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Good evening everyone,<BR>
I just got this from Lady Liliana, and it's posted on the Ansteorra list, and wanted to <BR>
make sure everyone who's going to Gulf Wars with a Young Fighter will know what <BR>
the current requirements are.<BR>
<BR>
There are some excellent scenarios planned for our brave Youth Combatants, so<BR>
make sure they have all of the proper equipment so no one has to be disappointed!<BR>
<BR>
Travel safe & fight with honor!,<BR>
<BR>
Germanicus<BR>
Central Region Youth Boffer Marshal<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Ansteorra rules require a "designated adult" to be within eye shot or ear shot. This allows the </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">parents to ask someone else to be responsible for their child's safety if they are tied up with </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">other busy with other things (such as kingdom business or laurels circles). This has worked </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">well and has frequently resulted in happier kids and less stressed, more attentive adults at the </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">list field. I believe this is what has been agreed to in Gleann Abhann recently as well from</SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> looking at the web pages regarding children at <SPAN class=yshortcuts><SPAN style="CURSOR: hand" id=lw_1267487999_2>Gulf War</SPAN></SPAN>.<BR><BR>In Gleann Abhann it is the expectation for parents to remain on within voice range of their </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">children. There is little to no way for this to be enforced this at GW. But this year parents will </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">have to sign saying they understand our rules. We do not treat youth combat as a "Children's </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Activity." Parents need to understand, marshals have enough responsibilities just marshaling. </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">They will not take responsibility for the kids and are not expected to keep up with children </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">or monitor them when they are not on the field. That is the parent's responsibility. <BR></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Also just so you know. Kids will be removed from the field for un-chivalrous behavior. </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">This includes using excessive force, horse playing or cursing. Personally, I teach Jr. High </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">kids and deal with enough of that type of behavior at work. I think we as a society do and </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">should continue to hold our kids to a higher standard. <BR>Hope this make sense. <BR>Bethany Bacon <BR><BR>DIFFERENCES<BR>I. Age: Ansteorra authorizes fighters as young as 6. Trimaris, Meridies, and Glenn Abhann </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">all start at age 7, so there is an argument for those rules. However, 10 out of the 15 kingdoms </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">with youth combat programs allow 6 year old combatants, some younger, so you may have </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">questions about that as well. My thought would be to allow those who have been authorized </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">to fight a set of "authorization bouts" to verify they understand the safety rules of Gleann Abhann. <BR>6 year olds would have to be on an individual case "<SPAN class=yshortcuts><SPAN style="CURSOR: hand" id=lw_1267487999_3>Authorization</SPAN></SPAN> fight." The parents </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">would have to agree (in writing) that they MUST stay at the field when their children are fighting </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">and that they understand that their child will be fighting against older children. I would also have</SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> to request an Ansteorran marshal be their for the authorization. Even then I am not sure about</SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> letting them in the big melee battles, even the young kids get wild in the big battles. <BR> <BR>II. Weapons:<BR> a. Core -many kingdoms still use pvc core weapons. ½ in schedule 40 is what is listed as </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">required for Ansteorra. Ansteorra also permits unshaved rattan. Trimaris allows only sched </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">40 pvc core, but has a larger diameter than Ansteorra. All pvc weapons should be covered </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">with fiber tape or strapping tape. This is not outlined in Ansteorra's new rules, but has been </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">agreed upon by our current marshals for safety. <BR></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The ½ in PVC will be OK for one handed weapons for the young kids (under 10) older kids </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">at lease ¾ in. But I have seen too many of the PVC weapons break at GW. Just so you can tell </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">the marshals/parents, I inspect weapons but bending them over my knee. If they make cracking </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">sounds or have any cracks that can be felt when they are bent, they can not be used on the field. </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">I have broken weapons in the past and if it breaks over my knee it was too weak to be used on </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">the field anyway. <BR><BR>b. Diameter - There is a difference of ¼ in. diameter on weapons. Gleann Abhann says </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">2.75 in. diameter on thrusting tip, and several other kingdoms (including Ansteorra and Trimaris) </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">say 2.5 in.¼ inch difference will not be a problem, but no less than 2.5 inches. <BR><BR>c. Weight-Ansteorra currently has no weight guidelines. We have not weighed weapons at GW</SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> in the past. As long as they are not obviously heavy or weighted. No large metal basket hilts, that </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">could be used as a weapon themselves. <BR><BR>d. Length - Ansteorra has a 5 ft. limit on axe and sword, 7 ft. limit on glaive, and 8ft on Spear. </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Most divisions here read "size proportional to combatant." I tend to test whether they are </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">capable of adequately controlling the weapon as my guide for "proportional." I do not like the </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">longer weapons. I will allow the 8ft spears, if they are properly constructed, I inch PVC </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">schedule 40 and not whippy. However, the full foot of deference in the glaives is too much, </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">and especially for the younger kids. I also have to say . The field marshals have the right to</SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> remove any weapon from the field that they do not feel is safe for any reason, or that is not </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">being used safely. <BR><BR>e. Shields - material they are constructed from. Some Ansteorran Shields are made from </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">plastic or aluminum. We do not have a wood only shield rule, but we do require all edges </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">to be covered with tubing, leather, or foam to protect the weapons. The aluminum or plastic </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">is not a problem. They will have to have the FOAM padding on the edges. This can just be</SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> taped over what is already their. Our rules require the padding and last year I allowed an </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Anstorian to fight with just the tubing and a child got his fingers smashed. <BR> <BR>f. Basket hilts/gauntlete are not required on many shields and weapons and are not required</SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> for combat until 13-15 year old division. Up to then, our armor requirements list only light </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">gloves. I cannot let hand protection slide. With glaives and spires on the field, hands are very </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">vulnerable. Hockey gloves, or padding over the back of hand and wrist is a must. But there </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">is noting that says it can't be padding tape on, we have done it before. Looks bad, but it </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">protects. If they have a basket hilt (tubing or leather is acceptable) then ½ gauntlets are </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">required to protect the wrist. This goes for the shield as well as one handed weapons. </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Hockey gloves really work best for 2 handed weapons. <BR></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">II. Armor<BR>i. Neck- Ansteorra lists gorget (from light to medium leather depending on division), but </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">foam padding is not specified and fighters may need to be instructed to add foam to their gorgets.<BR>If the leather is not HEAVY the padding will be required. It is not hard to add. <BR>ii. Torso-in Trimaris and Ansteorra, <SPAN class=yshortcuts><SPAN id=lw_1267487999_4>kidney belts</SPAN></SPAN> are not required for the lower two divisions, </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Ansteorra lists a long sleeve shirt and Trimaris a heavy sweatshirt or gambeson. <BR>>>>>Kidney belts are also not something I can let slide. However, they do not have to be </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">anything fancy; 4 to 8 inch wide heavy piece leather taped around the middle will be fine. I </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">have several loner ones and some scrap leather around here I will bring. The cheep weight </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">lifting belts (black fabric and Velcro) sold at <SPAN class=yshortcuts><SPAN id=lw_1267487999_5>Wal-Mart</SPAN></SPAN> and sporting good store, are very </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">adjustable and work well for even the smaller kids. <BR><BR>*** Two items that are especially able to find at war among the merchants are gauntlets/padded </SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 1.5in 10pt 0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">gloves of any sort and kidney protection small enough to fit a child combatant.<BR><BR>Yours in service, <BR>Lady Liliana Byrnes<BR>(with commentary from HE Bethan Bacon of Glean Abhann)<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><BR> <br /><hr />Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. <a href='http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469227/direct/01/' target='_new'>Sign up now.</a></body>
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