[SCA-AE] Petition to rescend the new elbow cop regulation.

[Rob Baldassano]

Milord, 
  Shield sizes are a good point to question. 
   
  I fight with either a wankle or a buckler. 
  My Choice of shield defines that I need to wear an elbow. 
  if you look a the Spirit in which the regulations were created, I don't think that a (sorry here) Tuchuck war shield is to be considered an acceptable tourney shield. 
   
  I can't recall at the moment what it was but in the recent tourney's wasnt' there a determination of the maximum shield size to be used in a tourney? 
   
  If we are using (for sake of arguement) a 24" shield, who is to say how long one's forearm is, or upper arm is. 
  If we are to determine people's armor standards based on their body style, length, width, what ever, why not determine the helmet thickness by their head thickness as well? 
   
  While we're at it, let's look at the ever present, though we don't want to admit it, Rhino hide. 
  If I were a Rhino hide, does that mean I can wear even less? Or since most people who have to deal with some one being a rhino hide fight harder and hit harder, should these people be required to meet higher armor standards? 
   
  Suppositions are not good points to base armor requirements on. We all need to play the same basic game, which means we need to keep to a good general base line for safety and security concerns. 
   
  It's these requirements for safety that lead me to believe that the Shield arm elbow is not just a Good idea, it is a mandate. 
   
  As for my earlier story about hurting some one by hitting their elbow. I had been told "no elbow cup is needed in this kingdom". It was after that, while still being concerned, but not having a legal leg to stand on, that I fought the gentle, and subsequently hurt them. 

  For me, any more, I will ask my opponent to don the elbow. no matter what the rules end up saying.
   
  --Eirik
  
Vels inn Viggladi <velsthe1 at hotmail.com> wrote:
  


>From: Rob Baldassano 

> We have a number of people in our local group who follow the "don't need 
>it, I ain't wearing it
>philosophy...
> I have seen a couple of our local fighter hurt, pretyt badly, because 
>they felt that they were fine with the shield being the only protection 
>between their elbow and their opponent's weapon.

Which is their choice. The minimums are the minimums, your choice to wear 
more, your recommendation to friends to wear more, that's an option.

> I can't begin to describe the agony that I put myself through over 
>hurting a friend on the field, over something that I as a marshal could 
>have prevented by asking them to don their "rigid shield arm elbow 
>protection".

That is the contention. Many (in different places) find a sufficiently 
strapped and sized shield to meet the rigid elbow protection requirement. If 
you as a marshal do not find that sufficient, then it is your duty to 
address it before combat begins. "Could" does not appear the correct choice 
of word above, "should" does sound more appropriate.

> Forget the macho BS about "I've never had an injury there", or "we've 
>never done it this way."
> It's GOOD, SOUND advice to protect yourself from harm.
> Why wait til it is you that has been hurt because you were at "minimum 
>armor standards"?
> Avoid said rush.

Again, choice. And minimum protection for the arms is rigid elbow 
protection.

> People don't think twice about buckling up in a car. Why? It's the law, 
>you have to.

Ahem, thats a discussion for another time, I think.

> So why is it that those who play sports think that they are above the 
>rules? [...]
> All anecdotes aside, it's just bad form to not wear what we have been 
>asked to wear for MINIMAL armor. That's why they call it minimal, you can't 
>fight with less.

No one has broken the minimum standards with this petition. Some find the 
shield to be sufficient elbow protection, others say more is needed in 
addition to the shield.

> For all of you who fight in minimums, and feel comfortable with it, 
>GREAT. Enjoy the day, enjoy the fighting and feel good about what you are 
>doing.

Which, it is the position of many they do meet the minimum standards, and 
this is a redundancy that affects their independant methods and 
philosophies. It has nothing to do with the apparent hyperbole that you've 
tied to this, relating it to be failing to meet the minimum standards.

> It's your choice a members of the Kingdom to petition for what ever 
>rules you would like, but consider the legal, and physical ramifications of 
>that decision before signing anything.
>
> --Eirik

And consider the social, Societal, and Inter-kingdom ramifications as well. 
Eirik, you and I have seen more than one kingdom. I find it rather nice that 
each has differences. I play the game as I find wise and enjoyable, at the 
same, I don't intend that others need to do things the same way I do.




Vels
I wear both elbows, and live in Atlantia where this petition started, 
regardless, I don't think everyone should do what I do.

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- 
---------------------------- 
Eirik Goransson / Rob Baldassano
Member, Barony of Endless Hills; 
House Odlahorde; 
Viking & All around Good Egg ; 
VROC #5029 (Tigger)
come visit http://www.dracowolf.com 
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