Book of the Spear

The Book of the Spear is the primary collection of illustrated teachings used by the School of the Spear, part of the Schools of Combative Arts. As with other Books, they spout a collective, often anonymous authorship spanning several generations, and focus on stances, forms, and other practical guidance.
The Book of the Spear seeks to convey martial components: stances, forms, and strikes. Particular combinations are then left to the individual practitioner under the guidance of mentors or the School, though certain commonalities exist and are often taught as basics. Combinations are typically taught in terms of 'sequences' and can range from simple to complex, in the same manner that lexis and grammar form a sentence that can also range from simple to complex. In this case, the simplest sequence consists of Stance > Form > Stance, or Stance > Form > Strike > Form > Stance.

Stances

These are classed as either guard or transition. Guard stances are designed to be held in a stationary position until necessary to move; transition stances are recognizable, temporary positions linked by forms. Both types can be used in defensive or offensive movement -- they serve as start points, end points, and the framework in which strikes can be performed.
Broken Bough -- Guard
Weapon held diagonally across body with blade near ground; typically two-handed but can be one-handed.
Resting Scythe -- Guard
Weapon held diagonally across body, hands on lower third and blade on opposite shoulder.
Cornered Lion -- Guard
Weapon held horizontal near face with blade directly forward.
Stubborn Root -- Guard
Hands evenly spread with blade horizontal or near ground, aimed back.
Ready Scythe -- Transition
Hands on lower third resting on shoulder, blade directly back.
Stonegrip -- Transition
Weapon held diagonally across body, one palm out, one palm in.
Horizon -- Transition
Weapon held horizontally across body, palms out.

Forms

These are smaller martial components, used jointly or singly, and concern styles of stance transition. However, proficiency with forms is the foundation for learning strikes, as strikes are often evolved forms or utilize them. A form of mild martial meditation for a practitioner is to simply move through stances and forms without strikes.
Sculpt -- A dipping curve.
Sand -- A complete spin.
Dancer -- Any change of footing.
Darter -- A sharp twist or turn.
Bow -- A drop to one knee or both.
Spring -- A jump of any height.

Strikes

These are movements specifically involving the weapon for purely offensive purposes (though many maintain that proficiency with some can also be used as a competent defense). Strikes are woven in between stances, either between forms or on top of them. They are generally classified by the type of movement first (e.g., 'a Thunder Strike'), and then broken down into particular strikes.
Sunray -- A thrust with the blade of the weapon, usually a single movement.

• Advance/Advancing: Stab forward.
• Recede/Receding: Stab behind.
• Soar/Soaring: Stab upward, usually from a kneeling or laying position.
• Dive/Diving: Stab downward, usually from a jump or when mounted.

Gale -- Smaller cuts with the blade of the weapon, ranging from one to several movements. They are designed for opportunism or to slowly bleed out an enemy.

• Drake Spittle: A dozen cuts at minimum aimed at the upper body.
• Child's Tongue: A sudden, single cut anywhere on the body; can be used in warning, to goad, or as an expert debilitating or killing stroke if properly applied.
• Pelting Rain: A steady application of five or more cuts, usually interspersed with forms. Most often seen when driving an enemy back.
• Shackles: Precise cuts aimed at the wrists, Achilles' tendons, and sometimes throat.
• Icebite: Any number of cuts aimed at the face.

Thunder -- A thrust with the butt, shaft, or back or side of the blade of the weapon.

• Horse Kick: Using the butt, single.
• Tumbling Stones: Using the butt, multiple.
• Scholar's Rod: Using the back or side of the blade, single.
• Cat's Paw: Using the back or side of the blade, multiple.

Moon and Clouds -- Larger curving sweeps and spins, with 'moon' being the former and 'clouds' the latter.

• Full Moon, River's Current: One-handed, wide full circle sweep with blade, low to or on ground.
• Full Moon, Wind's Current: One- or two-handed, wide full circle sweep with blade, above the waist.
• Half Moon, Dawn Fang: Two-handed horizontal half-circle sweep with blade.
• Half Moon, Dusk Fang: Two-handed vertical half-circle sweep with blade.
• Half Moon, Dawn Claw: Two-handed diagonal left half-circle sweep with blade.
• Half Moon, Dusk Claw: Two-handed diagonal right half-circle sweep with blade.
• Clouds, Mountain's Crown: Full spin of any orientation, one- or two-handed; designed for intimidation and flourish.
• Clouds, Raging Storm: Forward-advancing figure-eight spin.
• Clouds, Retreating Fog: Backward-retreating figure-eight spin; designed for defense.
• Clouds, Sky's Thorns: Crouched position, shaft spun across back; designed for defense.

Type

Manual, Military