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Abstract. This paper describes some of the different types of grip
used in antiquity to hold spears when used for stabbing
attack. There has been some debate about the effectiveness of
a particular method of gripping a spear when it is
used in attack and this is discussed. The ancient pictorial
evidence concerning spear grips is reviewed and summarized. Field trials
to compare the effectiveness of three distinct methods of single-handed
grip using a spear were undertaken and the observations of
the field experimentalist are considered and described. The effectiveness of
different grip methods were quantified in laboratory trials using an
instrumented spear, in which the impact force and energy were
measured. These laboratory trials indicated that, of three grip types,
the over-arm grip delivered most energy, the under-arm about half
that of the over-arm, and a shoulder-level grip the least.
Related topics:
spears, history
View first page of "Connolly: Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Three Methods of Spear Grip"
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