Armored Marshal 101 Training for the Office of the Marshallate Kingdom of Atlantia The following lists instructor notes for the Armored Marshal 101 class for the Kingdom of Atlantia.

Armor

• How to inspect
  • Verify that the points of knees and elbows are covered
    • 3-pts of elbow must be protected behind shields
  • Helms - Verify bar spacing and integrity. Try to check for internal protrusions or proximity to eye brow. Verify sufficient padding. Verify helm has sufficient coverage to prevent reasonable shot from hitting chin/throat.
  • Rigid part of helms cannot contact user
  • Camail/aventails must have ¼” padding (or equivalent) at throat and over vertebrae. I want marshals being liberal in their interpretation of (or equivalent) here
  • Emphasize checking chin strap, if it is critical to keeping the helm off the face
  • Weld inspection - Check helmet for cracked welds. Check cops for stress fractures that risk total failure of cop
  • Check gorget for coverage of neck and upper vertebrae
  • Check straps for wear and verify articulation is functional and not damaged.
  • Verify body armor covers lower spine, kidneys, and short ribs
• Hand protection
  • Half Gauntlets - Back of the hand and wrist needs 'rigid' protection with Basket Hilt
  • Street Hockey Gloves not acceptable by themselves
  • Behind shield - Needs sufficient protection. Either rigid gauntlet or shield basket that prevents penetration of a sword to reach the hand.
• Medieval Appearance Law
  • Foot Gear - Define which boots are allowed and which aren't
  • 10' rule - Emphasize looking for reasonable appearance at 10ft
  • Exception for hand protection
  • Be polite in enforcement. Try to be helpful if possible.
  • Intention is to improve appearance of field, not prevent folks from playing
• Shields must be actively controlled

Weapons

• Swords
  • Check minimum diameter (1.25")
  • Check foldover of thrusting tips. Make sure can't excessively penetrate a 1" opening
  • Basket-hilts are considered equivalent restraint as a lanyard
    • May require lanyards if you think public is too close to the fighting. (Generally good idea to bring supplies if this is the case)
• Mass weapons
  • Verify not excessively heavy (<5 lbs)
  • Verify maximum length (<4')
• Great Swords
  • Verify maximum length (6')
  • Check foldover of thrusting tips
  • Verify not excessively heavy (<6 lbs)
• Polearms
  • Verify maximum length (7.5')
  • Check compression of thrusting tips
  • Check compression of edge
    • Do not just use a single finger for compression test. Consider area of impact and compressibility
    • Make sure for rigid surface poles that it will still compress under sharp impact
  • Verify vaguely period in shape
  • Make sure there is not excessive flex in the weapon. It should not be able to swing over a proper shield block and still hit the defender
  • Verify not excessively heavy (<6 lbs)
• Spears
  • Verify maximum length (9')
  • Verify compression and width of thrusting tip
  • For fiberglass spear, check flexibility to explore integrity of shaft
  • Verify not excessively heavy (<6 lbs)
• Other - Javelins
  • Verify less than maximum weight (<2 lbs.)
  • Verify 1-1/4"+ rattan or 2-layer Siloflex 1"ID 1/8"wall with PVC end-cap
  • Verify properly taped and owner identified
• 1H Backup weapons & 1H spears do not need restraining devices
• Allowances for small areas under 1-1/4” thickness
• Discuss what is meant by punch weapon prohibition – Action of punching, not the physical weapon from the field

Marshaling a Bout

• Where to stand
• What to look for
  • Quick check for easy to forget armor before fight starts
  • Note edge colors
  
  
• Blow displacement causes a telling blow
• Discuss Incidental contact

Authorizations

• Specific procedures on how to conduct an authorization
  • Questions to ask
    • Have you read and understand the rules of the list?
  • Short list of important topics to cover
    • Legal target areas
    • 4-on-1 rules
    • Engagement
    • Corkscrewing
• Ushers/Authorizer Fighter - selection and role
  • The person fighting the new potential fighter should be an experienced fighter who is capable of truly testing the authorizee.
  • They should determine that the authorizee can throw a killing blow and has some form of defense.
  • They should also rush the fighter at some point to make sure they won't react inappropriately.
  • If thrusting tips are involved, they should attempt to charge a thrust to see if the authorizee will pull the force. Also, face thrust power should be explored.
• Expectations of authorizing in the different forms
  • WS - Can they throw a killing blow? Do they show minimal competency in defending?
  • For DW, GW, PW, SP expect more offensive competency than WS. See how they react to movement.
  • Blow power and control critical for SP
• PRINT and Sign LEGAL name, not SCA name. Please try to be legible.
• MITs CANNOT sign paperwork. You must have an appropriate warrant for that.

Sponsoring MITs

• Role of Sponsor - Provide high level training in how to be a marshal. Provide guidance and helpful advise. Answer any questions (or forward up the chain if you don't know the answer)
• Role of MIC-Event overseeing MIT - Train the MIT. Provide someone to oversee and provide input and guidance. Remember MITs cannot sign off on paperwork and can't watch a fight by themselves.
• Make sure the MIT has contacted the Discipline Deputy Earl Marshal, so the DEM knows about them.

Engagement Guidelines

• 4-on-1 maximum
• Line engagement - Even then, be careful if they show no sign of recognition. If they are to be blindsided, aim for area not likely to injure.
• Passing shot - Can throw until shoulders have fully passed
• Shot while disengaging - If fighter turns away to disengage, opponent can throw as long as they don't have to step to keep in range. Definition of step here is loose in interpretation. They can move foot, but shouldn't be covering significant distance to maintain range to opponent.

Experiments

• Process to initiate - Contact DEM-Armored with proposal. Expect a dialog to work out issues.
• Restrictions - Must make sure everyone recognizes this is an experiment. May be restricted in who can participate. Experimental weapons/conditions must be acceptable to all participants.
• Reporting - EVERY SCA usage needs to have a report filed with EM, and appropriate DEM-Discipline