Saber Forum

Ladies and Gentlemen, Jedi and Sith, and any grey area force adepts in between. :-D
I would like to issue a fun challenge to any of the non master members of the forums.

We all became addicted to ultrasabers because they are THE combat lightsabers, we can duel with them! I want to see more saberwork from everyone.
A lot of the videos we all see from fellow forum members are spinning videos, which don’t get me wrong, are pretty epic (like the jar’kai obi-ani spin we recently saw...mind boggling)
And we all love to dissect the seven forms of lightsaber combat in the way of the saber threads, and we all love to watch videos with lightsabers....its an addiction really.
I think it would be brilliant to see more videos from everyone, all skill levels, all styles. Our lightsabers are not for show, they are for use!

What I am proposing, is that everyone start making an effort to document their practice, not an entire session mind you, but small clips, thirty seconds, a minute, two minutes whatever. As long as we all do it on a regular basis, document it, put the date in the title, who you are and what style you are going for.

We are part of one of the most amazing online communities I have ever encountered, everyone helps everyone out, that is so so so incredibly rare these days.
So lets help each other out with this. Take your videos, and post them up on a regular basis, every week, two weeks, a month, as long as its consistent, because it gives us a good record of progression we can all look at. Dont worry if someone is better at one thing than you, or you cant quite pull off a move you have been working on, thats what this is for. Sometimes a couple of words of encouragement can push you to try harder, and really excel at what you are attempting.

Try to work on the practical side of it, lightabers are weapons after all. Make it showy, it fits with some syles, thats cool. But make sure it has some practical application too so that you can use it in a duel.

Have some dummy work, shadowboxing, heck a short clip of a multiple strike combination you have been working on.

Another added bonus, is that this is going to give the resident masters more to look at, to help guide us along. That is what they are there for after all, to teach. And the more consistent progression they can see, the better they can guide us even farther on our path.

Here is my youtube link, I try to toss my forum name into most of the titles, and try to label the other guys in our group as well, since they don’t have their own channels
http://www.youtube.com/user/durzoblint09/videos (http://www.youtube.com/user/durzoblint09/videos)

Post your own youtube links directly into this channel, make sure to date any videos you take. Everyone can find your entire channel by following the link directly to youtube.

 
Lets see what everyone can come up with. Ive already talked to a couple of the masters before issuing the challenge, they seemed to like the idea.
 
May the Force be with you

Yeah this does sound interesting.  I'll be looking forward to seeing what gets posted here.

Of course everybody remember, safety first!

Agreed, safety comes first, we dont want any missing limbs, or broken digits.

That being said, anything goes dueling, freeform kata, any of it. As long as its something that can show progression.

Ok, here goes.  I'll be filming and posting a clip tonight.  Have fun everyone!

http://www.youtube.com/user/AiurWarrior1/videos (http://www.youtube.com/user/AiurWarrior1/videos)

Awesome Kaiden, cant wait to see further posts, try go get some in good lighting, im bad for it myself but im working on a few ideas to fix that.

Very good idea. A few points:

1. Like Nero said-Safety first!

2. Like I would have said-Safety first!

3. Just a good idea- Safety first!

4. Please refers to Master Cain's video about posting videos- more light!

5. Black is sexy and all, but lighter colored clothing goes a long way in low light. If I can see body mechanics, I can see a lot more.

I look forward to seeing what everyone is doing.

Thanks Master Nonymous.  I'll be sure to follow your advice in my videos.  The current one on my channel is a bit old.

nice vids but some more light  other than that though.....COOL

Thanks darth t. Are you getting in on The challenge as well?

I accept your challenge!

Here is some linkage to my YouTube channel: Solinus' YouTube Linkage (http://www.youtube.com/user/Wyrmsfire/videos)

Right now, I don't have anything up. It's hard to film yourself ... by yourself. I only have my cell phone, which can't take a lot of videos. I usually have to wait until my kids come over for the weekend.

But I DO accept the challenge!

Do what I do when im on my own, find something about waist height to prop your phone up on. Get the video camera app read, find your focus then hit record and go do your thing.

