Atlantia--Armored Combat:Authorization process

Authorization process

General

1. Authorization ensures that all fighters can conduct themselves safely and courteously in combat.
2. The authorization process helps ensure that all fighters taking the field are conducting themselves according to a common standard.
3. This process also establishes the minimal level of proficiency necessary to ensure that they do not present a threat to themselves or anyone else on the field.
4. Visitors to Atlantia may participate in Atlantian events if they review the Atlantian rules with an Atlantian marshal before they compete.
5. Fighters with valid authorization from another kingdom who move into Atlantia may trade in for an Atlantian authorization card. See the Minister of Lists policies for the procedure.

Authorization procedures

Requirements

These authorization procedures require:

1. A candidate who has trained enough to be ready to authorize
2. A marshal who is warranted to conduct authorizations for armored combat (rattan) in the kingdom
3. An experienced authorized participant(s) to be the opponent(s) for the practical test.
4. A warranted marshal, authorized marshal, or an authorized participant, in that weapon form/activity/discipline to act as a witness and provide a second opinion (2 person integrity rule). They could also be the opponent for the practical test.
5. Be at least 16 years old. Combatants less than 18 years of age have additional authorization requirements described in the minor authorization procedures.
6. Thorough familiarity with all weapon and armor standards, conventions of combat, and other rules concerning combat-related activities in Atlantia.
7. All armored combat authorizations will be held at an SCA event or a pre-approved practice.
   1. Marshals wishing to conduct authorizations at an practice must obtain prior permission to do so from the Deputy Earl Marshal for Armored Combat or the Kingdom Earl Marshal, and coordinate Minister of Lists support to ensure all reporting standards, both for marshals-in-charge and for Ministers of Lists, are adhered to.
8. Authorizations can be held at any time during an event or practice, subject to the above limitations. When combatants are authorized during an event, they may participate in subsequent activities as their new authorization allows.
9. At least one of the marshals must live in a different local branch from the candidate. If the candidate lives in a barony, at least one of the marshals must live outside that barony.
10. At least one marshal must be authorized in the applicable weapons form.

Documentation

The candidate must show the authorizing marshal any required documentation, such as waivers, and fill out any relevant forms.

Theory test

This can be a written or verbal test. The marshal will quiz the candidate on:

1. The Rules of the Lists
2. Expected behavior and responsibilities
3. The conventions of combat for the activity or weapon form they are authorizing for:
   1. What to do during holds
   2. Rules of engagement
   3. Use of weapons and shields
   4. Target areas
   5. Acknowledgement of blows
4. Equipment requirements (such as weapon and armor standards) for the activity or weapon form they are authorizing for.
5. Their kingdom's specific conventions and equipment standards.

Armor and weapons check

1. The candidate will put on their armor and present themselves and any weapons and equipment needed for this authorization to the marshal for inspection.
2. The marshal will inspect the armor to ensure that it meets kingdom requirements and covers everything required.
3. The marshal will inspect the weapons and equipment to ensure they meet kingdom requirements.
4. If the armor, weapon, or equipment fails the inspection, it will need to be fixed before continuing.

Practical test

Sparring

1. For the first few minutes, the candidate and their opponent will establish calibration of blows, and either fight at 1/2 to 3/4 speed and verbally acknowledge all blows landed, or alternate between defensive only and offensive only.
2. The marshal and the witnessing authorized fighter are looking at:
   1. Basic technique - can they throw and receive blows without the risk of injuring themselves or their opponent?
      1. Note - they don't need to be good, just safe.
   2. Ability to call blows when hit - including 'light', 'good', and 'too stout' blows
   3. Ability to defend themselves safely
   4. Ability to follow the marshal's instructions.
3. If this portion of the authorization is not satisfactorily completed, the authorization procedure will be stopped.
   1. The candidate will be told of the problems observed and given instructions on how to correct the problems.

Formal combat

1. If the first portion of the bout has progressed satisfactorily, the candidate will then fight an opponent in one or more tournament-type bouts, acknowledging the effects of blows appropriately until one of them is defeated.
2. The marshal and the witnessing authorized fighter are looking at:
   1. The same things they were looking for during the sparring portion
   2. Whether they can apply the conventions of combat
   3. How they react to full speed blows
   4. Whether they react appropriately under pressure
   5. Whether they can maintain control and their temper.
3. The marshal and the witnessing authorized fighter will discuss the candidate's performance. They can ask for further bouts or demonstration of technique.

Passing the test

1. If the authorizing marshal and witnessing fighter/marshal agree that the candidate has met the requirements, the marshal will notify the candidate that they are now authorized.
   1. The newly-authorized participant and marshal will properly complete any documentation required by the kingdom. This must be registered and tracked by the kingdom. This could be an online system, or paper forms sent to the kingdom official responsible for tracking authorizations and/or issuing proof of authorization.
   2. Proof of authorization should be given to or made available to the newly-authorized participant. This could be a physical card, or a digital database record.
   3. The fighter may be issued a temporary card or keep a copy of the authorization form and waiver if they intend to fight prior to receiving the proof of authorization.
   4. The fighter should receive proof of authorization within one month. If not, they should contact the kingdom official.
2. If the marshal decides not to authorize a participant, they will explain why, and what they need to work on to succeed next time.

Authorization of minors

Anyone 16 or 17 years old must follow the following procedure to become an authorized fighter in Atlantia outside of Youth Combat.

1. The candidate must either have a minor waiver on file at SCA Corporate Headquarters (blue membership card) or complete an SCA ‘Minor’s Consent to Participate and Hold Harmless Agreement (General Waiver for Minors).
2. For a minor to fight or even practice, a parent or legal guardian must be present, or someone holding a notarized Medical Authorization for Minors granting them authority to approve medical treatment must be present.
3. During early training, those who are running the practice must make a careful determination as to the minor’s physical and emotional maturity. The variations among minors are considerable. At this age, many are unready, either physically or emotionally, for SCA combat. The marshals must be conservative in this respect. If there is any question, remember that the minors who are emotionally ready will not react inappropriately to being told to wait a year. In the case of any uncertainty, the marshals must take the most conservative course and not conduct the authorization.
4. The local marshal will arrange for at least one of the parents or legal guardians to observe the fighting practice. Every attempt should be made to ensure that the parent or legal guardian leaves familiar with SCA fighting.
5. The minor must attend at least one fighting event before the event at which the minor attempts to authorize.
6. The parents or legal guardians must attend an event before authorization.
7. A standard authorization will be conducted with at least one officiating marshal, the Kingdom Earl Marshal, the Kingdom Earl Marshal's Emergency Deputy, or appropriate Deputy Earl Marshal.
8. All of the paperwork involved in the minor’s authorization must be reviewed by the Kingdom Earl Marshal or designated deputy before being processed by the Minister of Lists.
9. The front half of the helms and masks of minors who participate in combat activities, either as armored, rapier, or equestrian combatants, combat archers, or siege engineers, must be marked with three green dots, no less than 1 inch in diameter, arranged in a triangular formation forming a trefoil.

Re-authorization procedure

1. Regardless of how recently the fighter's authorization has lapsed, the authorizing marshal must test the fighter on their knowledge of the rules, particularly any rules that have changed within the last 4 years.
2. If the authorizing marshal has not seen the candidate fight recently enough to confirm that they still meet the required competencies, observe them during combat and confirm that they are still competent, or run through the practical test.
3. If a fighter has been sanctioned (e.g. had their authorization removed or suspended), the authorizing marshal must confirm that the issues relating to the sanction have been addressed.