--- Quote from: Sir Edward on 2013-05-24, 21:58:00 ---So SCA combat strikes me as unarmored combat, but with armor to be safe. And if you're emulating unarmored combat, then they should be counting a lot more of the light hits too.
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This is an excellent point and one of the paradoxes that soured me on the SCA heavy game.
B. Patricius:
I'm starting to wonder if it's SCA culture, versus the culture and ideals that permeate through WMA. We train hard, just as hard as SCAdians, but we do it differently. I'm not a fan of super deep bruises or watching someone in a melee get flown 5 feet, like I saw at an Estrella war. The guy got nailed hard by a two man team of spear and sword and shield.
--- Quote from: Lord Dane on 2013-05-24, 22:01:22 ---I'm going to suit up in "Ford" armor, call myself "Cadillac" and kick Nissan in his "Dodge" when he is not looking. :)
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ROLFMAO
I LOVE Nissan's kit, there's alot of cool samurai armour out there. I'm actually working on an osode-tsuki do-maru of the 13th century. I'm hoping it'll look at least a bit like this:
and needless to say, with all that lace and individual scales, it's taking me a while. :o But to me, that's probably more than half the fun!
The local SCAdians here love the idea that I'm making that armour and doing it for the "right" reasons, whatever that means. They just wish I'd go out and practice with them now, with next to nothing, just some loner gear. I have a bad knee and need that armour to protect it, and my other injuries. I'm already pretty injured (I'm on disability), and I don't need more :) hurt is one thing, injured is another.
I'm just glad I found another group in the area that actually told me I hit too hard!! I couldn't believe it! I'm so excited I can wear pretty much all period armor for the early 13th century, and fight in it, and be plenty protected! Not only that, but they applaud that I wear braies, hose, and the rest!
The guy I'm working with, knows the pain method, but doesn't like to teach with it at all. And anyone, anyone who thinks he's a wimp, I'd love to see them fight him. He's been training in WMA, Kenjutsu, and Kendo for the better part of 40 years and trains... TRAINS the Battle of Nations Team USA! He knows how to hit plenty hard, but enjoys going light. I just wish I knew where the SCA came up with the attitude of "if it ain't a deep bruise needing a sign, it ain't worth it" attitude.
I know plenty of SCAdians that are very respectable and well liked and hit hard when required against an opponent but don't with me because he knows I'll take a light shot. It's just a game, and taking light hits makes one better at blocking them! He's also a knight and titled Baron too, so well respected within the community.
--- Quote from: Ian on 2013-05-24, 22:19:53 ---
--- Quote from: Sir Edward on 2013-05-24, 21:58:00 ---So SCA combat strikes me as unarmored combat, but with armor to be safe. And if you're emulating unarmored combat, then they should be counting a lot more of the light hits too.
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This is an excellent point and one of the paradoxes that soured me on the SCA heavy game.
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It soured me too. Honestly I don't care about fighting all that much now I've found another outlet, and thanks to Sir Brian here giving me the idea in the first place! I enjoy the arts and sciences as much as I do rapier, broadsword, and armor. And now with this community, I get to discuss all these things with a very respectful group where all our opinions are heard. I was branded "weird" from the get-go in the SCA because I cared about hose and braies, which lets face it, minus a kilt, are some of the most comfortable things you can wear period! I was labeled a stitch nazi, even though I've never, never criticized another's kit, I just hold myself to a standard I see among everyone here, and always look at particularly Sir Nathan's Teutonic, and Sir Ian's secular kits as a bar I wish to hold myself to.
It just kinda hit me a couple months ago, "if it ain't fun, why ya doin it?" and I left the SCA pretty much for good. Which is a shame. As much as they try to be "all inclusive" people at least in my area do a fine job of pushing some of us, like my lady and I who pride ourselves in being authentic as possible, away.
Sir Edward:
--- Quote from: B. Patricius on 2013-05-24, 22:32:25 ---It just kinda hit me a couple months ago, "if it ain't fun, why ya doin it?" and I left the SCA pretty much for good. Which is a shame. As much as they try to be "all inclusive" people at least in my area do a fine job of pushing some of us, like my lady and I who pride ourselves in being authentic as possible, away.
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That really is a shame. If I'm understanding correctly, they pushed you away for being too interested in authenticity? That's a big shame, if you weren't pushy to everyone else. I can understand in the case of a true "period nazi", but just setting a high standard for yourself is a different matter entirely.
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