MK Marshal's Handbook - Middle Kingdom Armored Combat Conventions

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Contents 1 Middle Kingdom Armored Combat Conventions 1.1 Excessive Force 1.2 Using Illegal Target Area to Block a Blow 1.3 Grappling 1.4 Acknowledging Blows 1.5 Broken Weapons 1.6 Helpless Opponent 1.7 Repeatedly "Helpless" 1.8 "Doube Kill" 1.9 Mass or Two-handed Weapon Kills 1.10 Broken and Auxiliary Weapons 1.11 Wounded Limbs 1.12 "Holds" 1.13 Other Martial Arts 1.14 Modifications

Middle Kingdom Armored Combat Conventions

Excessive Force

THE USE OF EXCESSIVE FORCE IS PROHIBITED.

Using Illegal Target Area to Block a Blow

No combatant may deliberately cause an opponent to strike an illegal target area. Any combatant who does so (for example, lifting a leg) will be required to accept the blow as good. NOTE: Turning the head to avoid a face thrust or missle contact is considered the same as ducking or dodging a blow. This action does not cause the blow to fall on an "illegal" target area.

Grappling

Combatants may not grapple with their opponents, nor may they kick or grasp an opponent or their opponent's shield. "Grasp" is defined as held securely with a closed hand for any length of time.

Acknowledging Blows

Combatants must acknowledge blows according to the standards of the Middle Kingdom despite the actual armor worn. This includes armor that is ill fitting, or tabards and auxiliary weapons that may entangle legitimate blows. Marshals may require combatants to remove the offending weapons or clothes and/or accept the marshal's decision of the effect of blows delivered to it.

Broken Weapons

A blow which includes the releasing or breaking of a weapon is not to be counted unless, the receiving combatant wishes to take it or in the opinion of the marshal, a properly constructed and maintained weapon was clearly broken on the body of the combatant being hit, without any other contact.

Helpless Opponent

Do not strike a helpless opponent. An example of a helpless opponent includes, but is not limited to, someone who has lost has lost their balance and/or fallen over. Conversely, a fighter lying on the ground may not strike an opponent. An opponent who is empty-handed but still bearing a shield is not considered helpless. A combatant in the act of acknowledgeing the effects of an earlier blow is not considered helpless. A blow to a limb does not stop the progress of combat and may be followed instantly by any legal blow. In a tourney situation, when an opponent is disarmed the bout stops. Opponents may not purposely make them selves helpless.

Repeatedly "Helpless"

A combatant who makes himself "helpless" by repeatedly overrunning the borders of the List, falling over, or repeatedly dropping their weapon may, at the discretion of the marshals and the opponent, be deemed to have been defeated. This shall not apply to combatants who were in physical contact with their opponents at the time they overran the List or fell.

"Doube Kill"

When a combatant is struck by a killing blow but has already begun a blow that is killing to their opponent, both blows are considered good. This results in a "Double-Kill" in which both combatants are defeated. In tourney combat, double kills are generally re-fought. In wars and melees, both are defeated.

Mass or Two-handed Weapon Kills

Any mass or two-handed weapon that strikes the hip or shoulder socket is scored as a kill, per SCA Conventions of Combat subsection 1.2.4.C.2 (above). A two-handed THRUST to the hip or shoulder socket is NOT scored as a kill, but is still a crippling wound.

Broken and Auxiliary Weapons

If a weapon is broken on the field, it may only be replaced with a weapon of the same type, or by a worn auxiliary weapon. An auxiliary weapon that interferes with a combatant's ability to feel blows must be removed and given into the keeping of the marshal until it is needed. If a weapon is deliberately discarded in favor of an auxiliary weapon during a fight, the the combatant is allowed to resume the use of the discarded weapon if they can retrieve it during the course of the fight. A combatant attempting to retrieve such a discarded weapon during combat, while still armed, is considered "engaged". Likewise, a combatant using two weapons who drops or discards one is still engaged. A Hold is ONLY called if there is a clear danger caused by the dropped weapon.

Wounded Limbs

A combatant who is attempting to keep a wounded limb out of the line of combat and has that limb struck, suffers no additional penalty.

"Holds"

A call of "HOLD!" stops all combat until the marshal commands combat to continue.

Other Martial Arts

No Kendo, Karate, or other martial art shall be allowed in the Lists or anywhere in the Kingdom or wherever the SCA may be held responsible for their supervision, without special permission from the Earl Marshal in writing. Boffers and other such sports must also be properly supervised and require waivers if these sports are a planned part of an official event.

Modifications

The interpretations of the Rules of the Lists and Conventions of Combat may be modified for special events by obtaining advance written consent from the Earl Marshal. At ordinary tourneys, the Marshal-in-Charge may with the knowledge and consent of the other combatants, enact such sanctioned modifications as are desired.

End of Middle Kingdom Armored Combat Conventions