Backblast! The Battlefield - Weekly Beatdown Series
DATE: 2026-02-12
AO: The Battlefield
Q: @Dexter,
PAX: @Milton @Sunshine @Dexter @Fansville @Riggs @Wilson @86
FNGs: None
COUNT: 7
WARMUP: SSH, WP, Bobby Hurleys THE THANG: Spartacus! 2 full rounds + 5 q's choice One minute of reps - 20 sec rest
- Goblet Squats
- Mountain Climber
- Arm Swings
- Merkins
- Split jumps
- Lawn Mowers
- Side lunges
- Plank shoulder taps
- Twist lunges
- Curl shoulder press
- Lot Lap
MARY: ANNOUNCEMENTS: COT: Great workout guys! CoT suggested them for Feb: Locking Sheilds
- 300 Spartans
- Romans also used the tactic
- 1. Roman Testudo (tortoise) Formation
The testudo turned legionaries into a “human tank” by locking shields together—front ranks holding them upright and overlapping, while rear ranks raised them overhead like a roof—to advance under heavy missile fire (arrows, javelins, stones) during sieges or advances.
- • A striking description comes from Plutarch, recounting Mark Antony’s campaign against Parthia in 36 BC. His troops formed the testudo under intense arrow barrages: soldiers dropped to one knee, enclosed lighter troops inside, and layered shields overhead. The formation looked like a sloped roof, causing arrows to glance off harmlessly. This required immense trust and coordination—each man relying on the others to maintain the “shell” without gaps—allowing them to push forward where individual soldiers would have been cut down. It highlighted Roman discipline as a source of motivation: order and unity over chaos.
- We encourage each other to be disciplined in all areas of life by being disciplined with our time together - we lift each other
- We share successes which give hope and courage to others who might be struggling or down - we trust each other
- We discuss truth through our various topics each month. We are building a community of men with common belief and purpose so we can fight common battles alongside each other. - we need each other
- I love the picture of the Roman formation shaped like a turtle protecting those inside while moving forward. We must move forward together! Doing the hard stuff. Facing tough challenges. Making a difference in the lives of those we love and others.
