[Artemisia] Blow Calibration

[Thomas Clayton]

Greetings good fighters,
    Yes, here's that ugly topic again.
    First let me say what joy Coronation was this 
weekend and how great it was to see so many fighters there to 
participate.
    However, after participating in the Gryphon's 
prize, and Marshaling the tourneys on Sunday, I was very disappointed by the 
tremendous difficulties the fighter community is having , once again, in 
calibrating a proper blow.. This problem was very wide spread, and though I 
spoke to several individuals about the issue, there where many, many more. I was 
not able to speak one on one with everyone.
    The reasons for this increase in calibration 
are quite varied. But what ever the reason is, it isn't reasonable. 

    My concern for this issue stems from a fear of 
people becoming seriously injured. As an EMT, let me assure you that a serious 
head injury can occur just from a good rattle to the brain. This weekend my 
concern for my opponent was so great I almost yielded the fight before I was 
forced to injure him. This should never happen.
    Some tips that may help those concerned out 
there, based on my observations this weekend, would include;
 1)   Improve your defense. Many shots that we're 
ignored happened in the first ten seconds in the fight, due to large gaps in 
fighters passive defense. Drills, and specific practice techniques can help 
improve this.
    2) Too much armor. Some are armored like A-10s. 
I suggest, that you strip down what you feel you can,  and work on improving 
your passive and active defense so you can block the painful shot
    3) Accept that you will lose more than you win. 
Even those of us who win more than lose, still have more loses in our past than 
victories.  Lose a 1000 times until wining and losing has no more 
meaning.
 
I will be very active in discussing this directly 
with fighters that I see having difficulty in calibrating. I will be courteous, 
but very direct. Please understand that my concern is for your safety. After 
having a serious concussion myself, I am "on the clock", or a countdown to the 
day I cannot continue to fight without risking permanent brain damage. It's a 
club that doesn't need more than one member.