Atlatl Combat Experiments: Fending with Sticks

Another part of the atlatl combat experiments conducted by myself and Devin Pettigrew (Aratlatl on RUclips and Instagram). These experiments test the use of Basketmaker II S-shaped sticks (Also called fending sticks or grooved clubs) to defend against atlatl darts. This research became a poster, given at the 2015 Plains Conference, Iowa City. A publication is currently in the works.
This sort of research is import to help us understand the characteristics and limitations of atlatls in combat.
DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS AT HOME. Serious injury or death are possible in the event of mishaps.

[@jackmrozinski337]

I checked your channel on a whim and you are back! you have been missed.

[@2862Gunny]

It’s good to see you back. You were missed.

[@BasketmakerII]

Thanks Frank, I appreciate it! Moving forward, I hope to keep things updated better.

[@masonheipel]

it would be very useful in that you're not fighting alone and having fewer darts whizzing past you and your friends is a good thing. also allows quicker recovery of darts to throw back

[@michaelspeakman9734]

The sticks could have been(rabbit sticks) throwing sticks. To hunt small game rather than using your larger hunting darts which could be over kill.

[@oiuchi]

Hit to the balls was pure gold!))))

[@christkandosii3337]

So basically you have poor aim, too poor to test the theory?

[@BasketmakerII]

Hi Christ,
Normally I don’t engage with trolls, but your concern is valid, and for the benefit of others reading these comments, I’ll reply. People can be trained to do any number of amazing physical feats, like deflecting arrows with swords and things of that nature. But people don’t argue that swords were developed for that purpose. These tests weren’t to see if you could train someone up to do this effectively (I’m sure you could), the test is to see if it’s likely that this form would have been dictated by that function, for which other, simpler explanations exist. Without experiments like this, in which we’re confident enough to do things poorly and be publicly judged by people for it, we can’t advance knowledge about technology.
Best,
-Justin