You know if a hit is valid.  Here is what Maestro Aldo Nadi, trained in the Italian tradition, had to say about calling shots:

"When you wish to fence with an experienced fencer, treat him with due
respect. Ask him if you may have the honor to “receive” some touches from
him. He will be happy to please you. A part from lessons which must never
be neglected, your improvement will depend a great deal upon fencing with
stronger opponents.

In the Salle d’Armes you are allowed to shout as much as you like one word
alone; “Touched”. Only through this word can you let off steam. Quite
useful sometimes. You must announce the touches you receive, interrupting
the combat at once. And do not say; “Here”, “Yes”, “Good”, etc. Just say
“Touched….”

Should your opponent try to “Steal” your touches, do not argue over them.
Never point to where you have scored. Ignore your success as much as your
adversary. You are permitted to think, however, that his behavior is not
worthy of the sport he practices. If you possibly can (and this is not easy
for a novice) the next time you score keep your point on his chest for a
second or two – no longer than that. This of course may be done only if you
are not touched yourself anywhere – before, or simultaneously – in the same
phrase d’armes. In all events keep your mouth sealed, and resume the combat
as if nothing has happened. For your information, these peculiar
adversaries who refuse, God knows why, to say the famous word, are called,
in my Master’s jargon, “deaf.”

Indeed, in the matter of calling the touces you receive, you will do well to
keep on the gracious side. Not only will your generosity make an excellent
impression on your opponent, but it will also prevent you from getting the
habit of that quite objectionable “deafness.” Then, unless your adversary
is frightfully hard of hearing, he may do his best to overcome his strange
affliction. His best may not mean much; all the same, you will be giving
him a silent lecture on fencing behavior. Never miss any opportunity to
enforce customs that cannot and must not be changed by anyone."

Aldo Nadi, On Fencing, (Laureate Press, Sunshine, FL.1943, reprinted 1994).
pp. 233-234.

Guillemin wrote:



"If I'm moving in (charging in, in most cases), I may very likely catch one stiff, and I'm willing to accept that. This is especially true in some of the more rural areas of our northern Principality, where some fully authorized fighters haven't had much sparring practice or even very much gauging before being thrown into the fire at the local champion's event. "

First of all, chargin' in is very bad technique, is dangerous, and would likely get you a warning from me for using a dangerous technique.

Secondly, why are these people authorized if they have no practice in assaulting or guaging.  This is not safe.  If they're not safe then they shouldn't be authorized.



"As marshals, we must teach to the lightest touch to protect all fighters from the kinds of injuries that can occur if something is throwing shots the wrong way, but as fighters we must be willing to take as much beyond the lightest touch as is necessary, given the situation in the eoric, without issuing complaint. Please note that someone who frequently hits like a ton of bricks is a different situation and must be confronted and then disciplined accordingly."

Wrong!

If someone hits you too hard let them know, even if it is an accident.  They need to know that the shot they threw is outside of acceptable strength.

Most of the time I know when I throw a shot if it's gonna come smokin' in or not.  If it is I can usually either pull it, or relax shoulder, elbow, and wrist to lessen the strength.

Nearly every one that "gets away form me" I know it, and am apologizing for the strength of the shot as it lands, if not shortly thereafter.

You must be ruthless with your own technique, so that there are very few shots that "get away from you".

"I'll bring up my new favorite saying to sum up... "In Avacal, if it's too hard, go fight heavy." Also being considered as a household motto, I do believe...."



You just don't get it, do you...  While gettin' hit hard is a risk you take by engagin' in a contact martial activity, it's not something you roll over for.

Dormouse

OK, now I really am going to bring back to the original intent of the thread.  And I'm going to be blunt.

Guillemin overstates the situation.  Put him in context and he makes sense.

The point I was trying to make is that there are far too many people out there who think that the lightest touch is the only acceptable level of force.  I disagree. I think that lightest touch is what we should be aiming to achieve but that harder hits are perfectly acceptable and therefore don't think that whining about them is appropriate.

Now before I get jumped on, I also agree that people who hit too hard should be made aware of it every time they do. I don't think anyone should 'roll over' when this happens. But if you get hit solidly enough so that you might get a bruise out of it, that's within acceptable levels, so don't make a big deal out of it.

The question is where is the line between what is an acceptable amount of force and too much?  I personally feel that bruising is part of the game.

Also, fighters need to accept responsibility for the pain they inflict on themselves.  People like Guillemin who charge in are more likely to get hit hard.  If this is your style (right or wrong) you have to accept that you're going to take hard hits when you throw yourselves on other peoples points.

That's the 'combat' sport side of the equation.  The other side is the 'spectator' sport.

We've talked before about how hard it is for spectators to follow rapier bouts.  Well one thing that does stand out in our bouts is when someone does overreact to a solid hit.  When enough people are doing it, it reflects on rapier in general and we all get cast with the 'wire-weenie' stereotype. 

Raoul