Classes at Geddon 2010

[Kyrian]

This is what we have so far...

Thursday morning during weapons check
Weapons checking class

Friday morning
Sir Peter the Quick: Back to the basics

Friday afternoon
Basic combat archery

[Kracken]

Not doing the aggressive shield work class this time around?

[Kyrian]

Not doing the aggressive shield work class this time around?

Wasn't planning on it unless people want it.

[Nish]

Could you post notes for the weapons checking class if you have them? I'm interested in this but don't know if I'll be at SHP early enough to catch it.

[Xavier]

This is what we have so far...

Friday morning
Sir Peter the Quick: Back to the basics

Is this a class for beginners?

I'd like to check it out even though I wouldn't consider myself a noob. After all it's being taught by PTQ

[Dane]

It's appropriate for both new and veteran fighters.

[BattleChrist]

Anyone going to do a lefty class?

[Arrakis]

Anyone going to do a lefty class?

Second, from a (mostly) righty. I'd be interested in learning a little wrong-hand-fu...

[bo1]

you must mean superior fu, as all things lefty are superior.

[Arrakis]

you must mean superior fu, as all things lefty are superior.

I do pwn harder fighting lefty pole...

[Kyrian]

Could you post notes for the weapons checking class if you have them? I'm interested in this but don't know if I'll be at SHP early enough to catch it.

Here are my notes from both classes:

Weapons checking class notes

Training objectives:
a. Identify must haves, should haves, nice to haves.
b. Go over all different types of weapons and how to check them.
c. If possible, have failed weapons to illustrate why they fail.

Why do we check weapons? For the safety of all participants since we are using weapons that are expected to be swung at full force.

Standard: Ask yourself, "Would YOU feel comfortable getting hit by that weapon? Is there significant residual pain after the impact?"

1. Things you must have:
a. Copies of the BOW
b. Templates
c. Scales
d. Tape measures
e. Volunteers
1. Red/spears/javelins
2. Arrow backs (no armor)
3. Arrow shooters
f. Separation of passed, failed, and unchecked

2. Things you should have:
a. Tables
b. Pass stickers
c. Fail stickers
d. Shield edge for flex (this can be failed shield)
e. Known 28"-drawstop arrow
f. Tape for each color of weapon (green and red in particular)
g. Taped or gloved fingers for arrow shooters
h. Volunteers for putting stickers on passed gear
i. Checkers for weighing weapons
j. Division between checking weapons construction and hit checking


3. Things that are nice to have:
a. Signs for each type of weapon: Class I (blue), Class II (red) and spears, shields, rocks and javelins, bows and arrows
b. Fail stickers with line for why weapon failed.
c. Rope to cordon off weapon check
d. Fixed hours for missile check
e. Runners to help move piles of stuff
f. People to lay out the passed weapons and shields
g. Greeter to direct people where to put their gear
h. Feeders for the archers
i. People to retrieve fired arrows
k. Weapons checkers show up 15 minutes early with their gear. Everyone checks weapons while the head weapons checker observes and ensures consistency in checking methods.
l. Handouts of BOW rules for weapons checkers


Know the rules of weapon construction, preferably memorized
Don't destroy the weapons to check them.
Treat every weapon the same. Don't be biased because you know whose weapon it is.
Don't be afraid to get a second opinion.

