Equestrian:Activity - Jousting - Conventions - Lance techniques
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Lance techniques
The three fundamental lance techniques essential to jousting are: the levee, the measuring pass and the mercy pass.
- Levee
- A proper levee is done by:
- Receiving the lance from the ground crew
- Resting the butt end of the lance on their leg or saddle in the safety (i.e. vertical) position
- Saluting to indicate their readiness to begin
- Starting down the lane and lowering the lance over several strides until approximately one stride from the target
- Striking the target
- Approximately one stride past the target, raising the lance up and away from the target
- Safely stopping the mount at the end of the tilt
- Handing the lance in the safety (i.e. vertical) position back to the ground crew.
- Measuring pass
- A measuring pass is a levee where the lance is lowered only on the right side of the mount's neck and does not cross over the mount's neck to engage the approaching target.
- Mercy pass
- A mercy pass is where the lance is pulled away before hitting the target and held at arm's length (tip up) to the right side of the mount to clearly show the lack of intent to hit or be hit.
- Although every effort should be made to avoid striking an unprepared rider, once the pass begins there is a possibility that the opponent may not be aware of the problem and make the strike.
- Each rider should be prepared to receive a strike even after requesting a mercy pass.