Rapier:Conventions - Acknowledgement of blows - Calibration
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Calibration
- Calibration means "how hard do we hit each other?"
- You must deliver all blows in rapier combat with control, with the aim of delivering the lightest blow that your opponent judges to have penetrated thin clothing (a "valid blow").
- While you are encouraged to recreate the technique and style of period fencing, you must not recreate the force required for an actual wounding or killing blow. SCA rapier combat does not aim to recreate the force intended to deliver harm. Such force is beyond that which our protective standards are intended.
- Blows intended to deliver force more than is necessary for acknowledgement are not allowed. Continued infractions of this rule will lead to disciplinary actions by the marshallate.
- Rapier combat is an active sport and the difference between a blow that is hard enough and too hard might be less than an inch between two rapidly moving fighters, and hard hits will occasionally happen through no fault of the combatants.
- Fighters and marshals are required to resolve such incidents on a case-by-case basis and recommend corrective actions as necessary. No pre-judgment or rule shall be made which defines who was at fault.