Class I
a. Start at pommel. Check for stability and no core felt.
b. Go all the way up the flats checking for sweet spots and excessive twist. Excessive twist is when the foam twists and does not return back to the regular position.
c. At top, check for stability of tip and that tip cannot be felt.
d. Go down edges checking for sweet spots.
e. Flex, weight, template if needed.
f. Single-edge differentiation-12" contrasting tape
f. Hit against leg. If not sure, check against back-light, medium, hard [some weapons feel worse at light and medium or the same regardless force.
Class II
a. All checks for Class I.
b. Must be check swung against back
b. f. Single-edge differentiation-12" contrasting tape
Javelins
a. Must have yellow cover.
b. Between 4 and 7 feet long
c. No more than 24 oz.
d. Less than 90 degrees flex
e. Must pass as two-handed spear.
f. Head stability
g. No exposed core on haft/sweet spots
Class III
a. No weight minimum if Class III only.
b. Max unexposed 2/3 handle
c. No yellow cover
d. Flex and template as needed.
Flails
a. 15" along separate axes
b. One hinge per flail
c. Chain 6" max
d. No more than 1 1/2" of exposed rope/bag
e. Courtesy padding
Armor
a. Must be worn to be checked
b. Penny round
c. No protrusions more than 1/2"
d. At least 20 gauge
e. Not easily deformable
f. Not catch fingers
g. Leather at least 3/16" inch thick, no more than 2 layers
Shields
a. Punch
1. No hard protrusions at the top and bottom of the shield
2. Handle securely glued
3. No hand felt through front
b. Strap
1. Bolts safe
2. Foam stable and attached
3. Karate chop edge
4. Use fist along front to check for core.
Rocks
a. 4" diameter
b. Foam, cloth, and tape only
Bows
a. Must be strung before bringing to weapons check. Don't string their bows for them.
b. No cracks or excessive warping of limbs
c. No excessive protrusions like weights or arrow rests
Arrows
a. 2.5" template
b. Two full fletchings
c. Stable head, no wobble
d. Check for nothing solid under open cell
e. Shaft not cracked
f. Nock not broken
g. Drawstop at 28"


The Basics of Combat Archery (assumes you’re familiar with the fundamentals of archery)

Training objectives:
a. Helping you be a safe archer
b. Presenting some helpful equipment
c. Tips for arching in the melee
d. Introduce drills for developing your skills

Disclaimer: These are what I've picked up along the way. You may hear different or even conflicting information from others since I tend to take a very structured approach to archery. Figure out what works for you and use it.

----Safety
----Calling your shots
----Suggested equipment
----Don’t skimp on the fundamentals
----Target priorities
----Hitting moving targets
----In the melee
----How to avoid getting hit by a combat archer
----Training drills

I. Safety
-Remember that once arrow leaves rest, it’s out of your control
-Keep in mind what's behind the target.
-Don’t fire straight in at shields, go for angles
-Bridge battles, never fire straight into front rank

-Safety rules
-Half-draw!!!!!!
-Grappling
-Dry firing

II. Calling your shots
-Know and understand the archery rules
-Following the shot
--Anything in the way
--What's behind the weapon
--Does it deflect at least 30 degrees
-Should I call the shot? Clarification. Are you sure the arrow hit where you think it hit?
-Identifying the individual
--Ideally, by name
--By garb or weapon, as specific as possible
--Keep it short or it'll get drowned out
-Clarity from your perspective may not be the same from the target's
-If needed, discuss after the battle
--be calm, respectful.
--Don't let anger or frustration get the better of you if the other person's getting belligerent about it.
--Tell the person why you shot him/her. Some ideas: You had your shield away from your body. You were focused only on what was in front of you. You had a glaive supporting your line. I saw you calling out commands to the other fighters.
--Suggestions about how to avoid getting shot. It forces them to improve their archer awareness. It forces you to start looking for other exposed targets. If you want to get better, you can’t take the easy shots all the time. You have to challenge yourself to improve.

III. Recommended equipment
-Bow
-Arrows
-Quiver
--Back
--+Can typically hold more than hip quiver
--+Doesn’t interfere with leg movement
--+Arrows better protected than in a hip quiver
---Arrow must be spun or adjusted based on how it’s pulled out of quiver
---Hard to load, reload
--Hip
--+Generally quicker to nock than from back quiver
--+Can be drawn out to immediate nocking position
--+Easier to load and reload after battle
---Tangled in legs
---Potential for arrows breaking when you fall
---Shots to legs may break arrows
-Sidearm
-Shield: buckler or back shield

