Originally Posted by
Master_Mind
An 8 foot spear held underarm like in the video loses all effectiveness at close range. Is it possible hoplites used both underarm and overarm techniques? Maybe, since an 8 foot spear is pretty flexible and maneuverable. Not sure what scholarship says about this, nor am I aware of any primary source literature on this topic. But overarm was definitely a norm:
Also, remember hoplites were shielded by the hoplon, grieves, cuirass or linothorax and helmet. From my readings I recall that in a melee, hoplites targeted their foes' thighs, which were unprotected. The hydria further supports this idea... note how their spears are angled in the direction of their lower bodies.