specifics in Spear fighting combat

[Giannis K. Hoplite]

The hoplites had to be tightly packed,especially against another hoplite phalanx. Not only this was what each low rank officer had to keep in mind(and in his men's mind) but also the usual tactic was to have lighter troops or even cavalry in either of the flanks f the phalanx. This way they prevented the outflanking of the phalanx,but now I think of it,it might have prevented what Kineas suggested. By the way,wellcome Kineas!
The purpose was to keep the shields overlapping in all the length of the phalanx. Usually one wing outflanked partially the opposing wing (the right one outflanking the left of the oponents') and this must have produced some disorder in the left wing anyway,but the battle shouldn't have been that loose.
Khaire
Giannis