Heater Shield vs Longsword - Sparring

[@SelfRighteousBasterd]

That was a good exchange, it's good to see the shield used more proactively. Shame more people don't appreciate the use of a heater shield. Best overall shield IMO. Good vid

[@FedericoMalagutti]

SelfRighteousBasterd thank you!

[@kurtschmidt5005]

The Viking era shield still looks the coolest though…

[@jacquesdespadas]

Having opponents with different weapons is always a fun exercise. Some thoughts from someone who started fighting with medieval weapons in 1990: Shieldman (Federico, right?): keep your shield arm tucked like a boxer's forward arm with your elbow close to your hip. You should be looking over the top of the shield with the top angled about 30 degrees. You defend your head with the front corner of your shield, ducking away from the incoming blow as needed. You should be looking past the right edge of your shield if your opponent strikes your left side. You only need to move the shield a couple inches at most to cover any part of yourself from mid calf to the top of your head. You defend your leg by squatting. Very occasionally, you will need to rotate the shield's bottom corner to protect farther back. You can step out to avoid leg blows, but stepping IN is generally better, because you want to close the distance anyway; this will automatically move the shield into a defensive position because you are engaging the higher forte and hilt of the longsword rather than the much lower tip. You can jab with your shield edge, but that should be intentional, such as when attempting to bind the opponent's weapon. Keep it quick and precise. Longswordsman: distance and time are your friends. Circle and be ready to retreat and reestablish range. You have no incentive to close distance, and a lot of incentive to let your opponent's shield arm get tired. If the shieldman does close the distance, use the shield against him. Grabbing it near the lower point and forcing it up is incredibly effective, but practice this VERY carefully, because it can be dangerous and you can easily injure your shieldman's shoulder. Possibly not legal in your system. Pushing on the shield, especially if it then entangles the sword arm, can also work. If he continues to punch his shield out as much as he did here, step left and punish him for it--especially effective if you are willing to reverse your hand positions (eg, fight left handed). A left handed stance is actually a good idea all around, because it helps you negate the benefits of the shield, especially when thrusting. Good footwork and a careful consideration of range, however, are key. For both: Just because there is a shield blocking your view does not mean the targets are gone. Visualize the targets that are hidden; you can still hit them if you remember to work around the shield. Slow motion work will help a lot with this. Fun video guys! Always looking forward to more. :)

[@FedericoMalagutti]

John Everett thank you for the extensive review ^_^

[@Sionnach1601]

Good points. Terrible action in this video. Slomo wasn't needed as it already was so terribly slow and pathetic. However in real-life YOUR advice seems to make great sense. 👍

[@archsys307]

@@Sionnach1601what have you gone through that made you such a miserably negative bastard? cheer up lad

[@MinSredMash]

How rare for a HEMA video to have such satisfying *clang* noises! Almost like you dubbed it with the most pleasing sound effects.

[@FedericoMalagutti]

It's all natural stuff! Ahah ;-)

[@michaelskinner6531]

I'm happy to be subscribed to your channel. You deliver an awesome amount of solo drills that I dont see anywhere else. Especially since my country hasn't gotten its shit together during COVID

[@FedericoMalagutti]

Thank you very much Michael!

[@jasonjames9836]

Always enjoy your sparring videos. Would love commentary by either you or your opponent during some of the exchanges about what you were thinking and trying to do.

[@FedericoMalagutti]

Jason James I will think about doing a video like this in the future! Thanks

[@MartinGreywolf]

Well, I feel validated. I started to put together a heather shield fighting system based mostly on the early bolognese rotella, and this looks very similar to what I came up with. Some thoughts: Man, it definitely sucks to be the longsword guy. Without armor being present, it's a definite disadvantage. Speaking of, heather shield without armor would be a weird setup to see historically, that shield is exclusively a battlefield weapon, and even trials by combat usually specify that if it is to happen according to German custom, it is to be with round shields (strapped or centregrip, the charters don't say). That definitely changes things, because stuff like a slice across the neck or light hits will be stopped or mitigated by even a gambeson - let alone if it is paired with a mail coif - and helmets will be present as well. It's certainly something to think about. As for shield technique, I'm really happy to finally see the active use of it, people have held it passively in front of them for far too long. Longsword, well, my first word of advice would be to use the high hand positions sparingly, they tend to not work as well against shield as they do against longswords - it is pretty easy for the shield to press against your hilt a lot of the time. Don't leave them out entirely, though - a good way to think about it is to thinks as if you were going against someone who really, really likes to grapple. Second advice, use unterhau/sotto more often, try to undercut his shield - heather shields are especially vulnerable to this when compared to round or kite shields. Feint high - cut low is a time-honored tradition in shielded fights. As for fighting lefty for the longsword, it sounds good, but doesn't work all that well. Not only are you not used to it, the shield guy will adapt to it, and you leave yourself open to a nasty case of edge of the shield to the face.

