Spear Sweep

SubFamily

槍払い

Traditional

Translation: Spear Sweep

Overview

The Spear Sweep subfamily covers techniques that use the shaft of the yari in sweeping arcs to strike, deflect, or unbalance the opponent, employing the weapon as a staff rather than using the blade to thrust. ^[1] Sweeping techniques are an important secondary application of the spear, used when the opponent has closed inside thrusting range or when the practitioner needs to create distance by sweeping the opponent's weapon or body. ^[1],[2] The spear sweep uses the butt end (ishizuki) or the middle of the shaft to strike the opponent's legs, arms, or weapon, or to push the opponent off balance. ^[2],[3]

Also known as

Yari HaraiJP^[1]Spear Sweeping Action^[2]Yari Nagi^[3]

Used in

Sojutsu Hozoin-ryu

History & Origin

Spear sweeping techniques were developed for battlefield situations where the opponent closed past the spear's thrusting range, requiring the practitioner to use the shaft as an improvised staff weapon. ^[1] Hozoin-ryu sojutsu in particular developed extensive shaft-based techniques complementing the thrust. ^[2],[3]

Effectiveness

Spear sweeps use the shaft to attack the opponent's legs from distance, tripping or unbalancing them while the spear point remains threatening. ^[1]

Lineage

Spear sweeping techniques were developed in Chinese gun-shu and Japanese sōjutsu as secondary attacks using the shaft rather than the point. ^[1]

Competition Record

Spear sweeps are featured in wushu gun-shu forms competition and demonstrated in sōjutsu at koryū events. ^[1]

Images

No images yet for this technique.

Biomechanical Mechanism

Primary Action — Striking, blocking, or thrusting with a long rigid weapon — the staff's length creates leverage and reach advantage

Joints Involved — Both hands (sliding and rotating grip positions), wrists (snap for strikes), hips (rotation for power)

Force Vector — The rear hand pushes while the lead hand acts as fulcrum — staff rotation generates speed at the striking tip

Weapon Mechanic — The staff can be used from either end and at any range — versatility from long-range strikes to short-range blocks

Position & Entry

From ready stance — Hold the staff in two-handed grip, establish distance, strike with the end or middle section as appropriate

From defensive position — Use the staff to block or deflect the incoming attack, then counter with a strike or thrust

Videos

Antony Cummins

Samurai Spear Challenge

Spear Sweep·Antony Cummins

see the original video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRSj1jBSehg

1 video

Learn This Technique

No instructional courses yet for this technique.

Ratings

Danger Rating

Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to

Extreme9/10

Spears, halberds, and naginata; maximum reach with lethal cutting/thrusting capability

Difficulty

Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably

Advanced

Competition Legality

Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets

— Traditional martial arts — Practiced in traditional kata/...

— IWUF — Legal in wushu taolu if applicable

IWUF Competition RulesPDF

HEMA — Legal in applicable historical weapon categories {src— various organizations

Training Notes

✓The spear sweep uses the shaft to clear the opponent's weapon, legs, or arms — a supporting technique that creates openings for the thrust (Draeger, Classical Bujutsu, 1973)

✓The sweep uses the shaft's length as a lever — rotating the spear horizontally or diagonally to push the opponent's weapon offline

✓Spear sweeps target three areas: the opponent's weapon (to create an opening), the legs (to unbalance), and the arms (to displace the guard)

✓The sweep is typically followed by an immediate thrust — the sweep removes the obstacle, and the thrust exploits the opening

✓Low sweeps against the ankles and shins are particularly effective — the spear's reach allows leg sweeps from outside the opponent's weapon range

✓The sweep can be delivered with either end of the spear — the butt end sweeps can be as effective as blade-end sweeps

✓Spear sweeps were essential battlefield techniques — clearing aside enemy weapons in formation fighting to create openings for adjacent soldiers' thrusts

Common Mistakes

!Using the sweep as the primary attack — the sweep is a setup technique; the thrust is the finisher

!Sweeping without a follow-up thrust — the opening created by the sweep is brief; it must be exploited immediately

!Sweeping too widely — an exaggerated sweep leaves the fighter open to counter-thrusts during the recovery

!Not using both ends of the spear for sweeps — limiting sweeps to the blade end wastes the butt end's potential

!Sweeping at the wrong height — leg sweeps must target the ankle or shin; higher sweeps are less effective for unbalancing

!Telegraphing the sweep — the sweep must be disguised; an obvious preparation allows the opponent to retract their weapon

!Losing spear alignment after the sweep — the spear must immediately return to thrusting position after the sweep

Related Techniques

Guard Position — the ready stance from which this technique is initiated Parry — defensive blade/weapon action that counters this attack

Counter Techniques

Beat Parry — deflect the blade with a sharp lateral beat before it reaches target Displacement — move the body off the line while threatening with the point Counter-Thrust — extend into the attacker's line during their advance

Setup Chain

1Grip and Stance — hold the weapon in the correct grip with a balanced stance

2Chamber — draw the weapon back to generate striking power

3Strike — deliver the blow along the correct angle of attack

4Recovery — return to guard position and prepare for the next action

Sources & References

Primary Source

Chinese Martial Arts Training Manuals (Brian Kennedy & Elizabeth Guo, 2005)

