Saber Forum

I figured I would give this thing it’s own thread since it is a neat idea. Those who already posted theirs in other threads, feel free to paste them here as well. For those who were not in on the original conversation, Venturous and Ryan recently suggested this challenge and I thought I would give it a shot. After seeing another user’s video, (I tried to find it but couldn’t so please forgive me fir not remembering who started this off) Venturous suggested the idea of 5 minutes of footage without using one of the most popular saber spins. This is my 5 mins of practice time without using the obi-ani spin. Since that spin is used a lot to change directions or set up flips, I focused on both without using it. Decided to hit it with a filter because, why not? I find the trails make it easier for me to follow what I am doing on the playback.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_piuQORM-k

That filters incredibly distracting.  And it makes you look like the Marlboro man.  I might try this but I doubt I could fill 5 minutes without flowers.  I’d end up just juggling the saber a bunch and repeating moves.  I did enjoy all the lunges and stabs!  Really good stuff!

Nice. Great filter. My attention kept going up to the clouds, almost mesmerizing. Master Venturous threw up the challenge. I posted a training video that was for my J.o.E. club and shared it. Our Form V Djem So / Shien freeform. ( I say ours because I refuse to use the current " Standard Key " for Forms translation. We use Kali and Meihuaquan. Not that the other is wrong, just different, we use most of the stances and footwork. Though I focus on Diamond/Triangle footwork in my group. )

Anyway, lookin good!
We start Filming soon, so im back to lurking.  ;D ;D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDmJg8wKymc&feature=youtu.be

I considered just doing an Obi ani for 5 minutes.

Dude, that is hilarious! ;D ;D ;D I keep watching it and busting up. I think this is my favorite of all your videos, and perfectly captures how I feel about this challenge. Bravo!
Here's my sleep deprived 2 minute 55 second contribution to this mess you've gotten us into. Saber drops, back attacks plus foot flips all free of charge. ;)
"The greatest teacher, failure is." – Yoda

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nJqZ7QwFyg&t=3s

Haha, that was great. I thought at first that you were just going to stand there for 5 mins, and not do anything. Both of which would have been hilarious, but I think yours is better. :D

I love the under-leg pass you did. Most impressive. I would say if anyone wants to go above and beyond for this challenge, you have to add the stipulation that you only get one shot at filming it. No edits or second takes. You get one shot at filming it and whatever is produced gets uploaded. Let's see those mistakes!

🤣 that’s awesome! Kind of underscores my apprehension in attempting an actual (non-fruit ninja compilation) honest try at the challenge.  5 minutes is a long time, dude!!😬


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 Although I failed to make it even a full 3 minutes (let alone 5) I found this challenge extremely helpful as a beginner.
I just picked up my saber for the first time since I tried the challenge and I feel like I have a lot more control and I'm finding myself doing everything a little different and adding more strikes, aerials, hand transfers and footwork than before. It really helped me to expand on what I was doing, and how I was thinking about my movements. Plus it feels awesome to do an eclipse again. :) I think I'll take some time every practice to not do an eclipse so that I'm forced to think outside the box. Now I'm going to challenge myself to do 5 minutes at a time strictly with my off hand.
I'm also going to try 5 minutes at a time without figure 8's (or orbits?). I figure since I leaned on those so much instead of the eclipse, from now on I plan to temporarily remove whatever I tend to do the most to keep things interesting. Thank you Cephalus and Venturous.
I hope more people try this and post their their attempts at least. I look forward to seeing someone actually do the full 5 minutes in one shot.

That's what this challenge sought to achieve. I wanted people to think outside the box and challenge themselves try going without leaning on what can be considered a crutch. Moving outside our conform zone is the only way we grow.

Today’s the day! Filming at the studio this afternoon.  Gonna make this challenge my...well i’m gonna do it!🤙🏻


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here we go! if anyone finds a fail-spin, go ahead and call it.  either way this was 5 minutes straight, no stops, and with as much fluidity as I could muster without a single blossom, flower, or eclipse.  cheers!! ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pj2kDU6RU7Y

Nicely done. I didn't see any eclipse spins (though I may have missed it if there was some).

I don't know...that move at 1:47 looked an awful lot like a reverse grip eclipse. I thought the flow was on point though and the reverse grip work is smoother than mine.

