INTERKINGDOM COMBAT ARCHERY COMPETITION The Interkingdom Combat Archery Competition is a target competition shot with combat gear, which provides the combat archers of the SCA with an opportunity to compete with other archers from all the kingdoms of the known world. It also provides an SCA wide standard of comparision for combat archery skills. The IKCAC,like the IKAC,is won by the kingdom with the highest average score for their top three archers. These top three combat archers will be awarded IKCAC medallions. It is hoped that both kingdoms and individuals will help support combat archery in each kingdom, by providing additional awards for the winning three archers from their kingdom in addition to the medallions for the SCA-wide winning trio. GENERAL RULES The competition starts May 1, and ends November 1. The dates for the Southern Hemisphere have been adjusted, and the competition will start there on January 1, and end on Augest 1. The competition may be shot at any official kingdom or local event (regular practice sessions which are periodically announced in the approprate newsletter count as official events--otherwise, official events are those duly announced in the appropriate kingdom or principality newsletter). Archers may shoot for official score at as many compeitions as they can attend, but only once for score at each event. Archers shooting more than once at any one event must declare IN ADVANCE which is for official score. The shooting need not be continuous: It may stop between ends as condidions require. All distances must be measured out (not paced). In setting up and shooting the IKCAC all necessary precautions should be taken to insure the safety of all archers and by-standers. As stated above, the winning kingdom will be determined by averaging the higest scores of the three top scoring archers for each kingdom. Archers shooting for official score must be SCA members. In the case of a tie, the kingdom with the narrowest point spread will be declaired the winner. The final scores must be recieved by me no later than November 10(only scores which are recieved in writing will be counted-- but in a pinch, you can call the score in first to be sure of meeting the deadline and follow up with written scores). Scores recieved after this date will not be counted. The results of each competition should be sent as soon as possible after they are shot, so that they may be tabulated and each month's scores sent out to the kingdom newsletters. If your kingdom newsletter is not publishing the IKAC or IKCAC anouncements, please let them know that there are archers in their kingdom that want it printed. I would also apreciate knowing as well. Please send your scores directly to me. If you have a kingdom archery office you should send a copy there and save one for your files as well. Scores must be typed or printed clearly. Any other information about the competition or combat archery in your area will be greatly appreciated. To recieve a letter acknowledging receipt of scores, please include a SASE with your scores. Send your scores to: SIR JON FITZ-RAUF C/O JOHN R. EDGERTON, 7662 WELLS AVENUE, NEWARK, CA. 94560-3530 or call (415) 791-9070 (before 10:00 pm pacific time, please). EQUIPMENT RULES All protective gear, bows and combat arrows must meet the mininum SCA standards. Check with your marshal if in doubt. For the first years of the competition all gear may be loaned or borrowed. All equipment should conform to the spirit of Medieval Archery. BOWS: Bows shall not exceed 30 pounds at 28 inches of draw, except when using the experimental "golf tube" arrows, in which case the bow shall not exceed 50 pound draw weight. These heavy bows are to be used only with the galf tube arrows! Cross bows may not exceed 630 inch pounds. This is determined by multiplying the pull at the nut by the distance from the string at rest to the nut. e.g. pull (63 lbs) x draw (10 inches) = 630 inch pounds. This is the approximate power of a 30 lb. recurve or longbow. NO COMPOUND BOWS ARE ALLOWED. NO CENTER SHOT CROSSBOWS. NO NON-PERIOD STRING RELEASES, BOW QUIVERS, or any other non-period devices that give the user an unfair advantage over more traditional equipment are allowed. Bow sights are not allowed except that bow limbs may have sighting marks such as tape, etc. Crossbows may have open or peep as rear sights, but no front sights are allowed. Optical sights are not allowed under any circumstances. ARROWS: Any style of SCA approved combat arrow may be used. Both feather fletch and plastic vanes are allowed. A minimum of 12 arrows should be carried in a quiver. PROTECTIVE GEAR: The archers must shoot while wearing at least the minimum protection required by SCA