Discharge (scale)
In the language of the student associations, abfuhr denotes the unilateral, premature termination of a student mensur . This form of fencing with sharp weapons is still practiced today with so-called "striking connections", whereby it is neither sport fencing nor duels, but is viewed by the student connections as a special form of character and personality development.
Process of a discharge
In a measure, two fencers ("timpani") face each other from two different connections, each side supported by a second . The length of such a measure (“part”) is normally defined by the number of “courses”, the duration of a course by the number of strokes to be struck. The discharge is now a one-sided termination of such a scale before the number of fixed courses has expired. This means that one of the two sides "explains" the discharge and "takes away" its kinky edge. As a rule, this is officially announced to the referee by the second of the discharging side - possibly with a statement of the reason. This means that this scale has ended prematurely for both timpani edges. In theory, this can already be the case after the first sharp blow in first gear.
Reasons for rejection
- The drum master receives an injury ("bloody", "blow"), which is so serious that the drum doctor who is always present is of the opinion that this game cannot be continued for medical reasons ("medical discharge", "discharge on Schmiss" ).
- The Paukant commits continuous violations of the fencing comment , whereby the Paukant shows in the opinion of his association that he does not have the required discipline. The decision about this fact is made by the relevant association in the Mensurconvent with democratic vote, often during the game in the breaks between the courses. As a rule, such a decision is preceded by protocol sanctions on the part of the referee, who has officially established these violations at the request of the counter-secondant. Or the timpanist by far does not show the technical skills that belong to a clean fencing style ("technique removal").
- During the gait, the timpanist shows a fear reaction, such as pulling the head away ("pinching", "squeaking", "kneeling") or stopping the continuous return of the blows ("remaining lying down"), which in the case of beating connections as a lack of morale and insufficient ability to Overcoming affects is interpreted. Such a decision to discharge is also made democratically by the Mensurconvent (“Moralabfuhr”). Many fraternity students consider making such a decision to be the most difficult task in their fraternity life. The "moral discharge" is also one of the most difficult aspects of the scale to understand for outsiders and regularly serves as a starting point for sharp criticism of student fencing. For the timpanist, this is also the greatest disgrace.
Consequences of a rebuff
A “medical discharge” has, by definition, medical consequences for the affected timpani. As a rule, the punctures received are treated medically by the doctor , usually by suturing the wounds. It can be assumed that more or less visible scars will remain for life. The medical discharge has no effect on the validity of the scale or the evaluation of the scale by the scale convention. However, a certain minimum number (often seven) of gears is usually required to count (“draw”) a game against the number of lengths to be fenced by a member, which cannot be reached in the event of premature termination. Even the counter-drumbeat, who caused the medical discharge through his fencing performance, is neither praised for it, nor declared a “winner” or celebrated in any other way. He too has to face the evaluation by his scale convention. The medical discharge of his counter-timpani does not matter.
Apart from the official evaluations of such events, there are of course unofficial, emotionally conditioned reactions, such as offended vanity or frustration of the person who was hit, or a feeling of triumph from the person who hit. It contradicts the principle of the scale to show or act out these reactions.
A "technology removal" or "morality removal" by the Mensurconvent have serious consequences for those concerned. According to the evaluation standards of striking connections, the Paukant has thrown a bad light on his connection, which a respected connection can not sit on. As a rule, the person concerned loses any positions he or she holds, i.e. board positions, and is in the "cleaning" process. This means that he has to "clean up" the performance shown by another batch that meets the requirements. Consistent “fencing aside”, ie repeated being led away for “technical” or “moral” reasons, can ultimately cost membership in the association.
The reasons for this procedure are based on the goals of track fencing. Striking connections see the scale as an educational tool for personality development. It is not only important to prepare in a disciplined and careful manner, but also to face the threatening situation calmly and to overcome fears. Striking connections are convinced that a member who takes these tasks seriously, can also survive a scale according to the criteria "technology" and "morality".
Striking connections are of the opinion that the development of these skills prepares the student for the demands of life in the best possible way and helps him to develop into a cornerstone of human society.
"Reject someone"
In the context of “giving someone a rebuff”, the term “discharge” from the student language of the 19th century entered the common language and is still used today in a figurative sense. The expression is used when a person refuses another request, but also when an athlete or a sports team wins a game or a fight against an opponent.
