Can you Throw a Sword in Combat?

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[@briane5545]

A buddy of mine once threw a greatsword, it embedded halfway through a door... So, answer is, depends on who you are + how good you are at throwing things

[@SellswordArts]

It's still a big gamble. If you miss you are SOL

[@xxmattopsxx3931]

@@SellswordArts unless you have ANOTHER SWORD!!! Or like a blunt object.

[@ferociousmaliciousghost]

​@@xxmattopsxx3931It comes back to the "End them rightly" meme.

[@TheNobody-qg6vq]

Sounds fake. What type of door

[@briane5545]

​@@TheNobody-qg6vq It was a cheap less than plywood apartment bedroom door.

[@aynonymos]

Throwing your sword is one of the few times reverse grip is useful.

[@SellswordArts]

We'll wr actually used archers guard which wasn't really reverse grip. It has more accuracy

[@Rurouni_Seiryu]

A buddy of mine figured how to throw a longsword from a half-sword grip, and I modified it to where it can be thrown from pflug. I've had so much success with it that my instructor said I have to pay with pushups in order to use it.

[@oscaranderson5719]

ahh, compromise 😂

[@jocamar15]

Godinho has a chapter where he suggests throwing your sword at the enemy if you know you're at a disadvantage or in risk of being disarmed, and then run away. He does do it differently, he just suggests holding the sword nails down (we're talking sidesword/rapier here) and then twisting your arm nails up as you throw it, and says something like "try it with a blunt against a wall to see how much power it can have".

[@ZenGymBunny]

the only possible way I can think for this working is if you know you're the better grappler, so you throw the sword to force a reaction that lets you close distance.

[@emilspegel9677]

This is a good point to take into account when you deal with any thrown weapon actually. Think we fixate to much on "will this action kill" an opponent, rather than form part of a given tactic. Relate this much to discussions on throwing knives, where it may be true that a thrown knife may rarely kill a person. But is this the actual purpose of throwing the knife in a fight, or is it to intimidate or otherwise debilitate an enemy, either in attack or defense. Say you go in and start an engagement with a knife toss, it is something the opponent has to react to or at least by hit by a sharp, heavy object. If said knife is able to damage him great, if not it has served as a distraction.

[@aaronaxel4760]

We know for sure that you CAN throw a sword. We also know for sure that people DID throw swords. Fiore has specific techniques devoted to defending against thrown swords. The matter of how effective it was is up for experimentation.

[@manueltoloza6007]

Indeed, Its all about context i think, in real life, when your life is on the line, and you and your more skilled oponent are wearing regular clothes, if youre desperate enough and saw the chance to throw it i think it could be worth it, sure the guys rushed each other pretty fast, but they were expecting a throw, and theyre wearing protection, and wielding padded sticks. Dunno about you but if im wearing a thin garment and im facing a threatening dude with a long sharp blade im keeping my distance and going for a hand/arm snipe not itching to rush him. And even if the throw doesnt kill him, could hit his hand, lop off a finger or get stuck on his knee cap, wherever it sticks its gonna hurt like a mf and may be give ya the chance to either rush in with a dagger, or run away.

[@Gabriel-vz9hq]

I definitely find it funny but think my favorite example of this comes from Hundt. That manual is, if I’m remembering correctly, more a self defense system than a dueling system. So his whole thing is that if it’s between your sword and your life, choose your life and chuck the sword. He also has my favorite explanation of essentially “Hey look over there” and stabbing people in the back.

[@jocamar15]

Yeah, I love his trick where he's like "I'll fight one of you but not both!" and then stab the guy when he turns around to see who else is there.

[@RealZeratul]

Especially the long-range tests might be a bit biased against the throws by using the foam trainers. Their weight is ok, but their volume and surface will cause their drag to be fairly different. In sparring it won't matter much, but I imagine the cinematic 10m+ throw into somebody's back might actually work (just don't miss 😂).