rules for combat archery. Except the requirments for groin and kidney protection are waived. For the pavise round, where kneeling is required, knee pads are recommended. SHOOTING TECHNIQUE: Any period style of sighting from instinctive to using marked bow limbs or crossbow sights is allowed. Any period technique, from the Eastern one of holding several arrows in the drawing hand for rapid shooting, to the bow and pike method of William Nead's "Double-armed Man" are allowed, but documentation may be required in questionable cases. Crossbows may be shot from any position. SCORING SCORE KEEPING: Copies of the IKCAC score sheet should be used for recording scores. But if they are not available, any score sheet that includes all the required information may be used. Save the attached score sheet and record sheet and make copies from them. Choose an archer to act as score keeper or marker. A separate record sheet or card may be used for each archer, so long as the final scores are recorded on the IKCAC score sheet. Because the Marker will be in the vicinity of the target, he or she, MUST WEAR FULL protective gear when recording scores from the target side of the shooting line. For the additional safety and comfort of the Marker, a pavise or other form of cover, as well as a seat, may be proveded near the target. In order to approximate actual combat conditions, NO ONE may inform the archer where his arrows are striking, either hits or misses, for during combat there would no one to provide this information. TIME LIMITS Each end has a maximum time limit. This is done to simulate some of the pressure of combat. At the end of the time limit, "hold" is called and shooting stopsand score is recorded. Any arrow in the air at "hold" counts. There is no penalty for not completing an end. DIVISIONS There is only one division. Recurves, longbows and crossbows , all compete in the same division. THE TARGET The target is a freestanding fighter-shaped plywood cutout, six feet tall, facing front. It has a hinged face (see diagram) and heart which are used as high scoring areas. The movement of these areas is easily seen for scoring. The target is supported by a brase and is also secured to the ground at the base. The surface may be painted in any color or manner desired, except that the face and heart must contrast with the surrounding areas. It may be padded to reduce wear on arrows as long as the padding does not increase the scoring area of the target (i.e. it should not wrap around the edges). Closed cell foam, foam rubber or carpet covered by heavy cloth, all make a good surface. The armes and legs may be of one piece with the head and torso, or may be separate and articulated for use in various positions (such as holding a shield and weapon) for contests. Making the target in sections increases ease of transportation and storage. For durability use at least 5/8 inch plywood. SCORING ON SPEED ENDS The speed ends are intended to test an archers ability to move rapidly, nock fast, and shoot quickly, while maintaining accuracy. The time limit provides some of the pressure of shooting under combat conditions. Any archer who attempts to shoot slowly to gain more accuracy and a higher score in the speed ends will have the score for that end voided and must reshoot it. If an honest effort to shoot for speed is not made, the score for end must be recorded as "0". The archer in charge of the event shall determine when this rule is to be applied. This rule is not meant to be applied to anyone with an injury or disability which prevents rapid movements. The time for both speed and regular rounds may be called in whatever manner is decided by the archer in charge, as long as it is consistant and announced in advance to all the contestants. In speed ends, any arrow IN THE AIR after the time limit shall be counted. THE ROUNDS SEQUENCE: In order to more closely simulate combat conditions, the rounds must be shot in order of range; Longest first, with the speed ends last in each round. THE UNDERHAND ROUND: This round simulates shooting at a distant massed force. The term "underhand" was used to indicate that the target is seen under the bowhand when the archer is at full draw. Hence, shooting at long range. In this case, the range is 50 yards. The target is placed at the front center of a nine foot wide by fifteen foot long rectangle. This represents the target area presented by three files of fighters, three ranks deep. (see diagram). In the regular end, the archer stands at the 50 yard mark and shoots 12 arrows within a two minute time limit. During the speed end, the archer starts drawn and aimed and shoots as many arrows within a sixty second time limit. In scoring the underhand