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<blockquote data-quote="Dannyalcatraz" data-source="post: 3967615" data-attributes="member: 19675">More training than most would expect, though- you don't want to merely interpose the shield into the arc of the incoming weapon blow.&nbsp; If you do, you could get in serious trouble.Taking a blow directly:1) Against a piercing weapon like the pilum, your shield gets pierced and you have to drop the shield...assuming the spear didn't also pierce your arm or torso.2) Against a weapon like an axe, you'd run the risk of the axe actually biting into the shield and cleaving it...with similar results to the pilum attack above, or merely making the shield into a useless mess.3) Against something like a mace, flail or maul, you'd basically be allowing the force of the blow to transmit directly into your arm or body (softened by whatever padding you have)- and hydrostatic shock can be devastating- potentially even lethal.&nbsp; If your arm goes numb your defense is open. If the force of the blow compresses your ribcage enough, you could experience arythmia resulting in unconsciousness or death.The trick to avoiding the scenarios above is learning to deflect the weapon with the shield, not merely absorbing the blow.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Dannyalcatraz, post: 3967615, member: 19675"] More training than most would expect, though- you don't want to merely interpose the shield into the arc of the incoming weapon blow. If you do, you could get in serious trouble. Taking a blow directly: 1) Against a piercing weapon like the pilum, your shield gets pierced and you have to drop the shield...assuming the spear didn't also pierce your arm or torso. 2) Against a weapon like an axe, you'd run the risk of the axe actually biting into the shield and cleaving it...with similar results to the pilum attack above, or merely making the shield into a useless mess. 3) Against something like a mace, flail or maul, you'd basically be allowing the force of the blow to transmit directly into your arm or body (softened by whatever padding you have)- and hydrostatic shock can be devastating- potentially even lethal. If your arm goes numb your defense is open. If the force of the blow compresses your ribcage enough, you could experience arythmia resulting in unconsciousness or death. The trick to avoiding the scenarios above is learning to [I]deflect[/I] the weapon with the shield, not merely absorbing the blow. [/QUOTE]

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