Thoughts on Prizing, Ranks, and Tournaments:

After following several threads on various HEMA forums (http://www.fioredeiliberi.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=14518
http://www.wmacoalition.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=319), I’ve been thinking that I ought to clarify my position on some of these topics and share them with the rest of you.

First off ranks, well I’ve never liked them. Secondly, there is scant historical documentation for their use in fencing guilds and schools. Third, who am I to be giving out ranks anyway? Finally, we are as our name suggests a collective and as such a rigid ranking system is, I feel, inconsistent with the ethos of our group. However, it is worth noting that an unofficial system already exists and I think ought to continue. In this group your skill and knowledge speak volumes, the more of these you have or develop…the more responsible your position within the group becomes.

Next, prizing. For those who are unaware of the practice, it is essentially a challenge by a student to face the schools other students and/or any others willing to fight them. The “prize” in this is varied, either it is the acclaim of the school, or it is an increase in rank, or something else. Ultimately the reason for prizing within a group such as ours is to demonstrate the skill of the group and the individual. Therefore, I intend to encourage you all to issue a challenge to the group to “play for the Prize”. That however leads us to a dilemma, what to use as the “prize”? After a discussion with others last night I think I have hit upon a solution. First though I must say this: we have no formal ranking system…some of you will want one and others will not. Prizing then will function as a ranking system that anyone may opt into, or out of, as they see fit. It will not be required, merely encouraged. That then said we can move onto the form the “prize” will take. I’m thinking that I will borrow an idea from a historic fencing group that I am acquainted with and an idea of Dr Hart’s. A simple ribbon is the answer, one colour for individual “prizes” and others for different multiples. I’ll leave it to the individual to decide how they will wear and display their prize; it is after all more a symbol for them then for us.

Finally, this brings us to tournaments…it is my intention that the IDC should hold several seasonal tourneys. Christmas, Spring, Summer, and Autumn…My intention is to make each a different format if possible (and if there is a format that you would like to see please let me know). The Spring tourney will be a random weapons tourney (in honor of my favorite tourney ever: http://www.pbase.com/darter02/p34_013) and the date for that will be announced soon. In the Autumn I think a Pas de Arms would be good fun. The format of the Summer tourney is up for debate and I am open to suggestions on that. As with the Christmas tourney the prize will likely remain cash, although the addition of formal prize such as a cup (that would be the winners until the next tourney) is a likely to happen.

Defenses against cuts (left to right) from coda longa alta:

Pass forward with your right foot to your opponent‘s left and deliver a false edge cut from below to his sword-hand; then circle with your left foot behind your right and deliver a cut to the opponent‘s right leg (cutting left to right).

Pass back with your left foot and make a cut from your left to the opponent‘s right side, ending in Coda Longa stretta with your sword and shield together.

Make a great pass with your right foot to your opponent‘s left and make a cut from your left across his sword-arm; then make a false edge cut from below your shield to the opponent‘s sword- hand.

Protect yourself by making a great pass back with your left foot and making a cut to the opponent‘s right temple.

Pass back with your left foot and thrust upward to the opponent‘s face from below your shield, ending in Coda Longa Stretta.

Notes: Coda Longa Stretta differs only marginally from Coda Longa Alta. Right foot forward in CLS and left foot forward in CLA.

Defenses for Coda Lunga Alta against the riverso:


Gather back with your left foot so that the Riverso passes your leg; then make a great step forward with your right foot and make a Riverso to the opponent‘s right leg; then make a Falso upward from below your rotella.

Make a great pass back with your right foot and make a Riverso Spinto to the opponent‘s right temple.

Pass with your right foot to your opponent‘s left and deliver a Falso from below to his sword-hand; then circle with your left foot behind your right and deliver a Riverso to the opponent‘s right leg.

Pass back with your right foot and make a Riverso Spinto to the opponent‘s right side, ending in Coda Lunga Alta with your sword and rotella together.

Defenses for Coda Lunga Alta

Defenses for Coda Lunga Alta against a mandritto to the leg:

Pass forward with your right foot and parry by putting your Falso below your rotella; then deliver a Riverso to the opponent‘s forward leg.

Protect yourself by passing back with your right foot and thrusting from beneath your rotella into Guardia di Faccia.

Pass back with your left foot and make a Mandritto Fendente, ending in Porta di Ferro Stretta.

Make a great pass with your right foot to your opponent‘s left and make a Riverso Sgualembrato across his sword-arm; then make a Falso from below your rotella to the opponent‘s sword- hand.

Protect yourself by making a great pass back with your right foot and making a Riverso Spinto di Gamba Levata to the opponent‘s right temple.
Pass back with your left foot and thrust upward to the opponent‘s face from below your rotella, ending in Coda Lunga Stretta.

Defenses for Coda Lunga Alta

Defenses for Coda Lunga Alta against a Mandritto to the Head:

Pass with your right foot to the opponent‘s right and deliver a thrust to his face from below your rotella in Guardia di Faccia, so that you beat his strike and your rotella protects you from above.

Pass with your left foot to the opponent‘s right and make a Riverso to his forward leg, circling your right foot behind your left.

Protect yourself by making a Stoccata to the opponent‘s face; then jump back, ending in Coda Lunga Alta.

Parry by making a Mezza Volta di Persona and beating the Mandritto with your rotella; then deliver a Mezzo Mandritto to the opponent‘s sword-arm, ending in Cinghiara Porta di Ferro.

Pass forward with your right foot and make a Falso to the opponent‘s sword-hand from below followed by a Riverso to his thigh, ending in Coda Lunga Stretta.

Make a great pass with your right foot to the opponent‘s left and make a Riverso Sgualembrato across his sword-arm; then make a Falso from below your rotella to the opponent‘s sword- hand.

Protect yourself by making a great pass back with your right foot and making a Riverso Spinto di Gamba Levata to the opponent‘s right temple.

Pass back with your left foot and thrust upward to the opponent‘s face from below your rotella, ending in Coda Lunga Stretta.

Defenses for Coda Lunga Alta

Defenses for Coda Lunga Alta against a fendente to the head:

Pass with your right foot to the opponent‘s right and deliver a thrust to his face from below your rotella in Guardia di Faccia, so that you beat his strike and your rotella protects you from above.

Pass with your left foot to the opponent‘s right and make a Riverso to his forward leg, circling your right foot behind your left.

Protect yourself by making a Stoccata to the opponent‘s face; then jump back, ending in Coda Lunga Alta.

Defenses for Coda Lunga Alta

Defenses for Coda Lunga Alta against an unnamed attack:

Deliver a Falso to the opponent‘s sword-hand under your rotella; then return to Coda Lunga Alta.

Step forward with your left foot and make a Stoccata; then gather back with your left foot and go into Coda Lunga Distesa.

Step forward with your right foot and deliver a Fendente to the opponent‘s head, ending in Porta di Ferro Larga and gathering back with your right foot.