blocking with spears/glaives

[otherial]

are you able to block with the shaft? just curious. and what are specifics on it if you can?

[Kyrax]

Yes you can block weapons or deflect javelins with a polearm shaft. But you should not block people or limbs with the unpadded part of the shaft (which on a Class III only spear can be fairly large).

The key is to use common sense - blocking a sword blow with your spear is no different than blocking it with a sword. Just prevent the weapon from hitting you, and don't whack your opponent unsafely (no headshots, no hitting with a non-striking surface, etc.).

I have even used a spear to cross-check a charging shieldman. You know what I mean, holding the shaft diagonally across your body and use it to push against their shield. But you have to be careful to not check too high on the shield or it will pivot and put your haft in their face - and that is ILLEGAL. I learned very quickly to cross-check low enought that the shaft hits the shield below where their arm is - if you hit above, you'll smack them in the face. This is probably an issue with punch-gripped shields, so be careful cross-checking them.