Use of the Flail

[Guest]

Does anyone have advice on the proper and effective use of a flail in combat? Me and a group of friends use padded weapons when we spar, and my particular flail is very similiar to the directions under the padded ARMA Weapons Construction, PVC haft, ~2 foot plastic garden chain, and a 5-6 inch padded head.

I am curious as to how i would best employ this weapon, against mostly sword wielding opponents (and the occasional Mace, War Maul, or Axe).

Also a few notes, i will typically carry a large, rectangular shield when using this weapon, and the swords are, for the most part, "SCA" style (although without the exacting standardization and such).

Any advice, tips or strategies would be much appreciated.

[Guest]

Flail was never my weapon, but I saw it employed most effectively using high-low or high-low-middle combos.

Also, It pays to keep an eye out for people who are improperly using their shield (i.e. keeping it flat against their body rather than holding it 6 or so inches out from the body) Once you spot this, if you're fast you might be able to get a strike in on their upper shoulder or upper back by coming over the shield.

Of course, since real flails were huge heavy things with much longer chains, I can't really say that any of these techniues are based on historical fact.

[Eric Dougherty]

I've never really worked with a flail before so I can't help much, but so far Brian's advice sounds good. The only thing is, the "real thing" isn't necessarily huge or heavy. Some had chains only eight inches long and weigh 4 or 5 pounds. So I think your suggestions sound reasonable, even for a real flail.

[Casper Bradak]

To the best of my knowledge, flails never weighed much more than a roughly similarly sized sword, even less, the balance is just opposite, like a mace or axe. Also, the notion of long chains on them is mostly a modern one. Originals ofen had a hand length chain, or even just a joint. A long chain loses power and control.
Since it is far better for offense than defense, it's best used either long hafted, or with a shield or plate armour.
Some of the best guards with a single hand flail, in my experience, are nebenhut, vom tag, and sometimes the low front positions, like alber, boars tooth, etc. I've heard some say you need to keep them moving, but that's bs in my experience and allows your opponent to easily time you.
Being an impact weapon, if your opponent fights defensively, aggressively pound him into the dust. Use round strikes, redel, and zucken. Don't forget to use your shield to attack as well.
Flails, as much as swords, require practice with ACCURATE replicas to KNOW how they really handled, what will/won't work, and what they will do. Keep common sense in the equation.

[Guest]

I'd be interested in learning how to use a flail. I really don't know what to do with one, unless I were to use it kind of like a sword (I'm kinda in the dark about chain weapons, especially 3 section staves).