Othismos true nature

[Giannis K. Hoplite]

Nice drawing Paul M. I have to point out that the foot normally looks to the side when in the first phase of the strike.Like in my avatar. Then,with the hip twist,the foot turned somewhat in front. Again remember that the shieldshad to be locked. Can such movements not couse disorder with the right over left shield overlap?
But gentlemen, I think there is no point explaining all those details. I mean,we might find the best (theoretically) fighting tecnique during the first phases of the battle,but we can't say that this is how hoplites were TRAINED to fight. I mean,some may have been fighting in the one stance,others with another. Some may have been fighting in a way you would call "wrong". And finally,many of those things depicted in art are impossible because of human anatomy and natural movement. What is important,is that once the rear rankers started pushing,then the hoplites were pressed with chest on their shields. And even this is not that important to start debating about,just because if you're pushed,there is no other way you can fight. Unfortunately few beople have participated in large enough formations and even fewer have been pushed with a shield in them. The videos above explain many things. And thr closest experiane one can have is in a pushing croud,either in a stadium or cinema or whatever. If you have to push,you have to have chest forward.
Khairete
Giannis