The most conspicuous of the SCA’s activities is generally what we call “heavy combat”, in which fighters wearing reconstructed medieval- or Renaissance-style armor hit one another with swords, axes, and similar weapons. For safety reasons, the weapons are made of rattan rather than steel; they are wrapped to prevent splintering, and both weapons and armor are inspected before every tournament. Tournaments are not scripted or choreographed; the combatants, spectators, and referees have no idea who will win until that final shot gets through.
Visit the SCA Arts of Combat page, or for information on local combat activities, visit the SCA Combat NYC group or email scacombatnyc-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
- Fencing practice in Nassau County:
At LISORE, 3060 Hempstead Turnpike, Levittown, NY 11756. The school will be open to fencers from 6pm. Fencing will start at 7:30pm (or earlier if another marshal is there sooner). The requested floor fee is $5, but this is not mandatory as the school’s owner does not want to hold back any fencers who are not able to cover the fee.
We have a separate division for Youth Combat, in which those under 18 years old can learn the skills of SCA combat in an age-appropriate setting, with opponents of their own ages. Many of those who started in this program, once they turned 18, have been formidable fighters in regular heavy combat.
New would-be fighters are encouraged to attend a practice or two, watch what’s going on, and get some instruction (different kinds of blows, how to use a shield, footwork, etc.) without armor. Once you’re ready to try fighting for real, contact the Knight Marshal to arrange for loaner armor that you can wear.
In recent years there’s been increased interest in historically-accurate sword techniques, as reconstructed from surviving manuals written by 14th-16th-century sword masters. For some video demonstrations, see ARMA Training Videos.
We have a separate division for Youth Combat, in which those under 18 years old can learn the skills of SCA combat in an age-appropriate setting, with opponents of their own ages. Many of those who started in this program, once they turned 18, have been formidable fighters in regular heavy combat.