Updated 2/28/2003
by Lorenzo
il Confuso, Keeper of the Interkingdom Archery Competition
The Interkingdom Combat Archery
Competition is a target competition shot with combat gear, which provides the
combat archer of the SCA with an opportunity to compete with other archers from
all Kingdoms of the Known World. It also provides an SCA wide standard of
comparison for combat archery skills.
The IKCAC, unlike the IKAC, consists of only one division. The starting date is 1 February and the ending date is December 1.
Prizes will be given to the top three archers of the winning Kingdom, It is further hoped that each Kingdom will encourage the efforts of their archers by awarding further recognition. The final scores as well as the monthly will be sent to the Kingdom newsletters.
GENERAL RULES:
Note: the original letter with the new rules for the 2003 season can be found here. Also, the text below is amended with the new rules.
The competition may be shot at any official Kingdom or local event (regular practice sessions which are periodically announced in the appropriate newsletter count as official events--otherwise, official events are all those announced in the appropriate Kingdom or local newsletter). Events that fall outside of the normal IKCAC season may be granted official scoring if requested to the Keeper well in advance in writing.
Archers may shoot for official score at as many competitions as they can attend, and may shoot for official score, in each Division, once each day of a multi-day event. Archers may shoot more than once in the IKCAC per day, but only their top complete round of that day will be officially counted. Shooting need not be continuous (it may stop between ends as conditions require), but must be completed the same day to be counted. However, you may not pick and choose the best scores from multiple ends to put together your IKCAC score.
In setting up and shooting the IKCAC, all necessary precautions should be taken to insure the safety of all archers and bystanders. A warranted Marshal must be present at each IKCAC shoot (an archer who is a Marshal may submit scores for himself/herself). The name of the Marshal must be submitted along with the score in order for the score to count.
Scoring is on the honor system: you may count and record your own score.
The winning Kingdom will be determined by averaging the highest scores of the three top-scoring archers for each Kingdom. In the case of a tie, the Kingdom with the narrowest point spread will be declared the winner.
Scores must be postmarked within thirty days of being shot to be counted as official. Scores may be submitted after this date by asking for approval from the Keeper. The final scores must be received in writing by the Keeper no later than December 31st. The results of each competition should be sent as soon as possible after they are shot, so they may be tabulated and each month’s scores sent out to the Kingdom newsletters.
The submitted results must include: Name of event, date, place, Marshal-in Charge's name, archers' SCA name, archer’s mundane name, archer’s group, archer’s’ Kingdom, scores by end, round and total, type and weight of bow e.g. recurve, longbow or crossbow (crossbows should be listed as either modern or period style), and type of arrow (head type, APD and shaft type) When the type of arrow is not included, the score cannot be counted. Information must be typed or printed clearly. You should send copies of the scores to the Keeper and to your Kingdom archery Officer and save a copy for your files. Scores may be sent by e-mail. You are highly encouraged to use one of the forms and spreadsheets available on the IKAC web site. The spreadsheet available on the IKAC website has automated data entry fields to help you avoid mistakes.
Note1: The Keeper needs to have the breakdown in score for each round. Scores that do not include this information may be rejected.
Note2: After the Keeper receives the scores, they will be posted on the web
site, generally within a week’s time. The Keeper will receive several
thousand scores during a season, and on occasion mistakes do occur.
Occasionally, e-mails are not delivered, and marshals forget to submit
scores. It is your responsibility to
make sure that your scores are posted correctly. Because people check each
other’s scores, and make decisions on whether to shoot based on the posted
scores, starting this year the Keeper will enforce a one-month rule
on corrections. The Keeper will accept corrections to the scores for only
one month after they have been received or shot. This means the Keeper will not
accept a notice in December that a score in May is missing. Take an interest,
and check the IKCAC web site to make sure your score is posted. Please notify the
Keeper as soon as possible of any problems.
Send
scores to the Keeper of the IKAC:
Lorenzo il Confuso, c/o Andre Detommaso, 19108 Valley Overlook Court,
Knoxville, MD 21758
Phone (301) 834-8242 till 09:30 p.m. EST
E-mail: ikac@detommaso.org
EQUIPMENT RULES:
All
protective gear, bows and combat arrows must meet the minimum SCA standards.
Check with your Marshall if in doubt. All equipment must conform to the spirit
of medieval archery.
BOWS:
Any type of SCA legal combat bow or crossbow may be used. Check
the SCA Combat Archery rules for descriptions of allowed equipment.
ARROWS:
Any
type of SCA legal combat arrow of at least 1.25" may be used. Further,all
thin-type shafts MUST have an APD device. Both feather fletch and plastic
vanes are allowed. A minimum of 12 arrows should be carried in a quiver.
The type of SCA arrow (head type, APD type, shaft type) used must be specified
when sending in scores, or the score will not count.
