Spear Drills for the Pell or hanging ball

FrauHirsch · Post by **FrauHirsch** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 10:53 pm

We set up a ball on an elastic string hanging from our deck and I've been hitting at it, chasing around. Definitely improves targeting. I have been doing some where I start by looking away and turn and hit, or try to hit without looking using only peripherals.

Then of course generally hitting at the pell at different ranges, just trying to get accuracy.

Any additional suggestions?

Nissan Maxima · Post by **Nissan Maxima** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 11:18 pm

It is easy to train yourself to poke too light with the swinging ball. Poking too light is yhe same as not poking. I put post its on a brick wall and move them around. I also have a heavy bag that wears a heater shield. The other thing is that in mellee peple are always fouling your spear and they are standing where you need to stand so I put stumps and tool boxes around the traniing area so that I get used to sub-optimal footing.

Milan H · Post by **Milan H** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 11:21 pm

If you have a closed visor helmet, do it with it on. Helps you learn to "feel" where everything is. If not, dont worry about it.

Dont forget your defense as you focus on targeting. You dont want to become target fixated, as that makes you bait for a polearmsmen prowling the line (my favorite pastime on the warfield) Adding another ball may help. You attack one, then "defend" against the other.

practice targetting with different lead hands and different grips. Even if you dont use them 90% of the time, it may be helpful with an offhand fighter, or in other specific situations.

Cheers!

Count Johnathan · Post by **Count Johnathan** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 11:25 pm

I echo Nissan on that. I didn't use post it notes but just practiced targeting individual bricks. It gets your arm and wrist used to the impact.

A mix of drills hitting a solid stationary object for power and a swinging ball for targeting moving objects are both good.

Hitting helmets on a shieldwall are normally somewhat stationary.

maxntropy · Post by **maxntropy** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 12:56 am

We've generally put four pieces of tape on a wall to mark-off head/arms/torso when we're doing spear training -- easy-on and easy-off and we can put as many on as we have folks doing training.

Our spear-training curriculum and drills can be found here.

Hope it proves of some usefulness.

Max Von Halstern

FrauHirsch · Post by **FrauHirsch** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 2:57 pm

Thanks!

I was using a pell with "shoulders" to practice harder hits, but will try some of the suggestions.

The ball poking does help with targeting and reactions, which is what I find I loose first.

Nothing will make me taller to gain more reach though :-)

hrolf · Post by **hrolf** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 3:05 pm

Nissan Maxima wrote:It is easy to train yourself to poke too light with the swinging ball.

medicine balls, maybe?

The other thing is that in mellee peple are always fouling your spear and they are standing where you need to stand so I put stumps and tool boxes around the traniing area so that I get used to sub-optimal footing.

this is bloody brilliant.