So I'm trying to step my fighting skill up a notch and my current focus is not crossing as much. Not to say that I'm "not crossing at all," but only with purpose. However, I find myself doing it more often than I intend to. Does anyone have any tips on how I can keep telling myself to not throw a cross or at least keep it in my thought process before throwing a shot? Thanks in advance.

Throw your shots with intention. When you aim small, you miss small. When fighting, don't think "I'm gonna swing for their sword side", think: "I'm going to swing for 2 inches under their elbow on their sword side arm by dropping a slot shot between their shield and their weapon." That kind of intentional shot may not hit right where you want, but I bet you'll be somewhere within 6 inches of your target.

If you look at fighters such as Sir Bo, you're going to find they employ similar techniques, and for good reason; control and skill progression are synonymous. Practice on a punching bag or a pell, if you find you can't think that quick in combat yet, or have a partner spar you and call out specific targets and have you slowly aim and strike.

When I decided to break myself of high-crossing, I intentionally told myself "you will not throw that shot", and really that's the only way to do it. Take control of your shot placement, and everything else will fall into place.

One of the most painful ways to do this is to immediately call yourself dead as soon as you throw the high cross. It forces you to be aware of what you're throwing and to impose a harsh punishment for throwing it. Once you stop constantly doing that (and you will), you can take a step back and start looking how you can incorporate the high cross into your fighting repertoire without using it so much.

Learn other ways to kill people. Most people who live and die by the cross don't know how to do much else.

* Thurat: I like what your saying about the "specificness" of shots thrown. I'm pretty sure that I am going to start trying to work that into practices that I make it to.

* Kyrian: That is a pretty good one. I know myself and plenty of other people have done that for headshots when we start throwing them to often.

* Dane: I can't even describe the degree of truth in that haha. I know exactly what you mean and that is why I'm trying to break the habit.

Thanks for all the input guys. I love learning new stuff so tips are tricks are always appreciated.

Why do you want to stop crossing so much? Are you dying when you throw the cross? Is it no longer effective? If the answer to either of these is "yes" then maybe you should look at why it isn't working for you. Are you throwing it when the shot is not really open, simply because you don't have a better shot?

There are some good setups you can work in that really enhance the effectiveness of the cross. You can swing low (under the shield, with palm facing up), then turn your hand over (palm down) and turn the shot into a cross. Alternatively, you can throw 2 or 3 shoulder-drops in a row, then use the front edge of your shield to "open" their shield (just reach out and pry open their shield) and drop the cross into the opening.

Every shot should have a setup, unless the shot itself is the setup.

Well this past Sunday we had a small day event and I found myself not throwing it as much and when I did throw it, 80% of the time it was with a purpose and was effective. Thanks for the suggestions guys. I tried all of them at least once, finding that thinking the fight through constantly and thoroughly was the best option for me. The other suggestions are good as well, but since my head game can keep up I think I will be sticking with that. Thanks again.

throw the cross all day everyday

How long did it take your shoulder to heal?

Wrist/elbow, actually, and something like three-ish years.
My shoulder was from getting shield-checked from behind, that took another three years to heal.
Can we please make it illegal for shield bashing/checking from the rear quandrant already? That **** is so stupid.

Not sure if sarcasm...

I am going with yes, but for any noob who thinks otherwise:

3.5.4.3. A person may not Bash, Check or Shield Kick an opponent's rear quadrant. Shield pushing or incidental contact in an opponent's rear quadrant is allowed.

I'm going to guess you mean with a shield throwing high cross too much. If that's the case the advice I would give you, is learn to move their shield. You can pretty safely pick a person's shoulder by getting a down punch on the bottom of their shield. You can also usually get a wrap with stepping past or exposing yourself by tapping the inside (towards the sword arm) of their shield and then throwing a wrap to the outside.

Find a person to spar with. Every time you throw the high cross, stop, raise your arm, and let them punch you in the armpit with your shield. That will make you stop really quick.