PROTECTIVE GEAR:
The
archers must shoot while wearing at least the minimum protection required by
SCA rules for combat archery, except the requirements for groin and kidney
protection are waived.
SHOOTING TECHNIQUE:
Any
period style of aiming from instinctive, to using marked bow limbs or crossbow
sights, is allowed. Any period technique, from the Eastern holding of several
arrows in the drawing hand or shooting two arrows at one time for rapid
shooting, to the bow and pike method of William Neade's Double-Armed Man, are
allowed, but documentation may be required in questionable cases. Any archer
using a technique which could be a safety hazard to their self or to others
must prove to the satisfaction of the Archer-in Charge their ability to use the
technique safely.
SCORE KEEPING:
Copies
of the IKCAC score sheet should be used for recording scores. You can find
scoresheet and Excel Spreadsheet on the IKCAC web site. The Excel Spreadsheet has
automated data entry fields to help you avoid mistakes. Any score sheet that
includes all the required information may be used. 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.
Scores may be sent via email.
Because
the Marker will be in the vicinity of the target, he or she must either wear
full protective gear when recording scores from the target side of the shooting
line, or they need to be sufficiently out of the line of fire that they will
not be hit. For the additional safety and comfort of the Marker, a pavise or
other form of cover, as well as a seat, may be provided 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 be 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
stops and score is recorded. Any arrow in the air at "Hold" counts.
There is no penalty for not completing an end. Times must be measured with a
watch. You may use a tape recorded count down for timing ends.
DIVISIONS:
There
is one division. Recurves, longbows and crossbows compete in the same division.
However, the type of bow used must be specified when the score is submitted.
THE TARGET:
The
target is a free standing fighter-shaped plywood cut-out, six feet tall, facing
front. It has a hinged face and heart (see diagram) which are used as high
scoring areas. The movement of these areas is easily seen for scoring. The
target is supported by a brace 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 and increase the width of the
target). Closed cell foam, foam rubber or carpet covered by heavy cloth make a
good surface. The target drawing posted on the IKCAC web site contains the
official dimensions for the target. Please use this diagram when building
your target.
The
arms 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 other contests. Making the target in sections increases ease of
transportation and storage. For durability use at least 5/8 inch plywood. The
distances to the target must be measured, not paced.
SCORING ON SPEED ENDS:
The
speed ends are intended to test an archer's 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. The archer must draw their
own arrows, no one may hand them to the archer.
The
time for both speed and regular rounds may be called in whatever manner is
decided by the Archer-in Charge, including use of a tape recorder, as long as
it is consistent 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 only fifty 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.
In
the regular end, the archer stands at the 40 yard mark and shoots twelve
arrows within a two minute time limit.
During
the speed end, the archer starts drawn and aimed and shoots as many arrows as
possible within a sixty second time limit.
In
scoring the Underhand Round, hits to the face or heart count as twelve points,
hits anywhere else on the target count as six points, and arrows striking
within the rectangle or on the lines count as four 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 30, 20
or 10 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. And 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 forty 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 similar 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 cover of any kind. Two
stakes two and one half to three feet apart and about four 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 10 yards. The archer starts
kneeling directly behind the pavise with the arrow nocked. The archer should be
situated so no part of their body would be exposed to arrows shot from the
target. 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 10 yards in a kneeling position
behind the pavise with the arrow nocked. Upon the starting command, the archer
rises to a standing position, shoots one arrow and returns to a kneeling
position before again rising and shooting. Note: if the archer prefers, he/she
may do the same as in the regular end detailed above, i.e remain kneeling, and
lean out of either end of the pavise, shoot, return behind the pavise, nock
another arrow and lean out and shoot again. This continues for a total of sixty
seconds and as many arrows as can be shot during that time. In the pavise
round, hits to the face count as five points. Hits to the heart count as three
points. Hits anywhere else on the target count for two 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, etc. hung between poles on rope to
stop the arrows that miss the target.
In
order to encourage more people to shoot, you should have some protective gear,
bows and combat blunts on hand to loan.
When
one archer is shooting inform the next archer to prepare, so there is no time
lost.
As
many archers as possible should shoot each end before stopping to recover
arrows. They should pick up all arrows from the field and return them behind
the shooting line for sorting.
With
large 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 arrow 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 the archers do not have to stand
around waiting for a turn.
It
is easier to run and score the competition with at least two officials at each
target. The Archer-in-Charge acting as Scorer, recording total scores and
calling time at the shooting line. And the Marker, recording hits at the
target.
Encourage
the archers to experiment with different styles of aiming and shooting
techniques, as well as different types of combat arrows and methods of carrying
them.
Please
send any further suggestions you have for ease in setting up and running the
competition to the Keeper.
If you have any questions or
comments, please let
me know!