Annual Inter-Kingdom Combat Archery Competition

Updated 1/29/2018

by Earl Mika Longbow, Keeper of the Inter-kingdom Combat Archery Competition

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PLEASE NOTICE - The rules have been updated for the first time since 2007. Take a moment to read completely through them.

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The Interkingdom Combat Archery Competition is a target competition shot with combat gear, a minimum of gauntlets and Helmet, 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 also hoped that each Kingdom will encourage the efforts of their archers by awarding further recognition.

GENERAL 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 AND with approval of the Keeper.

Archers may shoot for official score at as many competitions as they can attend, and may shoot for official score once each day of a multi-day event. Archers may shoot more than once per day, but only their top complete round of that day will be officially counted.

• An IKCAC has to be shot as one continuous shoot. An official start to the IKCAC must be declared, and must shoot each end until the IKCAC shoot is completed, or a score will not be recorded.
• The order of the ends is left to the archer and/or the Marshal, at the discretion of the Marshal, as long as each IKCAC score is shot as one complete, uninterrupted shoot.
• The archer may NOT pick and choose the best ends out of multiple shoots. Each shoot is a complete end-to-end exercise, where EACH arrow counts toward the final score
• Once the start of an IKCAC shoot has been declared, ALL shots are considered scoring. Ranging shots and practice shots in between ends are specifically prohibited.
• The archer may take a reasonable amount of time to complete a shoot, but no other arrows must be shot for ANY purpose (including another competition), once the archer has declared the start of his/her IKCAC shoot. If that happens, that IKCAC score cannot be counted.
• The Keeper of the IKCAC retains the right to clarify any score submitted.
• All scores must use the online form. Any exception must be approved by the Keeper of the IKCAC.

In setting up and shooting the IKCAC, all necessary precautions must 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 with a witness observing and certifying). All elements of the IKCAC form but me filled out in order for the scores to be counted (eg: Marshal name).

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, both Kingdoms will be awarded a medallion.

The Keeper needs to have the breakdown in score for each round. Scores that do not include this information may be rejected.

EQUIPMENT RULES:

All protective gear, bows and combat arrows must meet the minimum SCA standards. Kingdom’s requirements take precedence for IKCAC scores shot within that Kingdom. Check with your Marshall if in doubt.

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 arrows may be used. A minimum of 12 arrows should be carried in a quiver. Consult Society and Kingdom law regarding construction, allowable arrows and modifications.

If the Kingdom has an exemption for type of arrow or APD device, the Kingdom’s requirements take precedence for IKCAC scores shot within that Kingdom.

PROTECTIVE GEAR:

All armor requirements are waived; with the exception of HELM protection and HAND protection.

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 prior to participation in the IKCAC.

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.

TIME LIMITS:

At the end of the time limit, "Hold" is called, shooting stops, and scores are recorded. Any arrow in the air at "Hold" counts. There is no penalty for not completing an end. Times must be measured with any Society/Kingdom approved method may be used for timing the ends.

SCORE KEEPING:

Scores must be submitted to the site using the official online form, within thirty(30) days of being shot to be counted as official.

The final scores must be received to the IKCAC site no later than December 8th. The results of each competition should be sent as soon as possible after they are shot, so they may be tabulated and posted. The Keeper may contact you to obtain clarification before entering the scores.

If the Marker is 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.

Any additional arrows fired, either above the allotted number or before/after time, will be penalized by removing the highest scoring shot for the round for each arrow loosed. For Example: if two arrows extra are shot (or after time is called), the Archer's score will be reduced by their two highest scoring shots. This applies even if the extra shots completely miss.

DIVISIONS:

There is one combat division. All bow types 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 (https://scores-sca.org/ikac) 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 standard is an ‘arms resting down’ position, but the positioning of the target is not specified.

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, see clarifications above

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 are more easily shot in order of range: longest first, with the speed ends last in each round. This is meant to represent your army advancing on an opposing army.

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 bow hand when the archer is at full draw. Hence: shooting at long range. In this case, the range is only forty 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.

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 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 30 yards count for four points. Hits at 20 yards count as three points. And hits at 10 yards 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.

In a situation where there may be physical limitations, discuss the issue with the Marshal-in-charge prior to shooting to ensure needs are met (ie: if one cannot kneel perhaps a small stool can be provided). The goal is to encourage the shoot, not exclude those who may not be able to take to the battlefield.

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If you have any questions or comments, please let me know!