Anyone who uses polearms, from pikes to tridents, know that it is to their advantage to keep their enemy at a distance and to thrust at them as they try to close. If done correctly, one can safely from a distance, and strike their foe from one side and push the haft of their weapon so the business end comes out the other side. Enemies are much easier to deal with when they are lifted up off the ground on a eight foot spear placed right through their midsection.