Spear Fighting Basics 2 - Distance Management

[@MartinGreywolf]

Two exercises I'd add are lancing (i.e. one handed thrust) with a step and thrusts with a retreating step (gathering or passing). Lancing with a step is a good surprise attack, because it covers an insane amount of distance - you can hit your opponent at a range where he believes himself perfectly safe, or during a retreat, but perhas more importantly, it allows you to thrust from behind the safety of a shield wall in group fights. Not just from directly behind, one of my favourite scumbag tactics is to be on the flank, slightly behind the front line and do a lancing thrust to the uncovered side of the opponent's flankmost sword and shield guy (do this with a fair amount of gentleness and only against metal or rigid armor, slamming a spear into a kidney like that can be... pretty painful). If you are lancing with a step, you can do this from so far away the opposing spearmen may well not be able to stop you. Well, unless they have a longer spear, then you can get counter-stabbed into a bicep. Moral of the story is, longer spear is better spear. The thrust with a retreating step is not that important when going spear against spear, but becomes essential when you are facing shorter weapons. You want to be able to retreat from their rush all the while giving them a good reason to cease and desist in said rushing, and targeted thrusts (e.g. legs or face) are... pretty much your only option. Especially since people who know their way around mixed matchup and have a shield will rush you immediately and go hard, because they know that is their ticket to defeating you. I can't remember when was the last time I was going spear against sword and shield and attacked while advancing.

[@Davlavi]

informative.

[@andreweden9405]

"Io son la nobelle arma per nome lança: Principio de bataia è sempre mia usança. E chi me guarda cum mio penone ardito De grande paura deuenta smarito: E se a lo principio el mio debito faço, Azça spada e daga io cauo de impaço." "I am a noble weapon, Spear by name: In the beginning of battle I am always used. And whoever watches me with my dashing pennant should be frightened with great dread. For if in the beginning I make my due, Axe, sword, and dagger will I upset." - Introduction to the chapter on the spear from the combat treatise "Fior di Battaglia"("Flower of Battle") by Fiore dei Liberi (c. 1410).

[@corrugatedcavalier5266]

Good drills!

[@lambchu6459]

Sorry for the ignorance, but is the logo on the Light Gray fighter's top from Attack on Titan or in reference to something else?

[@jimmynicolas4602]

✌😁