Trim the video down to get rid of the extra bits, and just have hte meat of what you are trying to record.

Thanks for taking up the challenge mate, cant wait to see what you do.

When I get back we'll get some vids going!

Challenge accepted, once my wife and I can get some time off to actually spin a little (and have her film me).  I use katas for flexibility training and a bit of cardio so this would be fun.

Definitely! Hoping to do something tomorrow.

Hardest part for me to do this is finding someone to spare with.
Dont get me wrong fighting kids 10 years younger then me is fun and all but it gets boring when they got to go to grade school -.-
So all I got is swing around in the back yard T_T

Even solo practice works just document it.

No documentation unfortunately. We had six people out.

We taught for about an hour, some basic shii cho to the three newer folks. Then it started raining so everyone went home. Shouldnt be a problem in the future, one of our guys just bought a house in the area with a double wide garage, and 10 foot ceilings.

After that, one of the guys and I went to al local high school and were dueling in front of the main doors, as they have a large area with an awning so we didnt get soaked. This was at about 11pm at night so we didnt disturb anyone.

However a car did drive by, and stop to take video (we could tell because of the recording light on the camera) We are currently searching facebook and youtube to see if the video was posted anywhere, they drove off before we could ask.

we do however have a photo of our group from last night, that my wife took for us. Pardon the bad lighting, it was pouring rain and it really threw off the flash.

(http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u485/Veldryne/554311_10151810519330258_825575405_n.jpg)


River City Jedi (left to right): Jaq, Will, Allen, Graham, Scott, Veldryne

Great idea, i like it.

Very nice. I havent had anyone to be able to help me take any video, and all attempts to "prop" my phone up have failed.

The Force is NOT with me.  :(

Hopefully soon though.

Its cool mate, I look forward to seeing them.

For the forseable future, my videos will be of my interpretation of Ataru, as im working on creating it as a form, as per my post in the ataru thread.

Untill we have the final version of some of the techniques, this will be the only glimpse im giving everyone into how my work is progressing. I put in 2 hours last night of saber work, going to put in another two it looks like tonight.

I look forward to seeing your results with Ataru!  It'll be interesting to see you move outside your current comfort zones of Shii-Cho and Soresu.

Yup, especially since you are helping me develop it lol.

Well, here's my first one.  Just a short spin for now, but I'll upload some more soon.

Nicely done, good controll at the higher speeds. I didnt see the trajectories waver very much at all, showing good consistancy.

Maybe work on pulling one saber out of the spins for a strike, and then working it back into the spins. All while having that offhand still continuing the same motion.

Just something I think would be cool to see.

I've tried pulling it out for a strike a couple times, but so far it upsets the rhythm too much to get it back in.

lol, as quoted so often on the forums

slow is smooth, smooth is fast

try it at like quarter speed

Did I miss something? I can't see any videos.

Can you repost?

There is a technique. Practice the major and minor orbits and try stopping them by squeezing your saber in your fist sharply and quickly. If you try just on one side with one circle at a time you can then figure out how to integrate them better. There is a video in the works for this but it is further down the queue so I thought I would give a little tip here.

The video is linked on his YouTube channel at the start of the thread. I asked everyone to just post their channels rather than each video to keep it a tad more organized.

I will stand and accept the call, though my was stolen I might be able conjure something up that could still be useful. Just not right now cuz its 1030 at night and im tired but I'll be on with some vid

Awesome kaz, I'm super excited that this is catching on. I cannot wait to see how everyone explores and expands their own skill.

Double post but now that I've showered and rehydrated...

2 hours of prelim work developing Ataru tonight....I know I'm onto something when I hurt all over lol. Sleep time now.

Oh! My mistake! Sorry about that. Will go look!

Ah, nothing like a challenge going up the day I go out of town.
Once I get caught up on post-trip tasks I'll see what I can pull together.
Still no saber of my own so I'll be using a stand-in of some kind once I get this rolling.

Sweet! I can't wait to see what you come up with!

