Medieval Fight Club vol. 2

[higgins]

Some entertainment for a change.

Got into a fight after a six week hiatus due to knee injury and some upper respiratory crap that's so common in my climate. I had no stamina whatsoever and damn do I look slow on camera, but managed to press enough to win the match. The new helm worked like a charm.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvA9I6tHo4o[/youtube]

Action begins at 2:00.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JElf-3Vtqyk[/youtube]

I love how these videos can be used to analyze your fights. One clip that was recorded during summer showed that the tall pot helm telegraphs a TON. Now that's this issue is alleviated by the new helm, I clearly need to work more on variety in my strike angles.

Also, I didn't realize that started doing pure wrist strikes when I ran out of wind at the end of the second round. That's a completely pointless action versus armor.

[higgins]

"Witness me!"
I bought that silver tapout mouth guard before this quote was a thing



Yes, that right hand gauntlet is a mess. I have a new one on the way.

[EinBein]

Nice atmosphere!

Think the fight would be much shorter in 'Bastards rules?

[higgins]

Nice atmosphere!

Yeah, that's a local rock club. One building over from our fighting cellar.

Think the fight would be much shorter in 'Bastards rules?

This fight? Well, not really. Keep in mind that it's sword cuts vs plate armor, which is quite ineffective as far as ending the fight is concerned. If two characters took up that tactic in 'Bastards, their fight would take forever as well. Until one of them finds a gap, that is.

For us, unwittingly finding a gap in your opponent's armor can end a fight as well, as that's our most common source of injuries. Though that's true for HEMA as well.

[Agamemnon]

Nice atmosphere!

Yeah, that's a local rock club. One building over from our fighting cellar.

Think the fight would be much shorter in 'Bastards rules?

This fight? Well, not really. Keep in mind that it's sword cuts vs plate armor, which is quite ineffective as far as ending the fight is concerned. If two characters took up that tactic in 'Bastards, their fight would take forever as well. Until one of them finds a gap, that is.

For us, unwittingly finding a gap in your opponent's armor can end a fight as well, as that's our most common source of injuries. Though that's true for HEMA as well.

Fortunately, 'Bastards doesn't have any regulations preventing you from getting a good murderstroke in the guy's helm or wrestling them to the ground and shoving a good solid rondel in their eye slit. That sort of thing is usually frowned upon in the sporting arena.

[higgins]

One of the photographers captured some of the main fight on the video as well. I'm not in it, but damn does the pro camera and skills make the image look good compared to the other clips. The guy on the left is one of the best fighters in Estonia. The other one is a beginner, but with a solid MMA background. Watch it in HD if you can.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpZ4do212sc[/youtube]

[Forknife]

Nice! Looks like a lot of fun. Is there a scoring system involved to determine the winner of fights like this? Jury like in boxing keeping the scores?

[higgins]

Nice! Looks like a lot of fun.

Three two-minute rounds is a rough ride though, especially since grappling is allowed. My current stamina won't allow it. Maybe someday.

Is there a scoring system involved to determine the winner of fights like this? Jury like in boxing keeping the scores?

There's a total of five referees. Two in opposite corners are keeping score on one fighter, two in the other corners are keeping score on the other. The head referee is in the ring, making sure that the rules are followed and calls a stop when the armor breaks.

Basically each clean sword hit is a point, any shield strike, punch or kick that destabilizes your opponent (loss of balance, head yanks back, etc) awards a point and takedowns award two points. You're allowed to one more strike at a downed opponent for an additional point if you can follow it up immediately. For more info and the full rules click here.