 Epic!
This is great if for no other reason than I don't think I have seen anyone do 5 straight minutes of spinning even with eclipses.
I already really dig your style, but it's interesting to see it change (in an awesome way) to accommodate this challenge.
I see several new things I want to try in this video. This is why I enjoyed trying this, and why I hope more people will.
Do you feel like you learned a lot by having restrictions on what you could do?

I'm obviously not the one to make the call on what you did at 1:47, I trust Master Venturous, but if that's a reverse eclipse I've been doing them wrong. It's highly likely that I have.
I like the strike that follows at 1:49. I would like to call that a "Krayt dragon punch". Shoryuken! :)

That move was totally a bail from ALMOST hitting a flower 🤣 it took a lot of concentration to not use them, and i did ultimately really dig being pushed out of that comfort zone.  It was fun, and i dug the workouts(two  short take fails, and another full 5 minute where i left frame for a few seconds) and many many thanks for the compliments, Master V!

And yeah, Gar- that move made me think Dragon Uppercut for sure!  It may or may not have been an inspiration on past practice occasions🤙🏻

Thanks, TR! Always appreciated😁


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Good job with that. I know what you mean about the bail. I had to do that once or twice too. There was a point in mine where I was heading into one and I had to dead stop the saber to avoid it. Frpom now on though, I think a revers grip plum flower with a pivot should only be known as a dragon uppercut.

Just a dragon uppercut, or a Kryat dragon uppercut?

Thanks, DC! Means a good deal😁.  I’m down with a reverse grip flower being the kryat dragon uppercut🤘🏻- i may just have to try and work in an arial pivot to give a little more homage to Street Fighter😉


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Thanks, DC! Means a good deal😁.  I’m down with a reverse grip flower being the kryat dragon uppercut🤘🏻- i may just have to try and work in an arial pivot to give a little more homage to Street Fighter😉


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I tried to watch that vampire-series (Twilight?) with no Eclipse but the whole story made no sense...
Or is this the wrong thread?!...
 ::)

I don't think skipping any of the twilight movies could really be called a challenge. Watching them might be. If I were a cruel man, I would challenge people to watch the second one without fast forwarding. I don't know that it can be done if one is to preserve one's sanity.

I will not be participating in this challenge. My sanity is questionable as it is.

I, too will respectfully decline this challenge.  Not for sanity’s sake- but because i don’t want to have to clean up projectile vomit from my entertainment wall👍🏻


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 I still can't believe more people haven't participated in this challenge. I tried. I failed, yet I learned. I also learned from watching the other two people that participated. I would still like to see more attempts at least. If you cant do a full 5 minutes,  just post what you can do.

didn't go 5 minutes, but my " Battle Meditation " video has no little flowers/plum blossoms in it on the first two Sets. Which is about 4 minutes long or so.  ;D

I'll give it an attempt this coming weekend, one clip beginning to end :)

That video is actually what made me think about trying to revive this challenge. If I didn't already say it, that was an epic display.

thanks! I think for the 5 minutes I will go Spear mode. If I had a US Renegade, I'd use that. Next order perhaps.

I'd say for our next challenge (if it hasn't been done yet), you have to make another 3-5 minute video using only your non-dominate hand. To add extra challenge, it must include at least two aerial throws.

Ooooohhhhh....🤔 i like that.  But let’s be honest, 3-5 with even just my dominant hand would be tough without any hand switches and single hand throws. 


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what if we're ambidextrous? do we do the "tie a rope to a saber's hilt swing it around and try not to die" thing?

Hey we all need to start somewhere.

Or end. Abruptly.  With a brief sizzle followed by a fleshy “thud”🤣


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nah, I'm such a knucklehead it wouldn't be a "thud" it would be more of a "clack"  XD

Nailed it!!🤘🏻.  I’ll be posting it once i get home to my WiFi😁  3+minutes, all with the non-dominant arm.  Spins, strikes, “tired arm technique”- it’s all there🤙🏻


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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pefrI9E_toM&t=9s

only took two tries, and was a good work out!

