"What's the correct way to take the mace from the floor before starting a set?"
Should you bring it to order position?
Swing it between your legs first? Go straight over your shoulder?
The answer is probably simpler than most people expect... because there isn't a "right" way.
There Are Several Good Options
If you've watched enough steel mace videos, you've probably noticed that everyone has their own preferred setup.
Some lifters start in a traditional order position.
Some swing the mace between their legs before casting it up.
Others pick it straight off the floor and immediately begin their first 360 or 10 to 2.
They're all valid.
Unless you're competing in an organization with specific rules (and even then, most aren't overly restrictive about the pickup), there usually isn't a scientifically superior way to get the mace moving.
Heavier Maces Often Change the Setup
One thing you'll notice as the weight gets heavier is that many people naturally eliminate unnecessary pauses.
Rather than lifting the mace into order position and holding it there, they'll grab it and immediately use the momentum of the first swing.
It's simply more efficient.
Getting the implement moving smoothly often feels better than trying to muscle it into position and stop it before beginning.
Practice the Transition
Like everything else with mace training, this is a skill.
The more comfortable you become transitioning from the floor into your first rep, the smoother your sets will feel.
If this is something you struggle with, drills like:
- Grave Diggers
- Curl Casts
- Controlled shoulder casts
are excellent ways to build confidence handling the weight.
These movements teach you how to guide the mace into position rather than forcing it there.
The Same Idea Applies to Clubs
Steel clubs work much the same way.
Some people like a slight backswing before casting.
Others prefer pulling the club directly from the floor into the first movement.
Again, neither is inherently better.
The goal is simply to create a smooth, repeatable setup that feels controlled and lets you begin every set with confidence.
Find What Feels Natural
One of the biggest misconceptions in steel mace training is that every movement has a single correct answer.
In reality, there are principles that generally make for better training, but there are often several ways to accomplish the same goal.
Your setup is one of them.
Try a few different pickup styles.
See which one feels strongest.
See which one flows best into your first rep.
Then practice it until it becomes automatic.
Because once the mace starts moving, that's where the real work begins.