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This is the Academy of the IKV Melota.
This is where you will find useful information on HOW TO to many of the things that we assume are regular processes for our ship.
This was originally written in the Dark Ages. We had about 7 months total experience with weekly Batleth Practice....
On the Codification of our Ships Rules
As I write this, this Work is not Codified as Ships Law. This is merely suggested Codification. The reason for Codification is that there are too many items that are vague and/or argued about. Both of these situations dimishes the fun of the sport. I write this in hope that it will be adopted in whole or part in order to provide a Codified, PRINTED guide that one can use to look up a definitive answer. Most of this is Generally Accepted Procedure, however, there have been some prima facie changes such as the handholds and multiple Weapons. The recent change about arm hits not counting was declared.
The Prima Facie changes which are written into the following Code involve changes to our GAP that evolved without formal acceptance. Originally, no combatants outside of Whitney and myself were using multiple Weapons (combination fighting) or using holds to disarm (grabbing your opponent's arm or Weapon). Upon our using multiple Weapons (combination fighting) it was openly declared illegal and thus we stopped except for dueling between ourselves. However, when Kyle arrived, he utilized his Police Training to the fullest and performed holds as well as used multiple Weapons. During the 2 consecutive Tuesdays that he fought, no one person that I am aware of spoke out against either tactic including the Captain (judge, jury, referee) and thus by tacit acceptance these tactics have been accepted as legitimate. Further Tuesdays have seen the spread and practice by other individuals, again without comment. This furthers the prima facie change of our GAP. Under normal Law, Silence is not acceptance, however, the lack of comment indicates acquiesence and acceptance to our GAP of these prima facie changes. We have silence AS acceptance, as well as others taking up the formerly outlawed and unused practices thereby legitmizing them.
MAD, Mutually Assured Destruction
MAD is in the real world very possible and the situation of "you can't get me, I got you first!" is not acceptable. Part of the battle is making sure that you get them without them getting you. You can be killed by somebody that you just struck.
Cases in point:
Muenchen, 1972
A terrorist holding a helicopter full of Olympic athletes as hostage was took 15 rounds in 4 seconds when the GSG-9 assulted his position. He remained conscious and moving for 7 seconds. During that time he pulled a grenade off his belt, removed the pin and destroyed the helicopter killing the hostages. 15 9mm rounds still allowed 7 seconds to fight back. The FBI and GSG-9 have seriously studied lethality of bullets to cut the time down between shot and unconsiousness to avoid similar situations.
France, 1918
A French Lieutenant and a Preussen Leutnant were found later with hands around each others throats. Actual cause of death was concussion from a nearby artillery shell. However, without the shell, they were still strangling each other according to the markings on the throats.
Who is to say that two people cannot run upon each other's Weapons, or that the vanquished already have a swing in process. How many times have you started the car door closing to discover that once the motion is in progress, there was something in the way that will get crushed. Yes, MAD can occur. But it is still a case of "Honor" on the part of both combatants to accept when MAD occurs or to accept that the the vanquished died before a legitimate strike against another could occur.
Without a properly adhered to Honor system, it would rapidly cease to be fun if certain people ceased to accept their demise. Without a properly adhered to Honor system, it would rapidly cease to be fun and become work if we had to maintain a referee arrangement.
The arguments about legitimate and illegitimate areas to hit are explained in this manner. We must first be safe, then have fun. With this in mind the head is definitely off limits and I also suggest major joints such as the knees and elbows. Otherwise, to be fair to real world application, the full torso including the buttocks is a target as is the upper legs. All of these areas would render a combatant wounded beyond the ability to withdraw from combat or dead to take a deep cut. An arm hit would wound beyond the ability to fight, but not interfere with the ability to withdraw from combat. When targeting the lower torso, please keep in mind that some of us pack precious baggage that we don't want smashed.
I also propose that each plank be voted upon separately if necessary (if there are arguments).
However, this Vote should take place NOT at a Ships Meeting, but rather, be Voted upon at Bat'Leth Practice, and ONLY by those of us actually taking the Hits.
Thus we have a suggested Code:
Code of Combat for the IKV Melota
Purpose
The objective is to have SAFE FUN and to practice skills that could be used in the real world if necessary. It is to be noted that this is the order of precedence with Safe being the Primary Objective, Fun being Secondary Objective. All else is tertiary.
Weapons
With the aforementioned Purpose in mind, the Weapons must be made or rendered non-lethal and generally non-wounding when used under normal practice conditions.
With the aforementioned Purpose in mind, they must also be maintained in this condition.
Contact
With the aforementioned Purpose in mind, Force applied when making bodily contact should be lessened to that which is non-lethal, non-wounding, and minimizing personal discomfort. Thus, though it may use considerable applied Force to defeat your opponents Weapon, defeat of the Opponent should be with the MINIMAL Force necessary to make bodily contact.
With the aforementioned Purpose in mind, Force is applied ONLY with the padded sections of the Weapons.
Target Areas and Non-Target Areas
With the aforementioned Purpose in mind, the following are considered legitimate target areas and count as hits:
upper torso, lower torso, upper legs, buttocks
With the aforementioned Purpose in mind, the following are considered ignored if hit:
hands, arms, lower legs
With the aforementioned Purpose in mind, the following are considered NON-targets and must be avoided:
head, elbows, knees
With the aforementioned Purpose in mind, Head Hits can result in a penalty imposed by the IKV Melota as an Organization.
Tactics
With the aforementioned Purpose in mind, and constrained by the Contacts Clause, the following tactics are acceptable:
thrusts, slashes, blocks and normal swordlike maneuvers.
hand holds of Weapons and arms, grappling in general,
multiple Weapons used simultaneously,
team tactics,
solo tactics.
With the aforementioned Purpose in mind, the following tactics are Unacceptable:
striking with the arms, or legs the opponents body, arms or legs.
With the aforementioned Purpose in mind, DUELS can be arranged with nonstandard Rules provided they are agreed upon in advance by Both Parties.
Honor
With the aforementioned Purpose in mind, it is upon the Honor of all combatants to accept their demise when appropriate, and to adhere to the Code of Conduct in its entirety.
Rules for Capture the Flag
Purpose
The objective is to have SAFE FUN and to practice skills that could be used in the real world if necessary. It is to be noted that this is the order of precedence with Safe being the Primary Objective, Fun being Secondary Objective. All else is tertiary.
Code of Combat
The Code of Combat for the IKV Melota is incorporated herein by reference.
Variables
These Rules are to be adhered to faithfully so that all Combatants are aware of the same Rules, however, there are a couple of Variables subject to declaration prior to the Game beginning. These are:
Boundries, which will need to be declared to fit the Play Area.
Goal Positions, which will need to be declared to fit the Play Area.
Regeneration Locations, which will need to be declared to fit the Play Area.
Regenerations, if allowed at all, will need the number of regenerations declared.
Regeneration
Unless declared otherwise, two regenerations providing a total of three lives is assumed as Standard.
Scoring
Scoring is by acquiring the Flag, transporting it across the Play Area, and placing it upon/next to your own team's Flag.
Flag Movement
The Flag can be acquired by hand or hooked upon a Weapon.
The Flag can be passed by and to live Combatants.
The Flag must be transported by a live Combatant.
The Flag must be dropped immediately by a dying Combatant. (Play it where it lies.)
The Flag can be re-captured from where it lies and returned to its goal spot by the owning team.
Halting the Game
The Game must halt immediately upon apparent or real injury to a Combatant.
The Game is frozen by the halt and can be resumed from the frozen positions, however,
The Game can be resumed from a starting position upon the descretion of the Referee.
Salek
Ship's Brewer
IKV Melota
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