practical difficulties with this theory also include the fact that, in a shoving match, an eight-foot spear is too long to fight effectively or even parry attacks. spears enable a formation of men to keep their enemies at a distance, parry attacks aimed at them and their comrades, and give the necessary reach to strike multiple men in the opposite formation. a pushing match would put enemies so close together that a quick stabbing with a knife would kill the front row almost instantly. the crush of men would also prevent the formation from withdrawing or retreating, which would result in much higher casualties than is recorded. the speed at which this would occur would also end the battle very quickly, instead of prolonging it for hours.