Ok, one of the Padawans has accepted the challenge: Mr. Ben Wyngaard doing his Soresu.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTzWCy9gL-M#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTzWCy9gL-M#ws)

Give my regards to the padawan, his soresu is most impressive.

tell him

"I shall be watching your career with great interest"

very well done.  He has good control.  But can he apply it in combat?

That's one thing with soresu I have discovered, it can be tricky to apply the spins In combat. When it's done right though it is an absolute beauty to behold.

Well, I uploaded a new video from the other day.  Working on some old striking patterns from my training.  A bit rusty, but they'll do for now.

No physical work for me today. But a fair bit of mental. Spent an hour on Skype chat with master bony minus discussing my concept for Ataru and explaining my vision for it. I'll have a pic of my hand written notes up tomorrow.

Killer, we'll have to set up one of these chats soon.

Agreed, perhaps a voice chat with all three of us at once to more readily share ideas on the form.

He did say multiple times though that he thinks I'm on the right track with my concept.

Keep in mind, my concept revolves more around a qui gon form of Ataru, yes spins will be there, not nearly so many jumps, dives and flips. Moreso manipulating body kinetics via a strong and stable footing.

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Therefore using the legs you can propel yourself forwards or back, to the side, using that follow through and that opposing force to drive an attack.

Manipulation of a standard attack into something else. The lead up looking nearly identical to that very basic attack, but the end result being so very different. Change in angle, apex of the swing, power, speed, everything.

Yeah definitely... Really it all flows together... Qui Gon's Ataru really isn't different from Yoda's Ataru. The techniques are there, fluid motions utilizing an innate knowledge of body mechanics. This can translate into efficient movement, minimizing the need to block while maximizing your chance to hit your enemy, which can be achieved by footwork bladework, and in advanced scenarios or for those who have the physiology for it... Acrobatic movement.

Master Nonymous, please pass my applause to Ben for his magnificent portrayal of Soresu. It really is a thing of beauty. Very well done.

"bony minus"- haha. I think auto correct didn't like my name.  :D, Perhaps that should be my Jedi name. "Minus, Bony Minus".

Good work.
My suggestion is to focus more on lower body work, stances, root, footwork. I see a lot of work happening in the shoulders and not much in the body. Bend the knees more and sink into a deeper stance and your mechanics will start to improve and you will be able to get faster.

Again, good work.

Some sketches and notes from my conversation with darth nonymous last night.

The sketches of the stances are all based on body positioning by obi wan and qui gon in episode 1.

(http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u485/Veldryne/3.jpg)

(http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u485/Veldryne/2.jpg)

(http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u485/Veldryne/1.jpg)

(http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u485/Veldryne/5.jpg)

(http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u485/Veldryne/4.jpg)

Ok, I'll try that!

Careful what you take from the films. Much of it is for film and not combat. And Liam Neeson and Ewan McGregor are not paragons of athleticism or technique.

oh i know

i sketched those out mainly so i had something to look at and disect, see what looks like it could work, and try it outdiscarding what doesnt feel right

Veldryne,
Would it be helpful to have some still images of these positions and stances from a source with an actual background in martial arts, instead of basing your sketches on actors with limited training for movie fights?

It would, any resources I can get my hands on. The movie stills are more to give me a reference point to keep somewhat the look of the form so if we do a demo, someone who smdoesnt swing some form of blade around a few hours a week can say " oh, he fights like obi wan"

So be honest I find his one stance very comfortable, and I feel like I have a lot of attack options that spring from it. But yes any full body stills you would like to take would be wonderful so I can get a few more line drawings done.

I know I've barely started delving into Ataru and have a long way to go, but I'm thoroughly enjoying the experimentation.

A little bit of work tonight. Videos should be up tomorrow. First freeform attempt at some Ataru, I'm having some difficulty still committing myself to the swings. More solo practice should help that. I'm really pleased with my footwork though, my balance seems to be getting better and better.

That's definitely something you'll develop in time.  Especially considering your earlier focus on Soresu!

Updates for River City Jedi are up on my youtube channel now. A bit of staff work, a tiny bit of dueling, some freeform videos.

I was pretty bagged last night and didnt have a ton of energy, so we only did about an hour of work with just a couple of us. That and im not sure what the heck i did to my left hip, but its been bothering me pretty good the last day or so.