[@spuriusscapula6481]

Even though it absolutely is not a great move, i do feel the need to point out that the parrying would be harder if you werent aware it was going to be a throw (and why would you, your opponent would be mad to do it)

[@NazarZh]

All this space and you chose a place in front of the mirror. Geniuses

[@BLET_55artem55]

That's part of the fun

[@somerando1073]

I think best use would be if your opponent decides to run away, you chuck it at their back, because they can't parry like that and they won't be expecting a hit when you are still 10' behind them.

[@BMO_Creative]

Just need a quiver of swords to throw! LOL

[@thekenyonsquad5672]

14:50 is probably the reason one person was hit more often in the "can you block it?" section then the other.

[@ethanemerson4862]

From what I’ve seen, throwing the sword like a spear seemed to work. But how would you get in the appropriate position to do that? Mordschlag!

[@CorporateZombi]

@@ethanemerson4862 Yes this feels like throwing a spear or javelin.

[@seanevans6020]

If you miss, you have just given up a weapon. Seems like way too much of a gamble, and you lose all the power that comes from good structure, edge/point alignment, and the moment to moment control. Once you let go, you are committed. Like a jump attack, this seems like a very bad idea.

[@jonathancastillo6433]

Seems better in armored combat. Throw it hard so the opponent has to deal with/ process it. Then rush in for a grapple while they reset for nuetral. From there it’s all about balance and dagger game

[@zackari]

Sure you can throw a sword but only once!

[@emilspegel9677]

@@zackari Can be said of any weapon... plus the sword doesnt magically vanish after

[@zachariahswanson4936]

A question I've had for a while is can a ribbon, or belt act as a whip that could disarm someone?

[@thod-thod]

Depends on the ribbon/belt and depends if the weapon is blunt

[@radaro.9682]

If you can land a blow on their hand it really depends on are you willing to wear a buckle that's heavy enough to basically be a flail on a leather thong. But if you can try to disarm with a belt you're giving up a lot of other opportunities. It's much less "does it work" and more "do other things work easier and more often". If all you have is a belt it's probably better to run.

[@brokenursa9986]

I can see this being vaguely viable if you're using two swords and you throw your offhand sword as you close for an attack, but that's a niche and specific application, and still pretty risky since, even if you can still defend yourself, you've just cut your defensive options in half.

[@flamesword3397]

Gonna be real, if i have a sword and dagger, unless its cramped, im gonna throw the dagger before i consider throwing my sword

[@emilspegel9677]

@@flamesword3397 The sword benefits from being heavier, ergo more power

[@Aaa-vp6ug]

@@emilspegel9677most of the advantage is the reach and leverage (which also means more power, but to a more significant degree due to also meaning less force required for more speed)

[@emilspegel9677]

@@Aaa-vp6ug To start with adding to the previous statement, everything depends on situation, so what you throw if you throw anything at all depends on that. This is what tactics of weapons use is, you utilize a tool to do a job. In response to this reply I think you misinterpret things to some extent, since in this instance superior mass is a distinct advantage in precisely the same way a heavier javelin will pack more punch than a lighter dart. There is a simple limit to how fast you can throw an object and neither the knife or sword should move that much significantly faster than the other to add meaningfully in terms of kinetic energy applied, but a sword will be ranging between double to four times the weight of an average large knife or dagger

[@Aaa-vp6ug]

@@emilspegel9677 ah okay, thanks

[@skeleleleton]

I wanna see a full spin, like over the shoulder yeet at something that actually sticks. IF you manage to actually stick the target that would 100% be a strong hit. The weight mixed with the rotation would have some force

[@BLET_55artem55]

Ah yes, the spinning sword throw! It can only be reinforced with JUMP REVERSE GRIP

[@jedironin380]

YES!!

