When most people think of jousting, they conjure up images of ladies in fine silk gowns, knights fighting with lance and sword, and the thunderous hooves of horses kicking up sand in the arena. Although the sport had its beginnings and popularity in the Middle Ages, today it is frequently practiced as an exhibition and competitive sport. In fact, it’s even the official sport of Maryland! If you are interested in the sport, this article will serve as the perfect introduction to the basics of jousting.

lance positioning

One of the most difficult aspects of the sport is simply positioning and holding the spear and maintaining the proper position on the horse. Knights typically lean forward aggressively during a charge to minimize targeting of their torso. Using your biceps, hold the spear 15 degrees above level and point it directly at your opponent’s chest. Use the other arm to hold your shield in the direction of your opponent.

the fifth

For anyone new to this medieval sport, they will likely begin training using the quintain as a training tool. In simple terms, a quintain is a kind of target that you aim at while playing the game, until you have developed enough skill to be able to take on a real opponent. This may mean using a punching bag that hangs from a pole, a shield attached to a pole, or a small ring that the jouster must spear the spear through to score.

The benefit of using a quintain is that it allows a beginning runner to learn the proper aiming, timing, and speed techniques required for competition. Aiming is easily the most difficult and important part of the sport, however a competitor must also have an idea of ​​the timing and speed of the spear and horse moving in unison. Working with a quintain helps competitive or exhibition jousters master these techniques before the actual match.

Facing an Opponent

When facing a real opponent, proper position and technique are critical. The jouster must maintain proper aiming technique as he braces himself for the impact of his opponent’s spear blow. Also, it often takes some training to learn how to safely absorb the impact of the spear, ideally on a glancing blow. Ultimately, the goal of either player is to dislodge their opponent from their horse, this means that a competitor must consider offense and defense equally.

Punctuation

To calculate the match score, you earn one point for breaking the spear on your opponent’s torso between the saddle and the helmet. Two points can be earned for breaking the hull or braking the spear at the base. Finally, three points are counted for knocking the opponent off his horse.