Channel link is at the top of the thread, but ill just pop it up here again so you dont have to go hunting.

http://www.youtube.com/user/durzoblint09/videos (http://www.youtube.com/user/durzoblint09/videos)

I subscribed! Just another source of learning for me!

I saw that, thanks.

I'm no master by any means, but Ill do whatever I can to help and try to take videos of specific things. You have me on Facebook so feel free to shoot me pms on there and I'll do what I can to help

Ok, I've got a short clip to share.
Primarily I wanted to get my feet wet in Windows Movie Maker and this happened to be a handy clip I'd shot as a test of my cell phones camera.
So several tests came together and I get to share this as a result.
One of the best things about this is seeing where my own errors are. I need to rig up a better stand to hold my phone but it's much easier to adjust posture and technique when I can look back at what I was doing.

Enjoy!

http://youtu.be/pPYEmdTUI18 (http://youtu.be/pPYEmdTUI18)

I saw this in the other thread and dropped a boat load of questions for you. Point to you for the excellent video!

Alright, finally worked up enough nerve (and found some free time) to get in front of the camera. Tried a little bit of freeform with single saber and staff. I've really only been at this maybe 15 minutes at a time for a couple nights a week by myself. I have yet to really settle into a style. At least I took the video during the day and y'all can see and comment on my tree-stumpy footwork. :D

Single saber freeform (http://youtu.be/QtgvVFnf3QQ)
Saber staff freeform (http://youtu.be/rKxpaUO2VKg)

It's a good first start. Try to spend 15 min each day on master nonymous shii cho videos. Do a different one each day.

Try to work on more attacks and parties than spinning so you have a foundation for meet ups with other forum members.

Keep up the good work mate, the staff spinning was pretty good. Can't way to see more videos.

Very nice. Good work. And THANK YOU for doing it in daylight!!! ;D

I have to say, it looks like your strikes are doing pretty well. Other than the times you hit the ground (happened to all of us) they seemed very controlled and clean.

Take some time with the orbits. You don't have to do them so fast, try to do it smoothly. I would suggest that you try to keep the weapon foot forward and feet planted as you do them. Do the large ones as well. People never spend enough time on the large orbits, but I think that might change when the Ataru stuff start hitting the tubes.

Footwork: Try keeping it simpler. Go forward and back and stain just a small area. It's not as "tree stumpy "as you think. Just try to stay lower and don't rise up. Pretend that you are doing it under the blades of a helicopter.

With the staff, I think you intuitively found the secret there the first time you did a behind the back. You were standing  to the side and it really got moving. Here is a secret to the staff. Do your behind the back spin (minor orbit) bit keep both of your hands on the hilt as you do it. You tuck one end under your armpit and turn it and do the same thing on the other side.

Again, looks good! What are those gloves you are wearing? They look like they are protective but it hard to really see.

Thanks for the pointers. I've been referring back to Nonymous' shii-cho videos pretty regularly, doing them a few minutes at a time. One thing that I know I need to work on is pacing, I can start off slow but always end up getting ahead of myself and going faster, which is part of why I keep bouncing to the sides.

 The gloves are actually just some really old Nike batting gloves I dug out of the garage. Hadn't used them in like 12 years since I stopped playing baseball, but surprisingly they still fit.

Hake, you did a really awesome job man. Please, keep it up! I was very impressed with your behind the back spins. You look like you got those down! One thing I'd like to echo is the footwork. Early on, I squared off with my feet side by side like you. I found that turning my body and trying to move was very awkward and cumbersome. At one point you seemed like you had a good stance and your spins were the best at that point.

One thing that I found that I had problems with was just trying to figure out what moves to do, when to do them, and how. I regularly watch Master Nonymous' videos and practice those at least once a day. I'm talking the basic strikes like the Sai, Cho, and Shiim. I've actually found that my favorite strikes are the rising versions of the Cho strike.

