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Rules: Fixed typo

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{{Short description|Combat sport}}
[[File:SCA heavy combat at Pennsic 38.jpg|thumb|300px|Fighters practicing at Pennsic XXXVIII (2009). Note the use of rattan swords, edge padding on the shields, and bar grills added to the helmets]]
'''SCA armoured combat''',<ref>{{cite web | url=http://welcome.sca.org/armored-combat/ | title=SCA Newcomer's Portal | Armored Combat | date=13 May 2013 }}</ref> or informally '''heavy combat''', is a [[combat sport]] developed by the [[Society for Creative Anachronism]] (SCA) in which participants in protective [[body armor|body armour]] compete in [[mock combat]], individual tournaments inspired by forms of historical combat, and tournament combat practiced in [[medieval Europe]]. Groups also compete, under supervision, in group battles which may approximate historically real combat, using SCA approved safe weapons. Combats are performed under the watch of marshals to maintain safety.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.renaissancemagazine.com/backissues/combat.html |title=Historical Re-Creational Combat|author=John Clements|publisher=Renaissancemagazine.com |date= |access-date=2010-02-17}}</ref> It is variously considered a [[combat sport]], [[contact sport]], or a form of [[martial art]].

The slang term "heavy" is used to distinguish this from "light" combat, now almost exclusively referred to as [[SCA fencing|rapier combat]].

Participants use [[armor|armour]] and [[weapon]]s specified by SCA standards and rules. Weapons are made from [[rattan]] rather than steel for added safety.<ref name="auto1">Corkill, Eda "Urban warfare medieval style: Fighters take up arms the old European way" Japan Times, Sep 20, 2009</ref><ref name="auto2">Martell, Chris, "Clad in armor and period dress, warriors attack full strength and decide wins by code of honor" By: Wisconsin State Journal, The (Madison, WI), Nov 27, 2011</ref> All major vital points of the body must be covered by armour. The [[fighting]] is a full-speed, near full-force,<ref name="auto2"/> full-contact competition between two or more [[combatant]]s, designed to resemble medieval combat dueling or melees of up to 2000 participants.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="auto1"/>

While SCA heavy combat is relatively new compared to other more established martial activities, with the first [[tournament]]s held in 1966, it has now evolved into a large worldwide combat form with thousands of active participants in [[Poland]], [[Canada]], [[the United States]],<ref name="auto2"/> [[Germany]], [[Austria]], [[Finland]], [[Netherlands]], [[Ireland]], [[United Kingdom]], [[Iceland]], [[Japan]]<ref name="auto1"/> [[Spain]], [[Belgium]], [[Thailand]], [[Sweden]], [[South Africa]], [[Australia]]<ref name="auto4">Ruth Hartmann "Peter Kearins - Maker of medieval armour" Newcastle Herald, The (includes the Central Coast Herald), Jan 17, 2004</ref> and [[New Zealand]] with new groups in [[Russia]], [[Italy]] and [[China]].

== Weaponry ==
[[File:A group of SCA heavy fighters at Pennsic 38.jpg|thumb|Fighters practising at Pennsic XXXVIII (2009)]]

Participants may choose a wide range of weapons. [[Rattan]] is used for most striking weapons, staffs, poles, and handles because when damaged it forms flexible fibers rather than dangerous sharp splinters.<ref name="auto2"/><ref>Gay, Gerald M "Creative anachronism at work" Creative anachronism at work By: ., Arizona Daily Star (Tucson, AZ), Jul 09, 2009</ref> [[Leather]], foam, and [[duct tape]] may also be used in their construction.<ref name=Zounds>Malloy, Michael T. "Zounds! Gadzooks! These wars engulf entire known world; hordes of Middle Ages fans gather for mock combat; but please, no pillaging"
The Wall Street journal. Western edition [0193-2241] yr:1984 pg:1</ref> Non-striking surfaces (such as [[quillon]]s and basket hilts) may be made of rigid materials like metal, rubber, or plastic.

== Armour ==
All armour standards are codified, with slight variations between the different regional groups within the SCA. All vital points are covered by some hard rigid protection. [[Safety]] standards are high and generally well enforced, with few serious injuries in comparison to other sports.<ref name=Zounds/> Steel is generally used for armour (though aluminum, leather and even plastic or carpet may be used if they are covered over).<ref name="auto2"/> There are a number of [[armourer]]s that supply the SCA and other living history groups,<ref name="auto4"/> but many make their own armour, while some participants may import armour from overseas.<ref name="auto1"/> Armour is generally encouraged to look like its historical counterpart,<ref name="auto2"/> though differences are often necessary to comply with safety requirements, and sometimes modern sport armour may be used<ref name=Knight>[http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/10/09/1097261851738.html?from=storylhs "A nice knight to fight for fantasy"], Daniella Miletic, Oct 10, 2004, The Age</ref> One of the most common examples is the face of a helmet: While many types of historical helm had no face protection, safety rules require full coverage of the head. As a result, there are many variations of helm used in the SCA that are otherwise historically accurate but have a steel grill added to cover the face. These grilled faceplates were also used for tournaments in Europe in the 14th and 15th Centuries, although probably not for actual warfare. Armour costs can vary greatly from [[DIY]], donation, used armour, or spending up to thousands for museum quality armour,<ref name="auto1"/><ref name=Knight/> and may weigh as much as 70 pounds.<ref name="auto2"/>

