Kelly: you're talking apples and oranges here. What you're referring to is a maneuver by a person (or group) that's set up quite a ways in advance of a charging column, giving that charging column plenty of time to avoid running over the shields. What I'm referring to is dropping to your knees less than 10 feet from the person that's chasing you and angling your shield back while they plow uncontrollably over it and are subsequently tripped up.
One is good strategy, the other is tacky tactics. See the difference? Yes, we all saw it happen in Braveheart with the last-minute spears in front of the cavalry charge, and it worked, but the Scots WANTED to send their enemies home in a box, and we don't.
JB
kelly powell wrote:So it's a crappy trick? I believe it is the equivalent of posting up....have you ever watched how romans with scutums fence with each other?( Can find it on the roman army talk website)....the shield is grounded and they angle it....So basically, a correct use of the scutum that does not violate any sca rules is "a crappy little trick"?...I even stated that it would only work if the person was charging too fast, and by implication not using correct footwork. Hell I wasn't even saying it was a good trick,,,,I gues it is a crappy trick to pull on somebodies hafted weapon if they over extended or to hook a shield,pull, then release to mess with the shieldmans balance? A "crappy trick", would be to step on the foot of the charging opponet and the push him off at an angle...that is tripping and that is knowingly doing a move that could hurt someone......using somebodies momentum against them and not hindering or trapping a joint or limb as they fall is not knavish(in my opinion, which apparently is not worth squat) Trevor: You did not answer my question. How is it knavish to use that maneuver when we teach it as part of OUR army doctrine? I've seen one of our generals command the front line to ground and angle shields when we were being charged on a bridge(it was a war maneuver up in nebraska)....Maybe a misunderstood the tone of what you were saying...as well a few other posters....If that is so, I apologize for being over defensive to you and the others. Come down to our tuesday practice and I'll buy you a free state beer and some onion rings afterwords. Or if you know sir Hassan,get a hold of him and try to make it to his place this sunday afternoon....Were having leg o lamb and going to do some fighting to help work up a appetite....I'm sure you would be more then welcomed.
Yah, I see your point....I'm saying it is a very passive move that has minimal impact and very low chance of twisting anybody's joints...Hell, it is a kiss on the cheek compared to what goes for the status quot at estrella war ....I probably wouldn't use it at gulf wars cuz it's a very civilized war....I'd use it at lillies war on my friends because we would get a giggle out of it...same goes if I was against Ansteorrans who know me or people from house wolf star(not to sure about the last.....Haven't seen who is fighting now and I don't know any of the cubs)...anyway I guess I'm saying it would only be a crappy tactic in relation to the event and who your opponent is....I just took some umbrage at the "knave" comment.
Donal Mac Ruiseart wrote:My technique is (if the closing shot doesn't score) to step back a little (several steps) while shifting the spear shaft to vertical with the point downward.
Then I stop and do a sticky-shoulder on his shield (my right shoulder against a right-hander, left shoulder against a lefty.).
this enables me to parry the blows of most swordsmen (who for some reason tend to continue swinging from their "on" side without crossing to the "off" side) and when the moment is right, to lift the point to counterstrike at their body or leg.
The spear has to be point down in order to do this. If you go point-up, you have no counteroffensive and must simply hope that one of your comrades will rescue you.
Well, as I said, this weekend I got together with a bunch of guys, and more than any other, I practiced this move. I wasn't able to kill the shield in any of my attempts, but I was never killed either. Made him think twice about rushing me too.
Worked on many of the other sugestions as well. I upped my aggression, even charged them a few times. (That surprised them.) All in all, your advice has really payed off in my spear work.....and I thank each and every one of you.
