Practice using the single arm shield at a long range that puts you in a positon to counter far enough away without having to step towards your opponent hardly. Caution, don't use a single arm shield when to stopping a combination attack, stick to a two arm shield. Remember a single arm shield should only be used in a striking exchange when you clearly have time to draw your opponent into a caluated timed attack.The two arm shield should be well masterd first in all striking and grappling situations. Focus on stopping or deflecting a well comitted attack(s) with your one arm and counter instantly with your own attack(s) then recover back to your guard stance, or shield until you can escape. As we continue futher with learning the Shield System you will start to se how diversed this concept is in other areas of combat. Remeber most fighters don't spend hardly any time understanding what real tatcical fighting is, and really have not found any intelligent methods to surviving sudden suprise attacks. You will be way ahead od the game by sticking with this method of training that I will continue to offer you.