IV. The fundamentals—don’t skimp on them
-Proper body positioning
-Consistent firing position
-Repeatable
-Eliminating the variables to focus on aiming process
-Hitting what you’re aiming at

Aiming and the mental game

-Starting out with center of mass
-Group of 5 technique
-Increase range in measurable intervals
-Personal feedback with each shot
-Focus and visualization--see the path the arrow is going to take.
-Develop and trust your instincts--to the point where it "feels" right—practice, practice, practice
-Typical open shots-body
-Tighter shots-head
-No room for error-legs, arms, small gaps

Range estimation

-What happens to an arrow at range?
-How to compensate-maintain your firing position, tilt at the waist
-Techniques for determining range—size of target, comparison to arrowhead

V. Target priorities

-Leaders and "power players"
-Other archers
-Polearms, spears, other red weapons
-Florentiners
-Other
--Shooting to foul the archer's shot
--Distraction
--Disrupting momentum

VI. Hitting a moving target

-Applying lead
-Anticipating the travel path
-What is your target doing?
-What's open?
-Adjusting for drop
-Shield position

VII. In the melee
-Shooting the gaps, between heads, between people
-Constant movement, don’t allow other archers to lock in on your position
-Ducking below the line of sight between shots
-Quick no-look loading
-Picking up arrows on the move
-Shifting your point of aim—lock in on a head or body, keep bow at same level but look like you’re aiming for a leg. Vice versa
-Half-draw when supporting the line
-Illustrate difference between laser and lob
-Firing over the lines—lobbing at other archers and leaders
-Identify opposing combat archers, scan for bow tips
-When rushed, practice drawing your sidearm and start moving
-Anticipating movement

VIII. How to avoid getting shot
-Wear a helm. It is a fact that some archers enjoy shooting people in the head. If you have a helm, be wary of your open spots. True story at WPO: a spearman had a helm but it was open on the sides under his ears. I shot him there.
-Keep scanning for archers. Keep in mind that, just because an archer is not in your line of sight, he or she may still be able to hit you
-If you’re running and are getting targeted, change your pace. Stutter step. Change your direction. Don’t give the archer a predictable path to anticipate.
-Be aware the minute “lay on” is called. An archer may release an arrow as soon as it’s called.
-Throw a javelin at the archer. Even if it doesn’t actually hit, it may foul the shot.
-When charging, be aware that your most vulnerable points are either your head or your legs.
-Field awareness
-Remind front line to try and stop all missiles or they may hit something behind them.

IX. Training drills
-Train as you fight, wear all the gear that you normally have on the field when training
-Static targets for honing your aim: gallon jugs (head), Gatorade bottles (legs), 12 oz cans (arms)
-Human targets
--Body “T”
--Specify limb or body
--Holding shield
--"Aim small, miss small"
-Lobbing drill
--Firing over obstacle
--Person or obstacles, hitting target behind
-Combat archery drill
--Range estimation
--Wear all your gear
--Fire and move
--Close range and back off
--Shifting left/right/diagonal
--Run, walk, stutter step, crouch
--Moving forward, whirl to fire

X. Being a skirmisher archer (thanks to Hippy for providing the insights at the class)
-Shooting on the move
-Don’t normally use a quiver, only arrows carried in the hand
-No melee or minimal melee equipment
-Avoid melee engagement at all costs, run away if melee fighters close
-Hit from the flanks or rear
-The front line is NOT where you want to be necessarily
-Take into consideration your movement when trying to hit a moving target
-Quick nocking on the move
-Aim for targets that aren’t looking your way

[Gambit Redband]

Thanks for posting the notes Kyrian. Can Peter post his notes here or in the fighting development section, too?

[bo1]

peters notes are on the skbc website. he taught back to basics at geddon, you can also checkout his florentine and sword and board notes there.

[Gambit Redband]

I see where they are supposed to be, but I can't view the notes. I download the acrobat executable but nothing comes up. Do I have to register? Tried that, too, but the Register button is grayed out.