If you’re new to mace swinging, you’ve probably already discovered two things:
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There’s a lot of content out there.
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Most of it feels way too advanced when you’re just trying not to hit yourself in the back of the head.
This post exists to fix that.
There’s a time and place to dive deep into nuance… lever length, angles, circumduction, rotational patterns, and all the fun technical stuff. But when you’re a beginner? Most of that isn’t helpful. And honestly, it can make learning harder.
So let’s strip it back to the fundamentals... the things that actually matter when you first pick up a mace.
It’s a Skill, Not a Party Trick
Almost no one picks up a mace for the first time and swings it well.
Even strong, athletic people struggle.
It doesn’t matter if you:
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Lift heavy
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Split wood
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Swing sledgehammers
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Play softball or golf
The mace is different… the lever arm is long, the weight is offset, and the tool wants to move in a way your body isn’t used to. That’s the point.
Your shoulders, lats, triceps, grip, and midline all have to adapt.
And adaptation takes time.
If you feel awkward at first, good. That means you’re doing it right.
The Swing Will Teach You More Than Cues Will
One of the biggest misconceptions is that your technique has to be perfect before you can start swinging. Not true.
The weight, arc, and moment of the swing actually guide your body into the positions it needs to be in. The tool teaches you. You just need reps.
You don’t need to obsess over:
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micro angles
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spine rotation patterns
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advanced timing cues
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hyper-specific hand placement
All of that comes later—after you’ve built the foundation.
Order Position: Keep It Simple
Order position is a huge sticking point for beginners, but it doesn’t need to be complicated.
Here’s what matters:
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Hands together
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Arms long
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Mace head balanced in front of you
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Hands roughly below the belly button
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Comfortable, centered, and stable
That’s it.
Don’t overthink which side of your hip the handle should be on. Don’t lift the mace up high in front of your chest. And don’t “shoot” the mace straight behind you when you cast.
Just cast it slightly behind you (so it clears your body), let the arc form naturally, and bring it right back to order.
Over time, as your swing improves, your positioning will dial itself in.
Why Strong Lifters Often Struggle More at First
This surprises a lot of people, but it makes complete sense.
If you’ve built a lot of muscle and tension over the years, you’re tight in the exact places the mace wants to open up:
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Lats
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Triceps
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Chest
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Forearms
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Midline
The mace forces length where you’ve built tension. That’s why swings feel “blocked” or sticky at first. You’re literally teaching your body to move differently—and you should expect that adaptation curve.
Give it time. It’s worth it.
The Biggest Beginner Mistake: Getting Lost in the Weeds
You don’t need a checklist of 42 cues to get started.
You need:
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A safe cast
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Long arms
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A relaxed (but not loose) grip
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A consistent order position
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Reps
That’s it.
If you just keep showing up, the timing, rhythm, mobility, and confidence will come. Everyone who’s good at swinging a mace started exactly where you are.
To Wrap It Up...
Mace swinging isn’t something you master in a day. It’s a journey—one that strengthens your shoulders, opens your upper body, builds serious grip strength, and teaches your body to move as one connected system.
Keep it simple. Don’t chase perfection. Just practice.
If you’re ready to dive deeper, check out the video above and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more mace and club training tips.
And if you want a handcrafted, American-made adjustable mace… you already know where to go.
CK Maceworks.
Train smarter. Swing better.