The Shield System

[Lunasacre]

I'm a new GLD and new to FFXIV all around. I played FFXI for years, and my first job to 75 was Paladin, but tanking on these two classes already seems quite different. My GLD is now level 15, and after reading this thread I'm realizing that the guard ability is actually useful! When I first got it, I used it a couple of times, but all that seemed to happen was I just stood there with my shield in front of me while mobs wailed away on me. As soon as I attacked, it seemed that my "guard" stance went away. From what I could tell, it wasn't very useful.

Same thing for that Aegis Boon ability. Every time I use it, I seem to put up my shield and just stand there watching the mobs stare right back at me while nothing happens. Again, after reading this thread that's obviously not what's going on, but I had no idea! Can anyone point me to a website that can teach me how I should be using guard+phalanx? I haven't used phalanx at all because I never could tell when my shield blocked, however now it seems that it will *only* block if I use that guard ability? Any tips and directions would be great! Thanks in advance.

EDIT: Finally getting the hang of it. Would be nice to not worry about it, but I don't mind it.