round, hits to the face or heart count as 12 points, hits anywhere else on the target count as 6 points, and arrows striking within the rectangle or on the lines count as 4 points. The arrows do not have to stay within the area, they score even if they bounce out (MARKERS: TAKE NOTE). The border lines must be clearly indicated so that the marker can tell if an arrow is in or out. One good method is to use a stake at each corner connected with twine at ground level. For this round, the marker must be located near to the target area in order to record scores accurately. ARCHER'S CHOICE: This round allows an archer to choose his or her range either twenty, thirty or fourty yards. For in combat an archer often has to make the choice between the sure shot at close range and the harder but more rewarding shot at long range. IN THE REGULAR END THERE ARE TWELVE ARROWS AND A TWO MINUTE TIME LIMIT. IN THE SPEED END, WHICH IS SHOT AT THE SAME DISTANCE AS THE REGULAR, THERE IS A SIXTY SECOND TIME LIMIT AND UNLIMITED ARROWS. In scoring this round hits at fourty yards count for four points. Hits at thirty yards count as three points. And hits at twenty count as two points. Hits to the face or heart double the score for that distance. PAVISE ROUND: This round simulates the use of a pavise or simslar protection while shooting. An actual pavise is not required for this round, as the intent is to put the archer through the movements needed to make use of coverof any kind. Two stakes 2 1/2 to 3 feet apart and about 4 feet high can be driven into the ground and used to simulate the pavise. However, if a pavise or other form of cover is used, it should be secured so that it will not fall over, and it should not be so high that shorter archers are unable to shoot over the top. In the regular end, the pavise is set at twenty yards. The archer starts kneeling directly behind the pavise with the arrow nocked. The archer should be situated so no part of his body would be exposed to arrows shot from the target area. Upon the starting command, the archer leans out around either side of the pavise, while kneeling, and shoots. Upon shooting, the archer returns behind the pavise, nocks another arrow, leans out and shoots again. This continues for a total of twelve arrows or two minutes. The archer remains kneeling throughout the round. In the speed end, the archer starts at 15 yards in a kneeling position behind the pavise with the arrow nocked. Upon the starting command, the archer rises to a standing position, shoots shoots one arrow and returns to a kneeling position before again rising and shooting. This continues for a total of 60 seconds and as many arrows as can be shot during that time. One or both knees must touch the ground between each shot. In the pavise round, hits to the face count as 5 points. Hits to the heart count as 3 points. Hits anywhere else on the target count for 2 points. SETTING UP THE COMPETITION Try to set up the field so that the sun will be behind the archers' backs. If possible use a natural backstop, such as a steep hill or embankment. If this is not possible use old carpet, blanket, tarp, ect. hung between poles to stop the arrows that miss the target. Inorder to encourage more people to shoot at major events, you should, you should have some loaner head protection, bows and combat blunts on hand. When one archer is shooting, inform the next archer to prepare, so no time is lost. As many archers as possible should shoot each end before stoping to pick up arrows. They should pick up all arrows from the field and return them behind the shooting line for sorting. With larg numbers of archers time can be saved by dividing them into two groups at each target. One group shoots first, then when they are sorting and examining their arrows the second group shoots. If large numbers of archers are shooting, you should have enough targets set up so that long waits can be avoided. If this is not possible, you should have a sign up list with shooting times, so that archers do not stand around waiting for a turn. It is easier to run and score the competition with at least two officals. A marker, recording hits at the target. And a scorer, recording totat scores and calling time at the shooting line. Encourage the archers to experiment with different styles of aiming and shooting technics, as well as different types of combat arrows and methods of carrying them. |--9 ft.--| _________ ___ | | | | | | | | 15 ft. | | | | target | | |____*____| _|_ | | | | | | Pavise Speedend * A 15 yards | | | Pavise - Regular end * B & C 20 yards and archers choice | | | | Archers Choice * C 30 yards | | | | | Archers Choice * C 40 yards | | | | | Underhand - both ends * D 50 yards