[Archers] Draft of Archery Rules

[Ted Shertzer]

Hello All,

Having heard some comments about the Draft of the Archery Rules, I went back
to look at them. I have a few questions or concerns that I would like to
have addressed. I'll ask these questions as if I was a MIT so that I can get
a basic reply or answer that would be clear to any MIT...

In section

2.3.2 Training 

The bullet:

        Maintain or acquire an average on the Atlantian Royal Round list 

  Why would that be necessary ??  Suppose the Marshal/MIT/archer shoots only
the Winter and novelty shoots. We all know that the skill set on a Royal
Round Range may not apply 100% to the Winter or Novelty type shooting..
Having shot or required to shoot three Royal Rounds a year doesn't appear to
me to actually enhance one's ability to be a Marshal who could run a Royal
Round Range..  Knowing the rules and safety items would appear to me to be
more important.


In section

3.1.2 Forbidden Equipment and Techniques 

        Hand straps - strap that holds the hand to the bow 

I don't understand this one. How does a device that keeps the bow safely
attached to an archer be forbidden. I've seen several SCA archers who should
or would benefit from the use of one. It would have prevented them from
dropping their bow when they released. Especially when a proper grip on a
bow is a loose grip..


        Uncovered holes in the handle of some types of recurve and take-down
bows 

I assume this applies to covering up the bow with tape etc.. so that it
doesn't look so modern. My problem with this is wouldn't it make it harder
for me as young MIT to actually inspect the bow when the tape has covered
areas I can not see..   


        Overhead draw (raising the bow high over the head pointing upward
and drawing it while lowering it         towards the target) 

I guess this one needs clarification to me.  How high is high ??.  I've seen
many archers raise their bow and lower as they pulled down. Infact History
tells us that that  was the perferred method of many longbowmen. And if the
range is setup appropriately, then an actual release down range should not
be more than an embarrassment to the archer at the time, followed up with
some possible hints or advise to prevent the issue from occurring again. If
we are raising beyond 45 degrees and the archer is holding it at that height
until they are fully drawn or almost drawn before lowering, then  I see a
potential problem and should be addressed.

Another point here is that shouldn't the crossbow fall in this area. Not
that we raise a crossbow over our heads and then lower it. But to the fact
that many crossbowmen sit.  They cock the bow, place it against their leg or
knee, where it can be pointing at an angle greater than 45 degrees and
normally not straight ahead (I guess they may be afraid of shooting
themselves in the foot), but at a slight angle, while they then place the
bolt on it before raising it off the knee or leg and placing it in the
proper position. With the different types of triggering mechanisms, many
require a little bit of pressure to cause a discharge.  Not very many
crossbowmen can cock the bow while kneeling, mainly here requires that they
do not load the bolt until they are in the kneeling position.  I'm not
saying that standing is the only way to shoot, because many crossbowmen do
not load the bolt until they are upright (makes sense to me), but many do
not hold it pointing down or straight ahead.  So, as a young MIT in
training, when do I call a safety condition on a crossbowmen and tell them
they are using a forbidden technique and must change it or they may not be
able to shoot on this range or event?


        sight markings of any kind on the string  

I really don't understand this one as a new MIT.  First if I draw back to to
an anchor point that touches my lips, cheek or ear, I can't even see how I
could see amy markings on the string. Are we saying that these are different
knocking points so that an archer always holds their bow at the same angle
while the angle of the arrow changes?? If so as a new MIT how or rather what
do I tell or explain to the archer why they can't use this method.

 In section:

2.1.4 Activity 


        All warranted marshals are expected to exhibit a minimum level of
marshalling activity. Marshals that         report little or no marshalling
activity for a prolonged period of time will have their warrants revoked 

What is all this about??  Once I become a marshal, I may not actually run an
event, practice, etc. So, how is my activity as a Warranted Marshal to be
reported?? And what is a prolonged period?  The rules and regulations do not
change that often. When were the last time the rules for running the Royal
Rounds or IKAC been changed? So once an individual has been warranted, their
activity as a marshal should only be questioned and pulled, if they are
called  upon to run. monitor or assist, and it is clearly shown that they
can not perform the duties.


        Persons applying for warranting must have a current average on the
Atlantian Royal Round list. Ensuring         the working knowledge of the
rules and means of monitoring the Atlantian archery ranking system. This is
the only instance where a Royal Round average is required

I've addressed this issue earlier. I do not see why this requirement is
necessary. Having an average, doesn't assure that one has a working
knowledge etc.. Only that they shot 3 rounds...

In Section:

2.2.1 Cancellation 

        The last marshal class attended was more than two years in the past 

Since the rules do not change that often. I'm curious why I would lose my
marshalling ability, just because I was unable to attend a Class. If I am
active either as a marshal (MIC) or as an archer participating at events
during that two year period, why should I be penalized, especially if I am
unable to attend the University or an event that a class may be given at.
I've seen individuals who have been in the SCA for many years and have
attended many events that have archery, but no classes (in a two year
period).  In fact the  number of events that had Marshalling classes could
be counted on one hand.   A Warranted Marshal is one who has gone through
the training and shows that they can perform the duties required to make a
safe archery environment. If the rules and regulations change that much then
we have a problem. CPR certification is not the skill level required here.
Besides, we have all come across marshals who attend the Marshalling class
at the appropriate frequency, but their skill level or confidence as a MIC
is not there or has not improved, and as Marshals, we watch to assist these
individuals many times behind the scenes and when appropriate point out the
ways they can improve in a private setting.  I agree that we all should
brush up on the rules and hear some of the experiences that hopefully would
be brought out in a classroom environment, but I see no reason to cancel or
remove a qualified and proven individual from our Marshalling ranks, just
because they could not attend a class.


Well, that's enough for now.  
 Theodore