Useless shield move?

So I use the spear sometimes, and when I do, I can't do the area attack where you hold to spin attack... instead, it holds my shield up, with the attack power meter kept at full white. I can walk and quickstep, but it doesn't let me attack until I roll or kick. It can't block projectiles, regular attacks, or kicks or rolls. With other weapons, I can only use this move when I'm frozen by a staff. Even then, it doesn't do anything helpful.

Soooo yeah.