== Rules ==
[[File:SCA Combat Example.jpg|thumb|Fighters practicing at Gulf Wars XIII (2004)]]

In SCA heavy combat, the validity of a blow received is judged on an [[honour system]]. The combatant receiving a blow from a SCA-approved weapon judges if they would have been uninjured, injured, or killed had it been a historically real weapon impacting a universal "imaginary" set of SCA specified armour that all combatants "wear". This set of default armour balances valid blow/hit levels and helps to eliminate differences created by the armour combatants are actually wearing.<ref name="auto2"/> This "imaginary" armour set consists of [[mail (armour)|mail]] [[hauberk]], an open-faced helmet with a [[Nasal helmet|nasal]] (nose protection), and [[Boiled leather|boiled leather armour]] about the arms and legs. Blows with sufficient force are judged by combatants to have been deflected, defeated, or penetrated this style of armour, or if struck on an "unprotected" area of the body. Depending on these several variables a combatant judges the level of damage ranging from no damage to instant death and responds according to SCA norms and rules. Combatants varying from SCA combat norms and rules are normally frowned upon because they could potentially compromise safety, fun, and reflect badly on the honor of SCA combatants.<ref name="auto2"/>

The effect a blow has on a combatant is determined by a body part target location system. If the head, neck or torso are hit with significant force, the combatant is deemed dead. If a leg is hit with significant force to disable it, the combatant must fight on their knees thereafter. If an arm is hit, the combatant can no longer use it to hold a weapon or shield. Different weapons can have different effects, simulating the effect of the period weapon (e.g. a mace hit upon the shoulder has a more severe effect than a sword, to simulate the effect of the mace as a heavier weapon). The struck combatant either verbally acknowledges the validity of a blow or acts it out, depending on the type of bout. Some bouts request a defeated combatant die a dramatic death for good [[Showmanship (performing)|showmanship]].<ref name=Zounds/>

Certain combat moves and styles are prohibited for safety reasons; even if they would have occurred in real historical combat because they could present major safety issues for modern SCA practitioners.<ref name="auto2"/>

Grades, in the form of Knighthoods, are awarded to those of sufficient prowess. Women are awarded knighthoods as well.<ref>Georgina Connery "Combatants put mettle to the test" Canberra Times, Nov 30, 2014, p8</ref>

== Competitions ==

SCA tournaments are held regularly in which two combatants fight each other,<ref name="auto5">Camelot Lives. Time, 0040781X, 10/9/1972, Vol. 100, Issue 15</ref> using a number of advancement systems so that a single winning fighter is decided. A special case of this is the regular Crown [[tournament (medieval)|Tournament]] in each SCA kingdom held to choose the king and queen who will "rule".

[[Melee]] tournaments can include a number of combatants taking to the field.<ref name="auto5"/> Especially at large events such as [[Pennsic War]], combats may include [[war]]s, where large number of participants can take the field at once, and these may include [[Archery|archer]]s, [[artillery]] and [[fortification]]s. Sometimes, novelty combat may occur, where for instance, the fighters take the form of chess pieces.<ref name="auto5"/>
[[File:Pennsic field battle 2006 kdh.jpg|thumb|850px|center|Pennsic field battle in 2006]]

== Training ==
Most local SCA groups hold "fighter practices" where [[individual]] and group [[combat]] is practiced and informal instruction occurs, but in some regions there may be more formalized and structured training in a local style.<ref name="auto1"/> Typically several years of direct experience in heavy combat are needed to excel in tournaments. Experienced fighters often train less-experienced fighters in a [[Knight]] / [[squire]] relationship.<ref name="auto1"/>

== Fighting styles ==
Unlike many other martial arts, there is no general formal style or codified system within SCA heavy combat, and individuals may fight whatever style and type of weapon that are permissible within the rules. Styles and strategies are often passed on within local groups based on either the individual style of a local trainer, who is normally an experienced fighter known as a "Knight" or a "Peer", the style of the local group as a whole, or the style of a particular household.{{citation needed|date=November 2019}}

== See also ==
* [[Society for Creative Anachronism activities]]

== Notes ==
{{reflist|2}}

== References ==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book | title = The Known World Handbook | publisher = Society for Creative Anachronism | location = Milpitas California | edition = Second }}
* {{cite book | title = The New SCA Fighters Handbook | publisher = Society for Creative Anachronism | location = Milpitas California | year = 1993 }}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
* {{cite web|url=http://www.vikingsna.org/scarebated.htm |title=The differences/similarities between SCA fighting and Rebated steel fighting |publisher=Vikingsna.org |date= |access-date=2010-02-17}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sca Heavy Combat}}
[[Category:Mock combat]]
[[Category:Medieval reenactment]]
[[Category:Society for Creative Anachronism]]
[[Category:Live-action role-playing games]]

SCA armoured combat - Revision history

imported>Six Oh Five: /* Rules */ Fixed typo