Nice work! I thought you might be the first to do this. Solid time too. :)

Thanks, dude- friggin killer on the arm, though! Let’s see some more tries at it! Cough*Master Ventrous*cough*Darth Cephalus*cough*Ryan*cough*Sam* sheesh, better get a drink of water😜


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I am on this. I should have a chance to film a video Tuesday afternoon, so expect a video Tuesday evening. You know, if this challenge stuff is going to get to be a thing, Maybe I shoudl make a section for it in the sub board so that we can keep it all together.

ambidextrous, so im passing on the " off hand " challenge. Took me years to get that way though. Good stuff Elwood.

recorded this before a film session for Relic Wars. Best I could do with the time I had.  The QRC is starting to feel like my own personal style. Really comfortable with the basic transitions I use now. No Little flowers or Plum Blossoms. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9l3N7TV7Rg&t=4s

Another great video by Elwood. Inspiring to see you all work.

Ryan, again, love the spear work. I really need to get a 24" blade to use with mine (then actually start trying to use it). I'm a little jealous of your ambidexterity. I'm working on it, but I'm not there yet. Loved the throw at the end there. ;D

Awesome! I love seeing your videos and the way your martial arts training is so perfectly applied to the lightsaber.

Werd🤙🏻 i always feel like i need a notepad when watching😁


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Here is my only attempt at it. It was definitely harder than I thought it would be (that's what she said).

Edit: Just realized the video is only 2:55, soooo....FAIL!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DS7kWlnwja4&feature=youtu.be

lol.  0 for 2 Venturous.

I'm good at issuing challenges, not doing them apparently.

3 minutes? One take?  No mess ups?  Can’t do it.  Not with my right hand.  Well I could, but it would get awfully repetitive without any hand changes.

Alright, I tried it.  It’s repetetive, I botched a few times, and I went to the Master Venturous school of timing things apparently.  To be honest I think I’d struggle to fill 3 minutes of interesting spinning without any hand changes regardless of which hand I’m using lol.  Maybe I’ll give it another shot later.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DabYdGE_4RE&feature=youtu.be

Just realized the music and movements are epic, sooooo....... WIN!



Nice! I never knew you were left handed. Still wouldn't have been able to guess.

I just think it’s rad that you guys did the thing and got some fresh footage in😁🤙🏻  I give Master V props just for attempting this one indoors!  If you didn’t notice, i totally knocked my glasses off (and scooped them up) while doing this slightly unwieldy wield.  If i had been indoors, i’m sure i’d have broken something😬 And Sam, i agree with Gar, your moves are still smoove like butter even with your off-hand🤘🏻


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Still you guys look awesome even if you do have a hard time doing it. I would like to know what the exact rules are for this challenge. Are eclypse spins allowed in this challenge? Also, does someone have a tutorial or description of aerial throws? I think I know what they are, I'm just not positive.

Yes you can do eclipse spins in this challenge. This is the challenge as I issued it:
Film for 3 to 5 minutes using only your non-dominant hand. You can do anything you want, as long as you do not use your dominant hand at all.

As for the aerials, an aerial is technically any move where you let go of the saber and catch it either in the same or opposite hand. I've done a video on the basics of them here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjJpPj0t7-o&index=24&t=524s&list=PLtxs8UJy21n7Sbsd1qRzzLrZO8zVh9mp_

Thanks for the video. That's what I was thinking, but I wasn't sure if there was actually some certain throw that was an aerial or if they all were.

Non dominant hand challenge. This video was originally about 10 minutes long but I edited it down to fit the song (and because it got repetitive). There was one drop I edited out when I discovered I could not do a neck wrap with my left reliably, otherwise it was straight through until my right hand finally decided to get apiece of the action. Not my best nor my cleanest work but I got sunburned doing it, so that is worth something I think.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-izEmAO_P8

I'm no expert, but after seeing this video, I think you could make quite a name for yourself in the saber community. ;)
I can see that I really need to focus on my foot movements (or lack of). What music is that? I like it.

Dig it, DC!🤙🏻  I think one of the hardest parts of the challenge was honestly “what the heck do i do with my dominant arm?!?” 🤣🤣 seriously, all throughout my right arm felt totally awkward.


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Yea, I started off trying to keep mine behind my back and look dignified about it, but before I knew it was out front making like Mr Burns again.

🤣 right?! Perfect visual!


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