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XI. Shield weapon against great weapon.
The strategy I prefer when fighting with a shield weapon against a great weapon is almost precisely the strategy I use when fighting great weapon against great weapon. This strategy is to engage the weapon, control it while you move in, and fight inside.
There are some differences, however.
- If their point is towards you
(Please see the section on Moving In, under Strategy)
- After you have caused the point to move out of line, move in with the center of your shield moving towards their upper hand. Once it reaches the upper hand, keep it there.
This denies your opponent access to the center attack line, thereby preventing their point from getting into position for a thrust, and keeping your shield between their blade and you.
- Don’t move in so that your shield shoulder is pressed against your shield, while you press your shield against their weapon. This allows your opponent to use the inside defense, described above. Keep your shield extended, away from your body, with your arm acting as a spring to maintain the appropriate tension.
- Don’t “square up”. Keep your shoulders at a right angle to your shield, and hold your sword back as far as possible. This will provide you with angles for attack, and the power to use them. It also allows you to avoid becoming the victim of an arm throw.
- It is possible to open up targets by playing a version of sticky hands with your shield against their weapon. If they over-react to a push in one direction, it will open up a target for your sword when they push back.
- If their weapon is up or back
(Please see the section on Moving In, under Strategy)
- Strike toward their weapon to engage it using a “moving block”, (please see below) in which you move your blade forward into a blocking position, which would intersect their most likely angle of attack.
- Combine this with either a slide step, or a full stride with your back foot, depending on the range. In either case, it is very necessary that the sword move before your foot moves.
- It is not necessary to be in range before you initiate the attack. If the ending point of your strike is within a foot of your target, your attack will most likely draw a response from your opponent. Be careful if your opponent has good agility, and is known for playing a “range” game. In this case, your strike should be closer.
- Once the blade impacts their weapon, replace it quickly with the center of your shield, and proceed as above.
If possible, keep a pressure on their weapon with your sword until you can “scrape off” your sword with your own shield. This avoids a lapse of control that might allow your opponent enough time to free their weapon for an attack.
- Slide-Step and Stride Step
In either case, your sword should be in front of you before your body or foot moves. Failure to do this results in what I call the “Rocky Balboa Style” – leading with your face.
- In the case of the slide step, lift your front foot when the transfer of weight caused by swinging the blade starts to move your weight to the front foot.
- In the case of the stride step, allow your back foot to be pulled off of the ground and into a stride when the transfer of weight caused by swinging the blade starts to move your weight to the front foot. Please note that the swing associated with the stride step is always a “moving block.” You swing the blade into position by quickly rotating your body. Once the blade is in the proper orientation, its forward movement is caused by your body moving forward. Do not swing past that point, or you risk clearing an attack line for your opponent.
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