I have a /little/ experience. Having said that - think basic physics. All that force has to go /somewhere/, and even deflecting it is probably going to at least numb your arm from wrist to shoulder, if not shatter/bend your shield and break your arm.<br/>Better to dodge/duck/leap over, jump in, stab or slash, and jump back out again or go straight through and force him to turn, I would say - anyone have any actual experience (SCA/Amtgard/Solar/whatever) who can tell us different?