[@pranavghantasala6808]

Conclusion: _Just_ feasible enough to be believable in an anime

[@manueltoloza6007]

Or if youre a poorly trained squire scared shitless after his knight just got trounced by a far more skilled fighter and your head is next in the chopping block. Just cause it dont seem worth it in modern contexts, doesnt mean its useless, was included in fight manuals after all

[@SuperLemonfish]

Seems much more effective if the defender isnt already primed to expect it. Also, i bet throwing it in a rotating motion would be effective too. Like similar to a throwing axe. Still though, id say throw some rocks or throwing knives or something else first, before throwing your primary weapon.

[@moonhaze5184]

I did it once against a spear. I knew I would not likely be able to approach safely anyways, since the person was really good - so the thought crossed my mind and I concluded: "Lmao, that would be at least fun/silly if nothing else - why not give it a try?". Managed to hit their head, which was good enough distraction to get to grappling distance - not too bad!

[@bradleybailey8893]

I saw a video on this a while back and the KZbinr made a good point. He came to the conclusion that one of the few times throwing a sword would be useful was if you were on the battlefield and you happened to pick up an extra sword off of a body and toss it at an unexpecting opponent while obviously maintaining your own sword or the only other advantage he saw was if an Archer or crossbowman were aiming at, you, throwing your sword to distract them while you charge in with your dagger and shield

[@daswordofgork9823]

Steaphen Fick pulled it off in Battle of the Nations.

[@fransthefox9682]

A friend of mine was sparring with his instructor. He used a polearm, then threw said polearm at the instructor. It surpised him and threw him off guard, which allowed my friend to rush in with his secondary weapon and end it.

[@IlBarbafluff]

I do use sword throwing in sparring from time to time, usually from the lower guards. My observations: - it has a fairly good success rate, I'd say higher than 80% - I have to set it up properly, since I don't want to throw the sword quickly as I don't want to injure people as I have no control over it once it left my hand. I'd say that without that the success rate would be even better. - The way I set it up is to stay with a low guard a bit outside distance when the opponent is on a von-tag-like guard. This doesn't work very well when the opponent is on long point like shown here. From there you try a bad thrust that goes short, to A) show the opponent you are definitely out of measure and B) make sure he knows you're out of measure and doesn't try to block it anyways. From there you switch the grip and do the exact same motion but this time you are throwing the sword to their belly.

[@ianmax4202]

throwing sword is a real thing in "Flos Duellatorum" you have guard for trowing your sword its called the archer guard (Posta Sagittaria) and you have a guard for defending against throwing sword the long tail guard (Posta Di Coda Longa)

[@aquach._2086]

To be honest , this technique, as a one-time technique worked most of the time when it is done in the sparring sections . People just wouldn't expect that would happen.

[@Coreofhell]

i think we also should take on the topic of how gloves decrase your wrists range of movement what could lead to decrased accuracy, or it just would be a bit harder to do it

[@Varim.Gaunniss]

Hey David, just one thought at 13:40 - surprisingly there are many wrestling techniques you actually could use, if your opponent expects you to just start running away after throwing a sword... that's where you COULD actually get him, charging at him, trying to disarm and takedown - that's just my random thought, but, you know, ringen also exists :)

[@gadlicht4627]

This is realistic scenario in that it could happen and probably did, but not common. I could see this if there was stuff lying around battlefield and you had all your gear, so you picked up sword your not using and throw it (you would have to have time to grab it which may not happen in many cases). Another case maybe throw if your trying to save comrade from distance. I also wonder how well spinning sword would do bc it may stick in less as spinning, but hit with more concussive force from spin and may bounce off and hit others. Would be cool to try all of this including picking up weapon in battlefield throw it and then draw yours compared to running just straight at opponent

[@dragon12234]

Feels like it'd be most effective against when someone is running towards you. Harder to dodge or parry without messing up balance whilst sprinting, so even if you don't incapacitate them, it might slow them down a bit. Alternatively throw it as a distraction before rushing in with a knife. Though it'd probably be better to throw the knife then.

