Corps a Corps question...

[I_luv_saber]

Not really ranting, but actually curious. I was at a tourney not too long ago, and was called on a corps a corps. I tried a lunge but kinda tripped, so it turned into a sort of flunge. I missed, he missed the counter, and I ran into him. BUT, as I was attempting to stop, he stopped moving backwards, letting me run into him. He may have even moved forward a little, I'm not sure. Any thoughts?

[Wizardly]

It's alwas had to tell if there's a little forward mvement. Bracing yourself for teh collision often looks like forward movement. It's better to rely on not running into the other person than to hope the other person moves forward. Besides, mutual CaC is double cardable.

There's nothing to say that the other person is obligated to get out of the way. It was probably a smart move on their part to let you run into them; it's still far better than the acting that goes on in basektball (one player breathes heavy on another and that player takes a dive).

If it wasn't CaC, it probably would have ended up being disorderly fencing, crossover steps, or some other penalty. Any yellow card you can walk away from with a goofy smile on your face and say "oops" to is a good one.

[Aestro]

regardless, it's corps a corps on you. Now, if he moved forward as well, it is ALSO called on him, and you're both carded. If he simply stopped moving backward...well...no fencer should ever feel obligated to move backward as far as the rules go. There's too many fencers charging at one another as is. Granted, I'm always more than happy to issue double-cards when two fencers run into each other, but yes anyone moving forward at the time of collision is at fault. Anyone not moving or moving backward is not.

[CarlKnoch]

To me the key here is that you admittedly tripped somewhat. Which means that you were the one who was not in control of your body as you ran into him. It would be obvious that without your trip you would have been able to turn or stop, so even though it was an accident, it would still be your card and not his. He's not required to move out of your way.

I have seen fencers who are being fleched move sideways into fleching fencer so they cut off the run by with their bodies, gaining the CaC that way! But it was obvious with lots of leaning toward the fleching fencer that they initiated the contact.

[I_luv_saber]

Thanks guys. I figured that if he stops it's my card, but if he moves forward it's both, I just wanted to double-check. I just HAD to lose my footing on the last point, didn't I?