Weight and grip of sarissa and shield in macedonian phalanx

[Paralus]

So what does "couched" mean in this context?

....except this might be a 'loose' translation. I'd suggest we look at the Greek word before considering the issue 'clinched' :wink:

…êlalazon kai hama ta dorata kathiesan

…raised the war cry and, at the same time, lowered (or let fall or couched) their spears

Now, prior to this, the order had been expressly given to “keep their spears on their right shoulder” (dorata epi ton dexion ômon echein) and then, on the signal to lower (kathentas) them for the attack.

Clearly if the spear is rested on the shoulder, lowering it for the attack means dropping it off the shoulder and carrying below the shoulder – “couched” in an upward angle as in the art above.