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"Fiore's giocco largo
Ξ December 15th, 2005 | → Comments Off | ∇ Fitness / HEMA, SCA |
Brian held a SSG longsword class in Dallas, and I headed up there with Nicole. We crashed at Brian’s house, and had a great time. As I’ve said, I begrudge no moment spent absorbing WMA information, and Brian is a treasure trove. He gave me some really solid ideas on how to methodically build a local WMA organization and membership base. I’ve also learned a lot from listening to him share his past work experience.
This time, the big topic for discussion was honor. Whether in WMA or the SCA or any other venue, respect holds pride of place. What has a person won if he shrugs off a hit or plays the rules to win? Certainly not acclaim or recognition of his (dubious) prowess. The big question of the night was, how do we handle such opponents? I’ve felt the ugly desire to win at all costs well up in my gut, and I can see how I could become such an opponent. So I try to focus on playing well, rather than winning. Have I performed techniques cleanly? Am I being responsive to my opponent/partner’s actions in the fight? Sometimes I slip, but not always.
And indeed, Brian’s belief is that if, for any reason, there’s uncertainty over who won a bout, then honor can be preserved and enhanced by yielding the bout. If you lost, then you have correctly yielded the fight. If you didn’t clearly win, then your skills clearly can stand improvement. If you did clearly win, then it will be obvious to you and (sometimes) to the discriminating members in the audience. What more need be said, if you know you won? All errors in interpretation of his words are mine.