[@neptun8450]

Thanks for this video. It seems, if you handeling a longsword against someone with shield and sword, you would be better off keeping your distance and use the longer range of the longsword for your advantage. This way you can strike at your opponent, without giving him the opportunity to strike at you. It's just a matter of keeping the right distance...

[@yeolsaltyswordsmen8238]

Thank you for posting this video. I always get excited when i see you have posted another arming sword video. All the ones you have done so far are excellent!

[@FedericoMalagutti]

koester joshua thank you!

[@Cosmefulanito2812]

This really shows the superiority of the shield + shorst sword. Cool video man

[@lps8966]

once losing the distance, shield and single hand sword has absolute control

[@Vindrows]

Ho scoperto da pochissimo il tuo canale, per caso, e da allora mi ci ritrovo molto spesso nei momenti di pausa per guardare qualcosa. La scherma storica era uno dei grandi sogni del me bambino, ed il solo vederti praticare mi fa tornare indietro nel tempo, placando un po' questo mio desiderio represso.

[@FedericoMalagutti]

Sono contento che ti piaccia! Grazie mille per i complimenti! Comunque non è mai troppo tardi per cominciare ;-)

[@Vindrows]

@@FedericoMalagutti Dato anagrafico a parte, per realtà così di nicchia il non vivere in una grande città purtroppo ti preclude qualsivoglia corso o accademia. Ed è per questo che i complimenti nei tuoi confronti sono meritati, non hai niente di che ringraziare.

[@samblack5313]

Cool to watch. I’ll take the shield and 1h every day of the week, looks like a really fun fight style.

[@kurtschmidt5005]

I really like the slow mode so you can see better where you or your opponent hit

[@riderofthemark6661]

Amazing video!

[@aragmarverilian8238]

I am writing the end chapter of my newest book and did a lot of extra research to make it enjoyable. Thank you for that video!

[@FedericoMalagutti]

You are welcome!

[@anton.chigrinetc.96]

Thank you very much for showing this experience. I really needed to see an idea of what it at least should look like. Yes, I am saying it almost a year since this video was uploaded, but hey, that's what makes it good, right?

[@NL-Chaos]

Your videos are so awesome explaining everything you got my sub and i hope you grow fast because you deserve it.

[@FedericoMalagutti]

Thank you!!

[@republicaanimecana594]

Good one bro.

[@d3us3xmach1na5]

I like the dynamic that plate armor brings to the exchanges of the era. It makes the shield relatively obsolete. By the late 1400s only civilians really still equipped them. Still, the technique using a shield is very cool to watch.

[@mrp4trick477]

i dont know why tho tbh u can never have to much defense i guess and most of the time a fight between 2 knights would be more like wrestling anyway so the sword was just prestige maybe back then

[@mikeumm]

This is just me spitballing... but I feel like a slightly more vertical grip to the shield would allow you to have more surface area against you arm. Which I would think would help keep it from flopping around so much when struck.

[@repeat_defender]

Great stuff! Epic double kill, lol.

[@FedericoMalagutti]

bird bones lolol

[@emrealtun8415]

hi Federico A video that I really want is great :) , but is it useless to confuse the opponent's head by making more verfliegen or rinde techniques with a long sword ?

[@FedericoMalagutti]

EMRE ALTUN sorry I’ve not understood your question!

[@ben6089]

I wish there were open competitions where people could use different weapons like this (within reason)

[@RobCattivelli]

Great Vid, Man! I'm just wondering if different strategic attitude could improve the work of the Longsword guy... I feel he loses many exchanges searching to enter in the short distance

[@FogmanS2N]

True, I was still figuring out wtf I should do in that matchup :'D

[@jimmynicolas4602]

J'aime beaucoup cette écu.....😁

[@secutorprimus]

What are your main sources for shield combat? Are you using I.33 inspired techniques?

[@FedericoMalagutti]

I mixed some I.33 with some Fiore one handed sword actions, the rest is my personal way of fighting. Some movements (like the leg void, which here is only partially right sometimes) are my natural Longsword conditioned movement which I can't simply avoid doing.

[@DarthCody700]

I see what swords you were using in the description, but where is the shield from?

[@tonyoik1012]

Kinda 4 years too late, but this is a perfect example on what NOT to do with a longsword against the shield. The dude had the reach advantage and instead of waiting patiently or baiting a reaction, he charged in hoping to bypass a large chunk of wood and a sword. I'm guessing that he has gotten better now, but yeah, his decision making was not good.

[@forickgrimaldus8301]

Basically this is South Paw vs Orthadox in boxing. The Longsword is the SouthPaw trying to out manuver and out range the Orthadox combatant. (basically out boxing or in this case out fencing the opponent) The Sword and Shield is Orthadox, he can close the distance and be aggressive as he has a shield. (basically relying on aggression and close range attacks)

[@samblack5313]

Boxers have a right and a left hand, regardless of stance. Being a southpaw doesn’t make you a more technical fighter… being a more technical fighter makes you a more technical fighter. I’m 100% certain Floyd is more technical than Manny, and that Manny hits harder than Floyd. Floyd = orthodox Manny = southpaw

[@larrybrowser8286]

This really fun to watch. I would definitely like to see a good vr game for sparring but the tech is still far away from simulating this kind of experience.

