The first technique is awesome sensei! A move which can let you mask your following movements while attacking the opponent within range. Restricted only to short range, a huge bummer, this jutsu can be used to keep your opponent at a distance, while attacking them, as well as allow the user to possibly escape in order to create some distance. A move I will keep in mind while fighting.
The description of the second tech was kinda tricky but I think I got it. So basically the creation of the iron spike happens within close range of the user, making this move very lethal for unaware opponents within said range, but can also be used as a projectile that fires off at opponent's within mid.range. I like this move bcz one can create said iron spike within mid.air or wherever in short range since one has to gather the sand into one.