Armored Combat:Accessibility

Accessibility

General

1. The SCA is committed to promoting inclusion and equity in our martial activities. Safe and approved variations to weapons, equipment, and conventions are allowed for enabling participation.

The following examples are only a partial list of approaches to meet this goal. Please reach out to your local branch, kingdom marshals, or their Society counterpart to explore additional options.

1. When attending a practice or event, inform the marshal of extra equipment, equipment that is normally not allowed, or modifications to conventions that enable you to participate.

Authorizations

1. For the theory portion, you can request a verbal test rather than a written test, and vice versa. Some people process information better written or verbal, or they could have a reading/writing/hearing difficulty.

Combat conventions accommodations

Mobility

1. Options for being legged (if you cannot easily go to your knees during combat): stay standing, but the struck leg must be planted and not move
2. Missing arm/leg - could take 2 valid blows to the one arm/leg
3. Fight from the ground, or a seating platform (note: platform must be safe for the type of combat)

Hearing

1. Hand signals or flags (best for tournament)
2. Buddy system could be used for melees

General processes and best practices

1. Locations for practices and events should:
   1. be in safe neighborhoods with safe routes to get there
   2. include well-lit parking areas
   3. have bathrooms large enough to change clothes in, for all genders.
   4. Note: Personal safety is a major concern for many women and underrepresented groups when deciding on attendance.
2. Dedicated warm-up time at tournaments: Having 30-45 minutes of dedicated warm-up time before tournaments, with dedicated marshals and identified practice fighters. This encourages new or shy participants, who might not know many people. It can also be vital for many women to allow time for adrenaline changes.

Training

New fighters

1. Do not assume one weapon form or technique is the best way to start. Different body mechanics greatly influence this. For example, a glaive vs single sword, right foot forward vs left. The flat snap is easy for some, the hardest shot (and causes physical damage) to others.
2. Do not hit new people repeatedly in the head, or with hard blows, "so they know what to expect". If needed, calibration shots should be introduced on the body or arm/leg, when the new fighter is ready.

Methods NOT to use

1. Hitting people hard and/or repeatedly until "they get it" or "learn how to block".