Othismos true nature

[Mitra]

Delbruck assumes that spear fencing is the primary function of the front rank, and so these men cannot function with pressure from the rear. If instead their primary function, during the othismos- there may be more than one stage of battle and the whole emphasis on each might evolve with time, was not to fence with the man in front of them, but to jab overhand into the enemy ranks while being propelled from behind this problem dissapears. At the height of this packing, falling down was not something easily done even when dead.

This is not Delbruck opinion but of document author probably Frundsberg same. Images from 1500 pike training show precise pike strikes aiming to face, to legs, to throat, underarm and overarm: a true pike fencing (Alatriste film Rocroi scene is very realistic respect these images).