How to Coordinate Fighting for an Event

 

Your territory is hosting an event. They have chosen a theme and time period.  You have chosen to coordinate the fighting. As Fighting Coordinator, you responsible for developing the fighting scenarios for the day.

 

Planning stages

 

Step 1 – Gather everyone who wants to assist in creating a fighting scenario. Start with the region and time period. Is it Italy in the 1450s? Or Norway 1150?  This may guide you to a fighting scenario. Are we the Vikings fighting the spread of Christianity, or are we in an Italian blood feud between two warring families? What is the theme of the event? What fighting scenario took place during that time?  While it is not necessary to re-enact a historical battle, it can be fun to have a background story. Use Google. Search for “Viking battles in the 1100s” see what inspiration you can find. Remember to not make it too complicated. Rules should be explained in under 5 minutes. If it's too complicated people will forget in the heat of battle, so Keep it simple. 

 

A few questions that you may want to consider when planning the scenarios

• Is this a private Acre only event or viewable to the public?

• Will the public be allowed to participate or only watch?

• How big is the field?

• How many fighters can reasonably be expected? (Try to get a list of who plans on attending in advance) 

• Will there be any new fighters on the field? (Bring  loaner gear if available) 

• Are combat archers feasible and allowed?

• Will this be heavy weapons or fencing?

• Are we able to include fencing in a separate scenario?

• What is the terrain like? (Rocky/Hilly/Flat/Swampy)

• Can we use the terrain as part of the battle?

 

Step 2 – What can we add to the scenario to make it more exciting? Are there any handicaps or chances? Can we add them? Are there any obstacles?  Can we include the crowd in anyway? Are the fighters championing anyone? How does the audience know who to cheer for? Can we add contests or prizes as an added incentive for participation? 

Some ideas for competitions

• Best Challenge

• Best Death 

• Most Courteous Fighter

• Best Duel 

• Best Melee Team 

• Best Novice 

 

Some ideas that have been used in the past are roses for the winners (Rose Tourney), sheep tossing, audience throwing "stones", don't spill the "beer" while you're fighting, caltrop solo cups, etc. Once you have come up with a scenario, discuss it with an experienced fighter to get a knowledgeable  perspective. Have a couple different plans based on the number of people you expect to come. 

 

Some common Tourney types are 

• Single elimination 

• Double elimination 

• Round robin 

• Meat grinder (winner fights until they lose)

 

Prepping Stages

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Step 3 – Make certain all equipment and volunteers for the fighting scenario are accounted for;  that all people involved know the schedule, and their role. Be sure to communicate with the autocrat. Some of the things you may need are: 

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• Water & salty foods (to keep fighters hydrated, and electrolyte levels up) 

• posts or stakes 4-5 feet in height

• Twine or Rope 

• Mistress/Master of the Lists (with a table, and paper to mark off the fighters for the day and to count kills)

• A Marshall

• Waivers 

• Duct tape

• Boffer weapons (fight a knight)

• Toys (caltrops, sheep, rocks, beer mugs, etc) 

 

Day of the Event

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Step 4 - Make sure the Herald knows when fighting will take place, so it can be announced.

Step 5 – Walk the field. Check for holes and obstacles. Remove debris. Use the clearest and most level ground for your list. 

Step 6-  Set up the list. Mark out an area for the tournament, an area for arming  up, and an area for spectators

Step 7- Hold the Tournament. Be flexible. Sometimes plans need to change at the last minute. Change things as needed. If people are having fun, even if it was not your original vision, let them have fun. 

Step 8 - Clean up.  Make sure that you leave the field better than you found it.

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