[@giovanniricco988]

the shield used like buckler is not that helpful. Try to keep it closer to your body, the opponent will not target where you are protected and you can use your one hand sword to protect the other parts of the body. Once closer you get the advantage of a shorter weapon and then find an openening, but this is already told by others. If you want to use the shield actively just wait the right time then point to opponent grip and run to him pushing it back with the centre of the shield, it will make the longsword less dangerous for you, then enjoy your short weapon hitting him by thrust.

[@emredincer2620]

if shield guy close his distance while blocking, he will got a huge advantage. And also shield could use more effectively, both defensive and agressive.

[@TimmacTR]

Would you say the result is S&S is definitely stronger than longsword in 1v1?

[@FedericoMalagutti]

Well to do a proper comparison I should fight at least 3 or 4 opponents while switching weapons, because experience level and preparation of both fighters are the main difference. I personally prefer the Longsword for a variety of motivations, but with equal experienced fighters probably SeS shield has an edge.

[@venkayoung2987]

I personally think in 1v1 situation, S&S is superior. Because S&S have two weapons to attack and defend. The advantage of longsword is reach and agility, but it requires more skill to bypass the defense from shield.

[@sonneck12]

in my case i prefere larger shields and different shapes these also makes a difference in use and effectiveness. with a war door u could ram your opponent while hiding behind it bit it makes u slow . also there are many versions of shield that have different grips like the kite u could wear it like the shield in the video but also horizontal which is the way i prefere it

[@saltysocks1074]

​@@FedericoMalagutti While I know this is a pretty old comment thread... Do you think a false edge cut along the edge of the shield could get past hit the man behind?

[@437cosimo]

Sword must control longsword THEN take with shield. You also must let the longsword start their attack. Shield cannot push forward away from the center because that gives the longsword a lane of attack. Sword and shield person needs better control of his footwork. Still fun to watch.

[@FedericoMalagutti]

I wasn’t able to parry only with the sword due to the huge difference in leverage. It was also my first sparring using this set of weapons against longsword.

[@ColossalSwordFormAndTechnique]

Use taekwondo and muay thai and leg slashes and feints and jump kicks and tackles. Simple. Gotta use martial arts blunt full impacts against shieldman. Ghost of Tsushima, and you are wearing backplate and leg armor. Safer.

[@MrFiremagnet]

He should have just press L2 with appropriate timing

[@maximilianpierce5115]

if this was two knights with armor none of those glancing blows with the longsword would have done anything, a shield and mace or spike hammer seems the best arms for medieval fighting

[@Demons_of_the_night]

Very good 👍👍👍👍

[@gorbalsboy]

Just watched a vid by Dequitem, Profight duels showing the same weapons, my god the difference in quality between you (genuine martial artist) and they(untrained thuggish twats) is enormous, you are years ahead of many of these so called hema experts(and I include some of the well known ones)

[@zakarydugas423]

I've been trying so hard to keep track of the point but i didn't suceed good video though. I got 9 to 8 for shield guy

[@Doolbo]

Why does that building have fake windows?

[@ridingwithriggs4228]

This shit is the coolest

[@EbefrenRevo]

That shield is REALLY small

[@ortwinvomschildberg4717]

That is a late medieval shield...times when people wore plate armour...shields from the 11/12th cent. were bigger

[@FedericoMalagutti]

Ebefren Revo I’m also 1.9 meters tall, to be fair!

[@GV_Spain]

Frederico, great video! very interesting. Regarding the size of the shields, what size is the one you use?

[@吴将军-l2y]

😂the red black attack charge so he cant hurt blue corner🤣

[@cyruscvz4680]

the longsword is lefti

[@mohammadzakirhusaain]

Vikings shield is best for offense and defense.

[@irubberyouglueonethousand5384]

Keep in mind you guys, this video doesn't technically "prove" or "disprove" anything except reveal that the two-handed long sword user might need more practice fighting opponents who are carrying a shield 🙂

[@ben6089]

To me it proves it's a good idea to try take out the shieldsman's legs

[@nyaruko-do2ok]

Shield guy seems way too slow. And doesn't coordinate defence and attack well

[@FedericoMalagutti]

Timothy Dahl he probably is not really experienced in that kind of weapon!

[@jedi77palmer]

@@FedericoMalagutti haha

[@jeffbrown754]

This is making my brain hurt. The heater guy doesn't understand how to use a heater to block with. He also doesn't have very much skill in using a sword with one hand. 😢

[@FedericoMalagutti]

Shame on him!

[@fencerguy279]

Hmmm I'd like to see how changing the grip on the heater shield to something like this pin.it/3r3ooaR would change the fights...

[@FedericoMalagutti]

Sadly I only have one set of straps on this and I can use only this way ;-)

[@lacabravoladora692]

the guy with the shield is using it very shittily

[@FedericoMalagutti]

Yeah he is crap! Well said bro