ASAR Basic Rules of Staged Sword Fighting Performance.

TO UNDERSTAND BETTER WHAT WE DO, THIS IS WHAT IS PRESENTED TO VISITORS: My Greetings to all! What we are about to show you is not to be tried at home. These are real swords. This is not a competition, but a DISPLY of how these weapons were used in the middle ages. This is not the technically sped up, thing you might see in the movies. Each sword may weigh as much as seven pounds. For every one second of display you see, we have rehearsed sixty minutes. Again, we are not here to compete, in fact this training is difficult enough to perform for you. We are committed to each others safety. There are no winners or losers. There are few enough trained knights in this artform and we don't want to lose any in case we ever need some to fight against a bad dragon, an evil oger or nasty troll!____________________________________________________________________ HERE ARE SOME GENERAL RULES (THERE ARE LOTS MORE) FOR OUR STAGED DISPLAY....

THE RULES: The Field Bailiff's Commands are always to be followed...

• We can use real steel or boffers. Don't use anything or work with anyone who has not used that exact weapon with you previously in rehearsals.
• What we do is a DISPLAY. It is NOT combat, not a competition, not a fight, not a match, and not a contest! We are also educating the audience.
• We stage an optical illusion. Stay focused on the moment and with what has been rehearsed. The audience does not know what to expect.
• No Surprises! If you get an inspiration, discuss it, agree on it and rehearse! Perform it at a later date! If you both are not totally comfortable with it... don't do it!
• Remember the 1 to 60 rule... for every 1 second of display there is 60 minutes of rehearsal behind it.
• Steel or Boffers: Never use any weapon, that has not been rehearsed with nor rehearsed with together.
• It is easy to get hurt. REHEARSE! You can safely fight even without a shield and armor! REHEARSE! You don't need to do wild, big-arc swipes and plunging lunges. REHEARSE! Rehearse some more.
• Don't ever be goaded by the audience.
• The outcome is always pre-set each time you go out. Do not deviate from the rehearsed choreography. Use the 'method' practiced to date.
• If someone has a natural performing synchronicity with someone... good. Performance partnerings should be respected. (It could be comedic or serious). It works with dance, too!
• You are to be in constant awareness of your opponent's safety. Rather miss, avoid and break routine, than to take a chance.
• If you have ambivalent or unfriendly feelings toward the person... don't engage them in display. Settle it first. Be sure all is calm in your life and frustrations are left at the door.
• Do not display with anyone unproven to you. The person must have rehearsed with you and proven to your satisfaction that you both are totally rehearsed and can perform together the exact choreography that has been worked with.
• The Baliff has full unquestioned authority of the field. This person remains aware of conditions and safety, any chance of injury, boundaries of the area, the viewing public, etc. The command 'HALT' shall be cause to instantly cease all action(s).