[@petrhruska377]

Bro, you look absolutely amazing in the thumbnail

[@nioru7443]

imagine throwing your sword to run away but the opponent just picks it back up and throws it right back

[@jedironin380]

"Only Porthos could come up with a new way to disarm himself." 😉

[@oscaranderson5719]

I’m relieved to see you guys are having trouble parrying, my buddy does this all the time and it always lands no matter how well I anticipate it 😂

[@thunderstrike101]

Besides the obvious skill issue, it can be done in combat as a distraction, then using a backup weapon or other way around, throw the backup and use the main. Here's a similar demonstration by Seki Sensei. How to Throw Your Wakizashi to Fight (Musashi Did It Too) *youtube gets annoying with links so here's the name of the video instead

[@ArifRWinandar]

Did you know ancient Romans perfected the art of throwing the sword? The way they did it, they carried several swords, made the hilt much longer than the blade, removed the guard to make the sword more aerodynamic, and made the blade very pointy as it was going to be used only for thrusting.

[@ilmagipesce]

I find this experiment really interesting but I wonder what will happen if your opponent doesn't know you're gonna throw your sword, like if every time in the "would it work in a fight" part, you spar with different people who don't expect that you're gonna throw your sword mid fight

[@zackari]

Someone must've watched the Witcher season 1 finally

[@siekensou77]

This is assuming the primary sword is your only weapon equipped. What if you have a secondary sword, a shield, dagger, etc. Something else to use, or something in your fighting space to utilize. Barrels, shelves, crates, tables, chairs.. when you toss you also flee or select a nearby object to replace your lost sword

[@PJDAltamirus0425]

Yeah, if you can afford a long sword you could afford other weapons. Knives, daggers, smaller swords. Another thing that HEMA kinda has a problem with, almost everyone has a knife, most people didn’t just have a sword to defend themselves with. Reminds me a video of a guy than did a grappling takedown during a longsword duel, in irl historical situation, the guy he was grappling y could just drawn his knife out and stabbed him several times

[@siekensou77]

@@PJDAltamirus0425 i was thinking if you had a shield as well, you could throw the sword and charge in. similarly with a knife on the sidebelt. i think of the thrown sword as "if it works it works" but not an action that is intended to work. then again, no strike should be intended to work without any resistance from the opponent anyways. distractions are just as viable. like tossing the pommel. then again, if you have a knife... what would be the differences between tossing the sword to use the knife vs tossing the knife to attack with the sword

[@renamamiya158]

They mentioned the dagger, the other person would still have a sword and thus you’d be at a disadvantage. Only having a shield would only be good for offence unless you’re gonna try striking them with it, it’s just not a good idea to lose your weapon.

[@PJDAltamirus0425]

@@renamamiya158 Depends, I would throw a dagger before throwing a sword but if you really good at closing distance and knife fighting, you could throw the sword, use the flinch time of your opponent trying to dodge or bat away a sword being thrown to close into your favorable range and stab them.

[@renamamiya158]

@@PJDAltamirus0425 Yes, it absolutely could work just like how they said in the video. But it’s a big gamble, if your opponent sees through it and just blocks the sword, they can easily do a follow up attack and stabs you before you’re too close.

[@jacksonroop5850]

I think it would be it viable technique against an opponent with some sort of pole arm that has more reach. Or possibly against an archer that is in close range

[@p.fish_63]

My thought would be if you have a dagger you throw the dagger so your not disarming your main wepon. Honeslty I see that technique as a little gimmicky but if utilized in a 2 wepon style particularly with a dagger deploying that technique could be effective if disguised with a flase attack from the dagger or a false throw, they anticipate the dagger so the sword catches them off guard mabye ,idk.

[@tonydanhs2371]

Pommel in the middle of the palm,2 fingers on the hilt.

[@theimperialfox112]

i think this could work really well as a distraction with a rapier and dagger or dual short swords you could throw the dagger or the other sword as a quick distraction and then go for a thrust I mean if I was fighting someone, and they threw one of their swords at me I would be shocked although swords are still melee weapons so it can only be so practical

[@AmazingMrMe123]

Can be done but almost never a reason to. I guess, maybe if the other guy starta running away and you cant be bothered to chase them down throwing your sword into their back could be good? Only if you arent under threat of other attackers, so edgecase of all edgecases. Also doesn't work if they run serpentine.

