Learn the Art of Combat - Pike techniques #2: Thrusting basics

In this video we want to compare the different thrusts of the Landsknecht pike. These range from really simple to more difficult to extremely unusual techniques. Particularly in terms of target accuracy, there are significant differences in some cases. Therefore, some thrusting technique requires a lot of practice. But is it worth the effort? Why make it difficult if it can’t be simpler and more precise? To answer this question, let’s take a closer look at all the thrusts to draw a conclusion at the end of the video.

[williamlescas]

These videos on Meyer’s work are fantastic! This series, along with the one on the halberd, were extremely informative - so far the best I have found on YouTube. Thanks for making these, and looking forward to your next video!

[ianhathaway]

These pike videos are just fanrastic, thank you! The charging thrust from the field guard reminds me of something written by Machiavelli in The Prince: he muses that italian infantry should learn to fight like the Swiss, holding the pike in the middle and charging forth! On the matter the matter of skill and tecnique, i would add one thing to what you said: to my mind, Renaissance masters also take showing off into account. I mean, building social capital through (some) flashy use of tecnique was a big deal for these people, and constitutes an important cultural component of their art.

[cnstantin]

Finally! Was dying to see this weapon revived!!!

[stritschar-hfs]

Looks like you've done some target practice since last video, it really shows! Also, great target construction! The one-handed thrusts seem tedious but so awesome when they land.

[b.h.abbott-motley]

Thank you for doing this video. Sancho de Londoño's manual has detailed instruction for how to thrust with the pike in formation in the field. If I recall correctly, the starting position similar to the upper guard shown here but the thrust involves sliding the pike shaft through the front hand so the hands meet. The one-handed thrusting technique with the point on the ground also appears in George Silver's pike instructions for single combat & Joseph Swetnam mentioned it as a battlefield technique. Pike sources contain various surprises!

[warrickford]

What a great series ..every weapon showing the actual use on the battlefield ..from manual to you tube ...bloody excellent ..😊

[SandRhomanHistory]

Incredibly interesting, thanks.
Unglaublich interessant, danke.

[SchildwachePotsdam]

I love the pike, thank you for this series 😁

[steampunknord]

I saw clips from this somewhere else and I am happy to have found the original video.

[jacobrigby]

despite how slow an awkward a pike thrust may seem, the wobbly shaft makes the tip near unpredictable when its facing you

[GrenunnyProductions]

I loved this and it is, so far, my favorite of your videos. :)

[cwmyr]

Amazing! It would be so awesome to get two Haufen of like a hundred reenactors/Hema fighters/volunteers and other such Volk and see how things play out in formation fighting.

[chaoswolff]

I absolutely love these! Just discovered your channel and been binging your content!

Is there any chance you may cover a base spear? I would absolutely love to see what you have to teach, because I feel that a spear may be simple to learn. But, in the hands of someone more advanced it can truly enlighten others in just how versatile and terrifying it is.

[Salmao]

excellent final commentary

liked a lot the "voice" part of this video, good summary

[vanivanov]

Wonderful demonstration! Would be amazing if you could get some friends to form a file, and demonstrate thrusting like this as a group.

[brandonfarfan]

Wow! That weapon is really long. o.O
Good pike techniques video.👍

[gn]

How long is that pike?
Do you think a formation of soldiers holding a shield on one hand and a long pike in the other right below armit (like cavalry) would work? They may be able to harm the enemy by pushing forward even though they could not thrust.

[jackberry]

Hey bjorn, absolutely love the vids, been a huge fan for ages and your videos were what taught me my first longsword skills. Quick question, where do you get those fabulous pants?

[elgostine]

i am somewhat surprised, now that i see this, that meyer doesnt also include a one handed spear lunge from the rear hand

where you step forward with the rear foot and hand, but the forward hand lets go of the weapon resulting in you lunging forward with a surprising amount of power, and also the absolute maximum reach

this move, naturally can leave you extremely vulnerable as it has a slow recovery

but those one handed parries and recovery thrusts would cover that gap

[thegermaniccoenus]

How long is that pike anyways? 12 ft. to 13 ft?