> >Interestingly a forearm strike is one of the scoring (ie.
> assumed to be
> >lethal) blows in Kendo as well, so there's a fair degree of
> agreement
> >between the eastern and western traditions in this area,
> which isn't that
> >surprising really - a sword's a sword for a'that.
>
>
> Yup, you're right. The SCA, by the way, doesn't allow
> forearm or shin hits - too easy, too quick. ;)
Forearm is quite hard to hit - small target, fast moving, and if it's in
range, it's because the other guy is probably already hitting *you*.
But the other reason for avoiding those areas in "mock" combat of any
sort is that they bruise very easily - all bone, no padding. Pulling the
blow enough to be safe is difficult.