A Marshal Training Program

Mistress Brita Mairi Svensdottir

In the East Kingdom, there are three requirements for becoming a marshal:

1. Be a member of the SCA, preferably a sustaining member so you get the kingdom newsletter.

2. Be authorized in at least three weapons forms.

3. Be acceptable to the Regional Marshal of your region, and to the Kingdom Marshal of Fence.

Of course, making someone a marshal is reserved for the Regional Marshal of the person's area, or the Kingdom Marshal, but we can help ensure that our candidates are prepared. The following is one way to run an MIT program, and may prove useful to those wishing to start an MIT program in their area.

1. When fencers have advanced to the point where they are taking part in bouting, even if they have not yet qualified, have them do line marshaling; watching for safety. Enlist their opinions on calibration questions. Explain what to look for, and the importance of shouting HOLD to stop the action. Make sure all fencers understand the rules of combat and the armor requirements (I give them a copy of the East Kingdom rules and go over it with them on the third lesson).

2. Explain what marshals do, and find out if fencers are interested in becoming marshals. I usually ask them to start thinking about this after they pass their second weapon form, although they need three weapon forms to become marshals.

3. If fencers express interest in becoming marshals, explain the marshalling requirements (3 weapons forms, SCA membership, approval of Regional or Kingdom Marshal). Highlight for them the portions of the East Kingdom rules concerning the organization and function of the marshallate.

4. Now the intensive training starts. At practices, have the MITs run footwork drills under your supervision. Have them work with you training new fencers. If possible, work with one MIT at a time, giving time for questions and explanations. Show them how to teach, and what to look for: common mistakes beginners make and how to correct them. Don't forget to listen to their ideas; you might learn something, too.

5. At practices, conduct weapons and armor inspection, letting the MIT do the inspection with you supervising. Intervene if there is a question, or if you see something blatantly unsafe, otherwise stand back. Discuss the inspection with the MIT afterwards to make sure he/she feels comfortable with it, and knows what to look for. This is not a one-shot deal, keep giving your MITs practice in doing inspections, as well as teaching.

6. Make sure that your MITs have a clean, safe style for all weapons forms in which they are qualified. If they are to judge and teach others, they should be good examples.

7. Run practice authorizations at your practices. This gives new fencers an idea of what to expect, and MITs a chance to practice judging and fencing a authorization bout. Make sure your MITs understand what to look for, and that the purpose of an authorization bout is to allow the candidate to demonstrate what he/she can do, not to impress the candidate with your own skill. Give your MITs the opportunity to be the watching marshal and also the fencing marshal. Make sure that when the MITs are fencing they are leaving openings for the candidates. Marshals should get hit during authorizations . how else can we know if the candidate is hitting too hard?

8. Encourage your MITs to travel to out of shire/barony events to experience new fencers. Encourage them to volunteer to help at events, explaining that they are MITs. This means that they should try to get to events soon after the starting time to help with inspections and authorizations (under the supervision of a warranted marshal). They can also get experience running lists with the help of an authorized marshal.

9. Support your MITs by bringing them to the attention of the Regional or Kingdom Marshal. The more these people see your MITs in action, the more likely they are to give them marshallates.

10. Run marshalling clinics; mini-events whose sole purpose is to train marshals. Round up people to teach various aspects of marshalling, such as drills to use when teaching, body awareness, how to deal with belligerent or uncooperative fencers, how to run authorizations, different tourneys and how to run them, how to recognize unsafe weapons or armor, and how to properly use a drop tester. Bring samples of 4 oz. leather, 4 layers of trigger, etc., so people can see and feel them. Bring samples of various fabrics to test with the punch test. Bring marginal or unsafe weapons and armor to look at. Try to get the Regional Marshal to attend so that he/she may add input, and also to bring your MITs to the Regional's attention.

11. Encourage MITs to work with marshals at whatever event they attend, and make sure that, (1) they get the name of the marshal they're working with, and, (2) they make sure the marshal knows their name. That way the Regional can check with the marshal to find out how the MIT is doing.

This is the program we use in Endewearde. Feel free to adapt it to your own circumstances.

One last word for people who are trying to become marshals who cannot attend a regular practice: It will be tougher for you, as you will have to train yourselves. It will mean you will have to travel to fencing events and make yourself known to the marshals. In addition:

1. Get a copy of the East Kingdom Rapier Rules. Read and study it -ask questions about anything you don't understand.

2. Make sure you are a paid SCA member, and have qualified in three (or more) weapons forms.

3. At practices and events, offer your services to help teach, inspect, authorize. Explain you are an MIT. If you do not know any marshals, ask another fencer. Usually the marshal in charge of an event will not have time to work with you, but he/she can direct you to another marshal who will. Ask questions. Offer your opinions, but respect the marshal's, especially if it disagrees with your own. Don't be afraid to ask why, but don't get into a big argument either. After all, you are here to learn, right? You can also get a second opinion from another marshal. Try to work with different marshals at different events . the more people who know what you can do the better. Get these people's names, and make sure they know your name. If you can, keep a log of what you've done, and who you've worked with.

4. Find out who your Regional Marshal is, and what he/she looks like, so you can introduce yourself (or ask another fencer to introduce you.) Contact information for each Regional is also included in Pikestaff. Remember, you are not really an MIT unless your Regional knows you are.

5. When you feel ready, ask a marshal you respect if he/she thinks you are ready to become a marshal. If that person thinks you should wait, find out what you need to work on. If the person thinks you are ready, ask him/her to go with you to speak to the Regional Marshal, or ask if you may use that person's name as a reference when writing to your Regional Marshal. Or, ask them to write to the Regional, detailing why they think you are ready to be a marshal. The Regional Marshal cannot be everywhere, and often will accept the judgment of a fencer /marshal he/she trusts.

When I authorize marshals, I am looking for people whose judgment I can trust. I want to be fairly sure that, everyone in the Northern region has the same standards; that whether you live in Ruantallan or Coldwood, there will not be major differences in training or authorization of your fencers.

I hope that this will be of use to those who are training marshals as well as to MITs. Mistress Brita Mairi Svensdottir, OGR