The 10-2 is one of the foundational swings in steel mace training.
Most people learn a single way to perform it… but once you spend enough time swinging, you start to realize there are multiple ways to execute the movement depending on the goal, load, and style of training.
In this video, we demonstrate two slightly different approaches to the 10-2 swing that can change how the movement feels and performs.
Neither one is right or wrong… they’re simply different tools you can use in your training.
The Arm-Dominant 10-2
The first version is what many people learn when they first start swinging a mace.
In this variation, the arms play a larger role in guiding the mace back into the order position.
The movement tends to look like this:
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The mace comes down behind the body
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The arms help bring it back up
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You return it to the order position in front of the chest
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Then repeat on the other side
Your torso still rotates slightly… it has to in order to orient the body with the swing… but the arms are doing most of the guiding.
This approach works well for:
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Learning the movement pattern
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Practicing control and technique
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Moderate training loads
It’s a very controlled style of swinging, and it helps build coordination early in your mace training journey.
The Torso-Driven 10-2
The second variation uses more rotation from the torso and trunk.
Instead of relying primarily on the arms, the body rotates with the load, allowing the mace to move in a smoother arc over the back.
The movement becomes more of a straight-over-the-back path, with the torso helping drive the swing.
When done correctly, this version:
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Distributes the load through the body
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Reduces how much the arms have to fight the weight
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Allows you to handle heavier loads more comfortably
This doesn’t mean the arms aren’t working… they absolutely are.
But the rotation of the torso helps manage the momentum, which can make the swing feel much smoother.
Why This Matters When the Weight Gets Heavy
When you start pushing the load up on your mace, the arms can only do so much.
If you're relying too heavily on them to control the swing, you may start to notice:
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The movement feeling choppy or forced
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Your arms getting fatigued quickly
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Certain weights feeling like they beat you up
Learning to rotate with the mace and use your whole body can help solve some of those sticking points.
It's not about cheating the movement.
It's about learning how to move with the tool instead of fighting it.
The Beauty of Mace Training: Nuance
One of the things we love about mace training is how many different ways there are to use the tool.
Small adjustments in:
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Body rotation
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Grip position
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Tempo
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Load
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Swing path
…can completely change how the movement feels.
Exploring these nuances is part of what makes mace training so effective for building:
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Shoulder durability
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Trunk strength
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Coordination
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Rotational power
Experiment With Both
Both styles of 10-2 swings work.
Both train the same general movement pattern.
And both can have a place in your training depending on what you're trying to accomplish.
The important thing is to experiment and feel the difference.
You might find that a small shift in how you rotate with the mace suddenly makes a weight feel much more manageable.
And anytime you can safely swing a little more load, that's usually a good thing.
Train hard. Swing often.
If you want a steel mace built to grow with your training, check out our adjustable maces and clubs.
CK Maceworks
Handcrafted steel training tools built in the USA.