[Ansteorra-missile] [Am] Poll - Combat Archey availability with Heavy Fighters

[Mike]

I have mentioned it before earlier this week and there has been other 
announcements concerning combat archery in conjunction with Steppes 
regular heavy practice as well as when there Joint Practices with 
Steppes sister Barony Elfsea are held, that is held each Sunday from 2 
PM to 6 PM. Or until people are ready to call it quits and go est. Or 
when the sun sets. Depends on what happens first.

The Location is:
Mary Heads Carter Park
2320 Heads Lane
Carrollton, Texas 75006

The maximum number of archers that have show up - is 3 including myself.

Although I do practice solo at a much smaller target than what is used 
in the target archery - IKCAC. I just find that target to be too big and 
just too flat, prefer to used something that reflects the size of most 
targets that are available when facing a shield wall.

In addition, I do provide a calibration for 1st time fighters and those 
who have been away from a SCA battlefield for some time. I will shoot 
them several times at varying distances, plus go over some of the rules 
for interaction between a heavy fighter and a combat archer. Such as if 
in doubt if that combat arrow had hit a legal target - then look around 
and see if the archer is willing to give feedback.  The minimum distance 
that a combat archer can legally shoot an opponent, etc...

I tell them for me, I will wait and see how and more importantly where 
my arrow has hit the fighter. If the heavy fighter looks and make a 
gesture as if asking a question - then I will response with hand 
gestures indicating where the arrow hit and it I consider it good. If 
the I consider the arrow hitting an valid portion of their body or was 
just a pure invalid hit then I am waving at them with my string hand, 
chest high, and parallel to my chest. I have even gone as far to attract 
the attention of fighters around the fighter in question to get that 
fighter to come back to the line and the fight.

Soapbox time:
I much rather been a bit slower in my rate of fire, which my commander - 
Ld Hosey and I have had numerous discussions over, it is a trade off 
here, than assume that every combat arrow that I fire is an automatic 
"kill". To think this is true, is fantasy and those who think that need 
to get off the field and perhaps go find another group, such as those 
who play with magic missiles and such. I have found that many heavy 
fighters are delighted to find a combat archer with thoughts of being 
chivalry on the field.  To the extend that I have saluted by them when 
they have returned to the field and continue to play in that scenario. 
Of course, if the opportunity present itself I will shoot them again and 
attempt to be sure that the shot is valid. And there is disagreement 
from them or their shield wall buddies.

Afterall, only the front portion of a combat arrow does the killing and 
that any other portion of the arrow.

I am there every Sunday with my equipment, usually I am the only archer 
that will attend this practice on a regularly basics.

How often a melee will happen in the park? That depends upon what the 
heavy fighters are planning to go over that day.

Ld Michael Kettering



Donnchadh Beag mac Griogair wrote:

>Eadric Anstapa wrote:
>  
>
>>For this to work the person wanting to be authorized _*must*_ be 
>>prepared.  They must know all of the rules and when questioned before 
>>any combat must convince the marshal that they know  those rules.  They 
>>must bring their armor and equipment and be comfortable with it's use.  
>>They need to have contacted the marshals in advance to assure that 
>>sufficient time and resources can be dedicated.
>>  
>>    
>>
>Which is where regular practices come into play.  Hopefully someone who 
>wants to get authorized has had a chance to shoot at targets and get 
>used to shooting CA equipment with a helm and gauntlets.  Then move on 
>to working with real fighters.  Then work in small melee groups at 
>combined or regional practices.  That way, by the time the big melee 
>events come around, they know the rules, they know what they're doing, 
>and they just need to demonstrate it for an authorizing marshal.  This 
>is what I hope to do in my area.  And as a side benefit, the combat 
>archers who are already authorized will have a chance to train more.  
>The fighters have practices every week, but we're lucky right now to 
>have several practices per season.
>
>Just as a quick poll, how many groups out there have any kind of regular 
>combat archery practice either target or live?
>
>Donnchadh
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