I did not expect so many to actually reply.
On the matter of "realism" neither LARP or the other thing i do not bother spelling, due to my bad spelling skills, are very realistic in any way.
The thing we do at the LARP i am at, is trying to give some kids a feel of an adventure. Like a hard videogame, and us bigger guys, can have a liltle fun bashing each other to bits.
Best thing about it, is when you fight people you actually like outside the game, becouse then you can do all sorts of stuff, like making awsome killing blows or nice death scenes. Useually, you just throw a little sign at the heart or throat, and the game is on for epic ass-whooping.
the downside however, is that some people ofc cheat with the healthpoints, there is no way of preventing that, but if you discover that someone is cheating, then just hit him harder. useually solves the issue!
Oh, and it is the only hobby, where you can beat kids, while they love you for it!
Another matter, about technique. There is some technique when you do LARP, but it is mostly team based and 1 hitpoint based. as soon as you are around 10 hitpoints, it becomes more a brawl or a gang up on that guy to make sure he dies.
The most important thing is footwork. the most common technique in LARP is baiting with your leg, and then hitting them on the swordarm when they go for it. Oh, and always try to move AFTER you start your swing. not before, else you will give away your moves. You can see that in the Free-For-All mixed battle when i am fighting the black elf with the big shield. he moves before he swings and i instantly see what he is going to do, so i hit him hard. he scrathed my leg a bit after i hit him, but it was not a clean hit.
