Saber Forum

I've got a pile of recordings of my attempts at learning this move.  I'm still working on it, but I thought I'd go through and show it all here.

My first attempts with my staff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIxYPSsqQxo

The goal was always to do it with a single blade saber, so this became my primary focus.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-epF6dKJj8

Progress started to happen at this point
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvsLSIYBeaU

So at this point I'm able to do the move, but I'm at a record of 3 in a row.  I moved on to a longer 36 inch blade on my Sentinel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taiuMwNz1PM

Then I learned how challenging this move can be in the dark.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yghzeklN0Rc

(Reached the embed limit)

I managed to pull of 5 in a row at this point, but I haven't got video of it.  I'm still not hitting it consistently.  I'm at this point trying to figure out cool ways to combo into it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spBoUqUbfv0

And if you're still watching, thanks! Lol. As you can see, I'm still working on it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mZW9Azlp_4

Thanks for posting Sam, its neat to see your progression. Gives the rest of us hope to possibly try coming close to your spinning  :P

LAK is right: outstanding work, Sam.  Seeing your progress is an excellent motivator to--if nothing else--try  ;)

Having said that: you have incredible spinning skills  ;D

Agreed. It actually gave me motivation to actually learn technique over just random swinging.

I appreciate the positive feedback.  I think it's important to show where you've failed and not to just show where you've succeeded at doing something.  If you'd have told me two years ago when I started out doing this stuff I'd come this far with it, I'd never believe you 😆

great progression vid's! Your a quick learner. Keep at it my friend!

So I'm using a 36 blade now and I'm not hitting myself in the head or launching the saber across the yard like I was.  I think that counts as progress.  Also I'm able to pull it off with different hilts.

I will continue to practice this move until I'm able to hit it every time on command.  I can't remember the last thing that gave me so much trouble.

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk5q07gvbb0

Impressive. Most impressive.

One question....is this called an angel roll or angle roll?

Angel

Angel like an inhabitant of one of the moons of Iego.

Thanks for the clarification. Again, excellent work. I don't care what Taegin says about you. :P

The move is typically done with a staff, but the single saber version looks so much cooler in my opinion.  You have to give it a second look because it doesn't seem possible.  I'm not s huge fan of the style but this is the sort of move I've needed to finish a single saber sequence as sort of a cherry on top.

It does at that, considering that the balance is completely different than a staff. I kinda kept looking to see if the blade touches you at all. I was hugely impressed that it did not.

I use to think this kind of thing was absolutely absurd, as it served no function in battle. But after a few years I came to the realization that it's psychological. It tells your opponent, "Look at my skill with this weapon. See how at one I am with it. Now imagine how I can use it to kill you and soil yourself."

It doesn't really serve any purpose other than to entertain, which is what I aim to do when I'm cosplaying.  That said, I've done pretty well in duels but the skill sets are mostly unrelated.  I'd even say it has the opposite effect, most people in saber clubs scoff at this stuff.

Actually, spinning absolutely serves a function in battle. MeiHuaQuan uses the Plum Blossom as a key component to offensive and defensive skill sets. Its meant to keep their opponent off balance because once the blossom is mastered you can literally attack from almost any angle while generating immense amounts of momentum. This is typically with a staff and/or spear. One of my peers is pretty good doing it with a sword, but range is one of many weaknesses if you spin your weapon. ( Spinning has more weakness than benefits in most cases....especially when your opponent has trained in their art for many Years and has a strong understanding of rhythm and timing. )

I personally use it as a P.I.A. (progressive indirect attack)
Getting a reputation in my club for dual wielding and using 6 counts from kali with a blend of the little flower( that'd be what the Obi-Ani is called in MHQ). Very high forearm/leg hit success rate :) .

As for your Angel Roll Sam, not something I'll be working on but seeing your progression is inspiring. Definitely falls into the contact techniques..

My angel roll will distract you and when I mess up my blade will go launching off my arm and kill you.  I'm telling you, I wish I was recording some of these bloopers.

When I said mostly unrelated I was more referencing the aerials and hand changes, the incredibly impractical things I do for entertainment value.  I like these moves because it gives the feeling of using The Force, even if that force is gravity.

The dude is the finest spinner in this Forum! Period.

Far from it.  As far as forum members go Enso blows my mind and I pretty much learned everything I know from Venturous and Cephalus!

I do appreciate it though 🙂.

Man, your vids are more than impressive ... and very inspiriting ... have my thanks and a XXL point ;)

Love this series!!

Here's some stuff I've been doing.

This was a saber I got for Christmas and I'm finding it handles well for executing this particular move
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3vuuwEWQH8

Playing around today I wanted to try some high throws linking my angel rolls together
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNawYpYUBYk

Here's a bit of practice with my short staff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAHz1xiUNao

I even left my blooper in there for you guys.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDLOHLxYU34