[Lucky]

Thee questions really;

1)How is a spear thrown, is it spin-stabilized, how far along the shaft does the hand go, what type of grip is used, is there follow-through?

2)is there any real difference between a spear and a javelin, or can they be interchangeable?

3)What is the technique for thrusting a spear?

[hso]

There are whole spear forms in chinese and japanese martial arts, and arts just built around them (I think), that teach use of the spear.

Spears are not good throwing weapons. The balance is different from a javeline.

[HiWayMan]

1)How is a spear thrown, is it spin-stabilized, how far along the shaft does the hand go, what type of grip is used, is there follow-through?

2)is there any real difference between a spear and a javelin, or can they be interchangeable?

3)What is the technique for thrusting a spear?

1a. A spear is drag stabilized, like an arrow.
1b. The hand should go right at the balance point.
1c. The grip should have the head coming out the bottom of the hand with the thumb and index finger nearest the butt, palm up. The thumb and index finger are the last to leave the shaft when releasing.
1d. The follow thru is much like throwing a baseball.

2. They are largely the same thing. The spear fills both thrust and throw rolls, while the javelin is more throw oriented.

3. Many different techniques. Two handed and one handed. Play around with a broom stick. There really isn't a wrong way. Pointy end at target.

[Timthinker]

If I am not greatly mistaken, bayonet practice drills should provide you with some useful spearing techniques. I believe these drills are illustrated on a website operated by Pete Krausse(?). If you need a website address, then I will be glad to check on it.

Timthinker

[Timthinker]

The website I previously mentioned is www.alliancemartialarts.com. The gentleman who I believe is its current operator is Pete Kautz, a man of many talents. Those interested in bayonet and stick techniques may wish to visit this site. In addition, information on knife fighting techniques and unarmed combatives is also discussed there. I hope this information is useful.

Timthinker

[geim druth]

Many old time staff techniques were based on spear-play.

This site has some good images of staff and halberd use from Joachim Meyer's fechtbuch. The letters on the top of the page lead to the pictures. They show both short (spear) staff techniques and long (pike) staff techniques.

http://jfgilles.club.fr/escrime/bibliotheque/meyer/index.html

[Cosmoline]

Ditto the bayonet drills. These are little different from spear practice. A Mosin or Mauser with bayonet fixed makes a fantastic heavy spear. Not too good for throwing, but extremely effective at close range.

http://www.usregulars.com/Bayonet_files/bayonet01.html

http://hicketypip.tripod.com/Rifledrill/bayonet.htm

One of the keys that runs through these exercises is to avoid relying on small "show" muscles in the forearms and arms, and use the big working leg and back muscles.

[zinj]

IIRC there are two kinds of spears. Long, heavy, ones are used like pikes for thrusting. The lighter ones are launched from an atlatl (spear thrower), which generates more velocity and is more accurate than just throwing by hand.

[JShirley]

(3)

For sojutsu, the spear should be held with the lead hand palm up, underneath the shaft, while the rear hand is held with the palm down.

There are three basic ways to thrust. The first, and most simple, is to throw your arms up from midlevel to high, as you extend them and take a step forward. You don't get much range, but it's powerful and simple- think of using a bayonet.

Second, is like using a pool cue. Slide the rear hand back, grip, and then push while you let the shaft run through your lead hand.

Third, is the inverse of the second. Slide your lead hand back, grip, and push while you let the shaft run through your rear hand. It's the least powerful, but most unexpected thrust (tsuki).

Here is the most basic kata I know: you face a swordsman. Your first move is to thrust towards his lead hand and forearm. He will move, block, or freeze.

The immediate next move is to target his body and thrust even more powerfully. The kata will probably take less than 2 seconds from initial move. Use two of the thrusts.

Hope this helps.

John

[CWL]

By just focusing on the tip of a spear, you are forgetting that the rest of the spear can be used as well.

The shaft is a smashing, blocking weapon and the end of the shaft is almost as dangerous as the tip.

[RyanM]

A rifle with fixed bayonet is really used more like a sword (halfsword style) or short spear (3-4 feet long), than a normal full-sized spear.

[Cosmoline]

What rifle are you talking about? Mine is over six feet with the bayonet. It's not a sword as far as I can tell. Even the carbine is 52 inches with the bayonet out.

[Lucky]

Wow, thanks guys, I'm still processing it all.

[Biker]

I have an African Assegai (sp) I work with. It's about 5' long with a broad, sharpened 9" long blade and the bottom is covered with a steel sheath for about a third of the spear as is the top.
IMO, it's a very versatile design, goof for thrusting, hacking and blocking.
Just ask the Zulus.

Biker:)

[sixgunner455]

Stick sharp, pointy end into the object you wish to make a hole in. Repeat as necessary until desired effect is achieved.














:neener:

[RyanM]

What rifle are you talking about? Mine is over six feet with the bayonet. It's not a sword as far as I can tell. Even the carbine is 52 inches with the bayonet out.

Something a little shorter than that. Anyway, I specifically said halfsword. The right hand grips the handle, just under the guard, while the left hand grips the middle of the blade. The tip is used to stab and slash, while the pommel and guard are used to smash. Exactly like you use a fixed bayonet.

Most techniques for the bigger spears focus more on plain old stabbing, with absolutely minimal swinging, since they were intended for use on a crowded battlefield, where your allies may not appreciate you twirling a very long, heavy, bladed stick around in the middle of a formation of dozens of other people with very long, heavy, bladed sticks.

[Cosmoline]

You're right in that earlier battle spears were longer than six feet, but from all I've seen 19th century bayonet practice involved little if any slashing. They'd mass their men in a line and run with fixed bayonets to stab anyone in their way. That's why I was saying the war rifles with fixed bayonets functioned as heavy, if not overly long, spears.

[Lone Star]

Sasha Siemel speared big jaguars by placing the butt of the spear on the ground and letting the charging cat impale itself on the point.

Lone Star

[Sunray]

Spears don't get thrown. They're long stabbing weapons. Javelins and their assorted kin, like pilums, get thrown.

[hankpac]

Go see the movie "300" It has a ton of well choreographed spear work. Stabbing and throwing, as well as team deployment.

[geim druth]

Even better, rent 'The Hidden Fortress'. Great spear duel!

[wulfbyte]

A spear is a generic term that can apply to many different objects. A javelin is a very specific type of spear that when thrown in a particular way becomes spin stabilized (watch an Olympic javelin throw to see it in action) instead of drag stabilized.

Through out history, there have been spears used to thrust as well as to cut, to be thrown as well as to be hand held, used on foot or from horseback.

Today, I think a very practical source of good information is from Cold Steel. They not only sell spears but also provide training in their use, for hunting, target throwing, and self defense.

I own a long hafted assegai from them, and I throw at targets all the time with my son. It is good exercise and we spend good time together.

[zahc]

I'm reminded of a scene from The Mask of Zorro

'pointy end goes into the other man':D

[Risasi]

Go see the movie "300" It has a ton of well choreographed spear work. Stabbing and throwing, as well as team deployment.


:shakes head in disbelief:

Nevermind that movie had nothing to do with Spartan fighting techniques...