[@IneedCoffe43]

We now know what heavy swords are useful for: Dropping it on your enemies

[@robinmarks4771]

Would be curious to see if this technique helps mitigate the reach advantage polearms have over longsword. Something I've always wanted to try but haven't gotten around to. Y'all should try it for a future video. Cheers!

[@Onebie]

Well yes you can, but it is probably a risky move and you should do this more with a 2nd weapon, if you got one.

[@doyleintas9274]

According to historical sources, the sword throwing was only done when the opponent is running away.

[@emilspegel9677]

Isn't it kind of fully established that swords where thrown, as it is shown in several treatises. A typical cross-hilted sword with fly straight as it acts like a big dart, actually spinning in the air as it moves forward.

[@SellswordArts]

It's shown, but there are a lot of things shown in the manuscripts. A lot of times people wrote things down because they were novel. There's a whole section on scythe fighting, and there's no real evidence that that kind of thing ever really happened in any meaningful way. Definitely someone through their sword in a fight, but what we're trying to figure out here is how practical is it. What are the positives, what are the negatives.

[@emilspegel9677]

@@SellswordArts Can only make assumptions but its probably one of those things where it is another practical tool to add to ones arsenal, to employ in limited situations. Mean it is better to know how to throw your sword in an efficient manner if you have than not to. Think actually the scythe falls into a similar category, being this nebulous skill at arms that some people liked to know if they ever where caught in a combat situation and only had a scythe (perhaps not so unlikely in a time of roving robbers and the like). I mean many actually practical parts taught in modern martial arts are unlikely to ever come up for the average person if you are realistic...

[@lady_draguliana784]

I would think I would only throw my sword at a foe that is also threatened by an ally. it's an end-of-melee type of thing to me. I'm too far and tired to aid my ally normally, so might throw my sword to disrupt the foe for my ally to get the kill... 🤔

[@manueltoloza6007]

All good points but you gotta consider, even if you tried to make it unpredictable, you guys were still expecting a sword throw, i certainly dont when i sparr and prob most fencers dont either cause as you said its not very common at all, buuuut since it is in the fight manuals, it may have been worth learning, back in the day at least. I think it could catch a fighter off balance in a real life context scenario where you're just wearin regular clothes, probably being more defensive trynna survive and maybe less confident to close distance as fast as you would in a modern sparring match fully equipped with the main goal of scoring the first point 🤔

[@theimperialfox112]

BOB gets a huggy :)

[@VirtualMartialArt]

They should allow this in all weaponized combat martial arts

[@oscaranderson5719]

might be an issue for the spectators tho 😅

[@pranavghantasala6808]

If you land it, you win. If you don't, you're considered disarmed and lose. The ultimate final gambit

[@hoopsx2695]

I feel like throwing your sword should always be a last resort, if your on the ground, need to run away, ect

[@user-po7hc4jm8p]

Cool video! I have a question though: why didn't you try to throw a sword "vertically" like an axe? It likely would hurt and I can see how it can be thrown from certain guards without telegraphing it... I personally never have trained with swords, so take my suggestion with a grain of salt.

[@michaelpeters6659]

I think throwing this and following up with a dagger as stated in multiple manuals might be an effective technique however you could also end up with a dagger facing a sword… so high risk high reward?

[@seanheath4492]

Getting pummeled by the pommel.

[@samueltheblonde]

Yeah.... My thoughts are... when are you going to throw it? Whats the reason to throw your sword, other than the other perfectly viable options that you've trained with? You're losing your weapon for at most a 50/50 shot. Maybe if the person has a longer weapon? Like a spear or something? Or maybe a last-ditch effort if you feel you're going to lose?

