Thearos
|
Very interesting. I've never slung with a shield (I have a buckler so I'll try), but I find convincing the idea that if you keep the shield up DURING RELEASE, you impair the shot.
So why have a shield at all during slinging ? (the evidence is of course on Trajan's Column; I can't think of any Greek images). I assume for two or three reasons:
(0. To allow you to fight hand to hand if necessary);
1. To keep you safe from missiles when moving around or when reloading;
2. To give you some protection when preparing your shoot and aiming.
In other words, I'd imagine the gestures as follows: when winding-up, hold the shield high in front of you (against any incoming); when shooting, pivot the shield out of the way; raise shield after shot, relocate, and reload under cover of shield (especially to protect head).
The alternative is to practice shooting with the shield held in front, so that moving, loading, winding-up and shooting all happen with the shield interposed btw you and the enemy-- at the cost of some possible loss in power. One way of doing this but not lose any power might be by still rotating the body, but keeping the shield in its place (so that at the start of the shot, the shield is held out in front by the left arm, but by the end of the shot, the left arm is coiled up and the shield is now located hard by the right breast).
|