Let me start this thread by stating a few of my biases.
I prefer a strap shield to a punch shield. I prefer an open shield (edge toward the opponent) to a closed shield (flat toward the opponent). I prefer cored heater shields to round shields. I dislike spin shots and, overall, think they are slow and open up too much of your body to a quick attack. I think classic weapon shapes are classic for a reason.
It recently occured to me that all of these biases are meaningless. They affect how I teach others - don't ask me how to best use a punch shield - but have no other bearing on the field of battle.
If somebody does something legal but stupid on the field and you can't block him and then hit him, perhaps you simply need to improve ... or perhaps its not that stupid.
I've been watching a video about the proper way to do a spin shot and a few things have occured to me:
1) It's very hard to throw a shieldside shot low around a closed shield
2) The guy teaching the shot knows very well how vulnerable he is doing the maneuver and teaches how to move the shield to compensate (moving it in ways I can't move my big heater strap shield ... yet).
3) As long as I continue to fight with a big, heavy, open, strap shield look for me to continue using the shieldside shots I favor instead of a spin shot.
4) Perhaps some of my biases are wrong ... and not just about spin shots.
Perhaps I should take a second look at the somersault thrust move ...