8 Important Tips About Persian Meels

Sword and Shield

Exploring the historical origins of Persian Meels and their exercises, which originate from the sword and shield used in warfare.

8 Important Tips About Persian Meels

Sagittal Exercises

Sagittal exercises, focus on triceps extensions and make sure you take a deep breath when the club is behind you.

Club Length

The length of a meel changes during exercise. When you hold a club in front of you with your forearm roughly at 100°, the club is at its normal length. As you start raising the club to swing it behind you, the Meel has to pivot from your elbow, which means that the Meel is now the length of your forearm plus the length of the club itself.

The Meel has to pivot from your elbow

Gripping the Club

The purlicue is the soft webbing between the thumb and forefinger

The Reverse Sabre Grip (Shield Phase)

The Reverse Sabre Grip and starting position. Meels should be held with your forearm at 100°. When the club is in front of you and your hand is at your belly button level. The club handle should rest against the space between your thumb and forefinger which is called the purlicue.
All your fingers should be pointing downwards towards the floor, pushing the handle into the purlicue. This is the point at which you can choose to hold your pinky below the pommel or group it together with the other fingers.

Reverse Sabre Grip

The Hammer Grip (Push Up and Shield Phase)

The Hammer Grip is used to lift the club from the belly button up to the shoulder, ready to swing.

Hammer Grip

The Sabre Grip (Sword Phase)

The Sabre Grip is used when the club is swung behind you.

Sabre Grip

The Hammer Grip (Pull Down & Final Shield Phase)

The Hammer Grip is used to bring the club back to the starting position and finish in the reverse Sabre Grip.

The handle should rest on the purlicue, and allow the club to lean slightly into the body.
The fingers apply pressure to the handle to help keep the club still

Frontal Plane

The meels are swung on the frontal plane around the spine.

Elbow/Shoulder Rotation

The role of the elbow is very important, as you start to lift the club your elbow should be on the frontal plane. Once you have dropped the club into the backswing, your elbow should point to the front on the sagittal plane.

Elbow on frontal plane

Elbow on the sagittal plane

Range of Motion

The correct combination of the grips and elbow/shoulder rotation will ensure that you are taking advantage of your full range of motion.

Right arm low – CORRECT – uses full ROM

Right arm high – WRONG – limited ROM

Bodyweight

Shifting your body weight is very important, and very much part of swinging Persian Meels.
For example, if you are going to swing the club on your right hand, you should aim to transfer your body weight to your right leg and slide your left foot over to your right foot.
Then, to swing the left arm the same happens in reverse, you transfer your body weight to your left foot and slide the right foot over to the left foot.

Counting

1. On account of one, the first club is lifted and swung.
2. On the count of two, the first club returns to the front starting position.
3. On account of three, the second club is lifted and swung.
4. On the count of four, the second club returns the front starting position.

Window

You should aim to keep the club as close to the body as possible without touching, this is very important when you prepare to swing the club, you should try to steer your hand holding the club between the top of your shoulder and your ear. In doing so the base of the club should rise behind you with the push-up before you let it fall into the swing.

Rookie Mistakes

Keeping your forearms at 90° and parallel the floor, move hands down toward the belly button.
If you hold the clubs high you will make a shallow swing, and not take advantage of the complete range of motion is available.
Death grip, holding the club too tight and not allowing frequent changes

WRONG Starting Position

CORRECT Starting Position

Death Grip WRONG

Relaxed Grip CORRECT