1BookThe Art of the Japanese Sword (Sato, 1983)

Alias sources — [1] Japanese Swordsmanship (Warner & Draeger, 1982) [2] Secrets of the Samurai (Ratti & Westbrook, 1973) [3] Secrets of the Samurai (Ratti & Westbrook, 1973)

2BookChinese Martial Arts (Kennedy & Guo, 2005)

Effectiveness sources — [1] Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts (Draeger & Smith, 1969)

3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)

Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)

4CitationThe Art of the Japanese Sword (Sato, 1983)

Alias sources — [1] Japanese Swordsmanship (Warner & Draeger, 1982) [2] Secrets of the Samurai (Ratti & Westbrook, 1973) [3] Secrets of the Samurai (Ratti & Westbrook, 1973)

5CitationChinese Martial Arts (Kennedy & Guo, 2005)

Effectiveness sources — [1] Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts (Draeger & Smith, 1969)

Community

Athletics

Requires

wrist snap speed, sliding grip coordination, hip rotation

Favours

long reach and strong wrists for staff manipulation

Key muscles

forearms, wrist rotators, core rotators, shoulders

Sub-techniques

Standard Spear Sweep

Genus

The Standard Spear Sweep executes the fundamental shaft strike by sliding the grip position and swinging the butt end or mid-shaft in a horizontal or diagonal arc to strike the opponent's legs, midsection, or weapon, or to sweep their weapon aside to create an opening for a follow-up thrust. [1] The standard sweep uses the same body mechanics as a staff strike — hip rotation driving the shaft through the target — and can be directed at the opponent's lower legs to trip, at the hands to disarm, or at the weapon shaft to deflect. [1,2] Following the sweep, the practitioner typically recovers to a thrusting position, using the sweep as a set-up for the spear's primary weapon: the straight thrust. [2,3]

Explore

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use a spear effectively in close combat, or do you need to back up and maintain distance?

According to Antony Cummins, you don't need to back up with a spear—you can use it effectively at close distance by transitioning to knife-like attacks at the head, or by extending it back. The spear works well across a range of distances in close combat.

How can I practice the spear sweep to stop someone from advancing through a doorway?

Antony Cummins recommends a practical drill: use a staff with a sponge dipped in red paint or ink, have a partner in a white t-shirt approach through a narrow doorway, and practice stabbing them at a vital point to prevent them from advancing further.

How does the Spear Sweep work?

The Spear Sweep subfamily covers techniques that use the shaft of the yari in sweeping arcs to strike, deflect, or unbalance the opponent, employing the weapon as a staff rather than using the blade to thrust. Sweeping techniques are an important secondary application of the spear, used when the opponent has closed inside thrusting range or when the practitioner needs to create distance by sweeping the opponent's weapon or body.

Where does the Spear Sweep come from?

Spear sweeping techniques were developed for battlefield situations where the opponent closed past the spear's thrusting range, requiring the practitioner to use the shaft as an improvised staff weapon. Hozoin-ryu sojutsu in particular developed extensive shaft-based techniques complementing the thrust.

Is the Spear Sweep legal in competition?

Traditional martial arts: legal — Practiced in traditional kata/forms and weapon-specific competition under var…; IWUF: legal — Legal in wushu taolu if applicable; HEMA: legal — Legal in applicable historical weapon categories

How dangerous is the Spear Sweep?

Danger rating 9/10. Extreme — spears, halberds, and naginata; maximum reach with lethal cutting/thrusting capability

How do I set up the Spear Sweep?

The standard setup chain: Grip and Stance → Chamber → Strike → Recovery.

How do I defend against the Spear Sweep?

Standard counters include: Beat Parry — deflect the blade with a sharp lateral beat before it reaches target / Displacement — move the body off the line while threatening with the point / Counter-Thrust — extend into the attacker's line during their advance.

What are the variants of the Spear Sweep?

Common variants: Overhead strike (bringing the staff down from above in a vertical arc); Lateral strike (horizontal sweep targeting the ribs or head); Thrust (straight thrust with the end of the staff); Butt-end strike (striking with the rear end of the staff at close range).

How effective is the Spear Sweep in competition?

Spear sweeps are featured in wushu gun-shu forms competition and demonstrated in sōjutsu at koryū events.

What are common mistakes when doing the Spear Sweep?

Top errors to watch for: Using the sweep as the primary attack — the sweep is a setup technique; the thrust is the finisher / Sweeping without a follow-up thrust — the opening created by the sweep is brief; it must be exploited immediately / Sweeping too widely — an exaggerated sweep leaves the fighter open to counter-thrusts during the recovery / Not using both ends of the spear for sweeps — limiting sweeps to the blade end wastes the butt end's potential.

What are other names for the Spear Sweep?

The Spear Sweep is also known as Yari Harai, Spear Sweeping Action, Yari Nagi.

spear sweep weapon polearm sojutsu spear sojutsu hozoin-ryu yari harai spear sweeping action yari nagi