 Another reason is because it has distance. This is the longest distance from you to your attacker. Notice that he's stretching out his hand out completely. Even if he turns it, it's the same distance. Doesn't matter which way he turns it. Okay? Now, look at my fingers. I can reach his eyes, but he can't reach my face. The reason is because when you open your fingers and you open your hands, you have an extra 3 to 4 inches distance and length in your spear. Most people will punch and will not use a spear. So when you're doing this you have that extra advantage of using the maximum distance of your weapon, which is your spear hand.