Equestrian:Activity - Mounted combat - Conventions - Acknowledgement of blows

Acknowledgement of blows

Effective blows (also known as calibration)

1. An effective blow (also known as "a good blow") is defined as a blow or strike which was delivered with effective technique for the particular type of weapon used, with proper orientation of the striking surface (e.g. the marked edge of a bladed weapon), and with sufficient force.
2. Sufficient force is an intentional strike with low to moderate force. Harder than a touch, but less than ground based armored combat.
3. Blows intended to deliver force more than is necessary for acknowledgement are not allowed.

Effects of blows

1. An effective blow to your head, neck or torso is considered a killing blow.
2. An effective blow to your arm disables the arm.

Judging blows

1. When you are struck with a weapon, responsibility for acknowledging a blow as "good" is with the person receiving the blow, not the person delivering the blow.
   1. If you are uncertain, you may ask for information from your opponent or the marshal, but the decision to accept the blow is yours.
   2. If you believe that a strike was not valid (e.g. flat of the blade, not on a legal target), you should immediately inform your opponent.
2. If you are hit with an effective blow, you must indicate it clearly with words and/or motions. Examples: saying "Good arm!" and putting your arm down by your side or behind your back to show it is disabled, or saying "Dead!" and raising your weapon over your head sideways to indicate death or defeat.
3. For counted blow tournaments, upon receiving an effective blow, call out the number. Once the maximum count has been reached, indicate you are defeated clearly with words and raising your weapon over your head sideways.