Melees: 2 on 2 and 2 on 1

[bushido_man96]

Me and my buddies fought today, and started out with 2 on 2 melees, using different weapons combinations. Very interesting, trying to work together against the opponents. I was trying to be a shield for my poleaxe wielding buddy, and it was fun.

Then, after one of our friends had to leave, we did some 2 on 1, rotating who was by themselves each time. I have learned quite a bit today, and we are going to do this more often in the future.

Wanted to throw this out....comments welcome! I will give some commentary if asked!

[parkerlineage]

What's your weapon of choice for a 2 on 2? A 2 on 1 as one of the two? A 2 on 1 as the one?

We've done this open hand before, and I certainly learned a lot. In my experience, being long armed and legged, and rather fast, I spent my time in the front, darting back and forth to keep the other team at bay while my friend singled one out, then we'd double team for a second after I fought off one of them (if that makes sense).

As the one, I actually fared rather well, using a lot more acrobatic maneuvers (effectively) than usual, and waaaaaaay more than anybody else in my class used.

What was your experience like?

[bushido_man96]

For 2 on 2, I was using battle axe and shield, and my partner would stand behind and to my side and use a polearm. It worked well, until I would take after someone, and leave my buddy without a shield!

For 2 on 1 and 1 on 2, I used the same setup. I love shield defense!

The experience was great. I learned a lot about trying to read actions, and that keeping a good eye on all parties gets you out of trouble.

[parkerlineage]

Awesome. Thanks for sharing!

Battle axe...sweet. I'd probably hack my leg off.

[lordtariel]

I've done some 2 on 1 with shinai(2 people) vs bo(1). It's a completely different than what I was used to. Just out of curiousity SCA guys... how do you spar with battle axes? Do you make wood ones or do you just have serious armor? I'd think something like that would have a great deal of mass behind it.

[bushido_man96]

I've done some 2 on 1 with shinai(2 people) vs bo(1). It's a completely different than what I was used to. Just out of curiousity SCA guys... how do you spar with battle axes? Do you make wood ones or do you just have serious armor? I'd think something like that would have a great deal of mass behind it.

For my battle axe, I used 1 1/4 inch rattan, like for the swords, and then I took some camping foam, cut out a pattern, and layered it 4 times, and then used some hot glue and packing tape to hold it together, then layered it with black duct tape. I probably have 6 inches of blade, and the head is big enough to hook shields and other weapons. It is also equipped with a thrusting tip.

There are websites where you can actually by a rubberized axe head or hammer head that is SCA legal. But, I like my homemade version.

[parkerlineage]

That's cool! I'd love to learn to use those sometimes.