[@jonotimm3022]

He ive done it in a spar landed clean too. Nobody expects the flying sword

[@LycaonsMemories]

yea , this was a strange one and i found it odd you did not try the "axe " throw. as with any throwing weapon, you do not throw your last weapon. so if you only have 1 , you keep it to use in close combat. or you have a second weapon. as for "when to throw" , most times the thrown sword is a distraction so you either run away or bulldoze the opponent (hopefully with a knife or secondary weapon) i also think you should of tried throwing a real sword to see if you could get it to stick as well.

[@MedResVampire]

Because a sword is a sidearm it's illogical to throw even if you only have one enemy left because it isn't very reliable even if you are experienced. A dagger would be a better thrown weapon here. That said If you throw the sword and go for a tackle it is oddly effective because it's two successive attacks. Works as a last ditch effort.

[@maceoryan-hess9235]

I always do this when I'm sparring with foam swords, and it never works

[@asa-punkatsouthvinland7145]

When using Fire's Archers guard are you adding spin by contracting your index finger on the guard? If not try doing so as the spin helps stabilize the sword in flight.

[@youssefayari388]

Try guts sword 😊

[@sinistersharkfish]

this technique is too deadly to use in sparring

[@jedironin380]

Yer doin' it wrong! You need to hold the sword by the grip, raise it overhead and slightly behind you, then fling it like a giant throwing knife so it rotates in the air as it flies toward the opponent such that it hits point first then rotates upward, slicing the opponent with grievous injury!

[@PT5-Shorts]

Skallgrim had a good video on this to

[@Randomname-yb7hs]

What about dual welding with swords while throwing one

[@markmatherne7322]

Can I do that nope not even close but Henry Cavill can😊

[@alexrobinet7576]

The stronger you are the better this works. We had to ban sword throwing in capture the flag fencing.

[@joshuascott3428]

After watching the whole video i have a question what if i wrote a character and what he does is he keeps his own sword but as he kills enemies he picks up their swords and uses them as weapons and throws them .

[@devoncrittenden4765]

You know what these videos remind me of? Well firstly I should say that these 2 seem like excellent sword technicians, the amount of knowledge they have is extremely impressive, but I feel like these videos miss the point, war and combat are unpredictable as someone who teaches mma some skills and techniques are useless for one fighter but the other can make their whole style around it, with this example I can’t think of anyone who would throw their weapon first without years of training to be accurate and having a plan or a second weapon of choice, I’m happy I watched the videos I think they nailed the mechanical components but very few of the tactical and strategic components

[@Gonza009]

😂that face😂

[@icarusswitkes6833]

What if you're sword and shield

[@MrSHADOWANGEL999]

If it works yes

[@KazanmaTheSilverWind]

I have a question Let's say one of your arms gets injured one day, and you're a Rapier/Saber fencer how does your gameplan change if you don't have that other arm for parrying thrusts & grappling?

[@neverseemstoAsh]

not much. those are both niche things that not everyone even practices, you'd still be fencing primarily with the sword.

[@KazanmaTheSilverWind]

@@neverseemstoAsh About what I expected tbh Does make me wonder if you'd focus more on trying to eliminte grappling as a potential threat, like not letting them move closer to you. A Sword's got a fair bit of range to do it with

[@neverseemstoAsh]

@@KazanmaTheSilverWind grappling is fairly easy to stop if you're well-trained. it's not really something that you actively avoid, it's more just something that doesn't happen if you're fencing normally. your hands have less range than your sword, so generally grappling only happens after certain specific mistakes or with certain specific short swords, like messer.

[@Varim.Gaunniss]

you actually listen to Electro? nice :D

[@nunyadayumbusiness591]

What's the "correct" situation to use your "archer's guard"?

[@randomnickify]

Half sword thrusting

[@nunyadayumbusiness591]

@@randomnickify Thanks.

[@randomnickify]

Wait... are you throwing into the mirror? Please tell me it's plastic not glass :D

[@GarldBonkdonk]

'Would it hurt?" kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3ylenmAfNCJmbc I dunno Marky? What do you think?