Another thing that really helped me was the pictures that Darth Cestual posted in the Shii-Cho discussion thread. I have the first two pages memorized. I found a few of the moves to be awkward for me, so I changed them up a little bit to make them my own. I plan on doing some videos of what I have learned this weekend, if my kids bring their video camera this weekend. Otherwise, I'll have to resort to my cell phone.

Keep it up bud. Awesome stuff!

Well it's not completely saber related but...

Because of the work I've been putting in, I decided I wanted to do a bit motte to get into shape. And one big help with that is quitting smoking.

I smoked from 15 to 19 then managed to quit. And then 4 years later I started up again. I've come close to quitting before but because my wife smokes as well it's been difficult.

I picked up one of those e cigarettes the other day, and have been using it and have got myself down to about 4 smokes a day from half a pack already.

Tge e cigs in Canada have no niccotine which is good. I think it's more the habit of smoking that's prevented me from quitting in the past.

Wish me luck guys.

I'd love to do this, but...

I have no one close enough(except boss, but that is only a once a week during school meet up thing), and I don't know how to do any of the forms. I only due choreographed, which I guess is shii cho, but I don't know. I have no training, so I would end up looking stupid and switch form constantly.

I quit back in April. You know what got me? I was watching Dexter. Season 3. One of his friends was in the hospital dying from lung cancer. She kept going on about how her husband died from lung cancer too and that he went out without any dignity. He had lost control over his bodily functions. He suffered in agonizing pain. She had begged Dexter to kill her so she could die with dignity.

During the show, I looked at my smokes, looked at the trash can, then threw them away. I didn't feel a twinge of regret. Now, my body had other ideas. So in order to keep my mind and body on the same page, I did things different.

I changed up my entire daily routine:
--I got up 5 minutes later in the morning and instead of going outside for a smoke, I made a pot of coffee then showered while it was brewing.
--When going to work, I used to park in a spot near the back of my building so I could have a smoke before going inside. I instead parked on the opposite end and went in the front entrance. That helped me to not think about having a smoke before going in. That, and the receptionist is super cute.
--During my breaks, I bugged the hell out of my friends. Instead of going out for a smoke, I'd go to their cubes and talk. I'd get coffee. I'd talk to my boss.

After a couple of weeks, I kinda.. forgot... about smoking. It takes time. Different people have different reactions to the withdrawal effects. I smoked for 15 years, off and on, but mostly on. The key for me was getting my mind to BELIEVE that I wanted to quit, then changing my routine to match my new lifestyle.

I still have a smoke once in a while, but only when drinking. I have it controlled enough so that I can have a few at the bar, but it wont get to start again.

Good luck to you. I'm definitely rooting for you. Let me know if you need anything.

Been quit of five years now. Exercise is a great one  to help with the smokes. You can go outside and swing your saber instead of smoke.

WE did it this way (both my wife and I did it together): First, no smoking in the house.  Then the car. The here then there then never before a certain time of day. We found that by taking away the places we did it, and making more trouble for ourselves, it help ween us off the habit.

After spending most of the day driving and working a side job, I got home and just wanted to swing lightsabers around for a while. Ended up taking more videos, this time with my phone instead of the regular camera I used before. I think these came out better.

I started up a playlist just for these videos as I start doing more of them.  (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL911A321914ADEF9C)

Well with our little guy, we haven't smoked in the house since he was born (2yrs. Now)

I have one in the morning when I get up usually and then one on my way to work. I've cut out one of those now. And then I would have one on each of my breaks at work. I've cut out the two on my 15 min break. And kept the
One at lunch. One when I'm off work and one right before bed. Any others I've cut out and it seems to be working so far. See what it's like in a few weeks.

Got in about an hour and a half of work last night, no videos this time, sorry :-(

I showed a couple of the guys the shii cho kata that i adapted from something NYJedi did at one of the cons, but I added footwork and movement to it to help the newer guys find their balance.

Then we did about an hour of sparring. When we spar its interesting, we go about half speed (though sometimes we speed up without realising it) and if one of us misses a block or parry, or the strike feels awkward, we tend to stop and retrace our steps figuring out why it was wrong.

It works pretty good, provides some really good insight, and has helped improve our defenses substantially.

I'm proud of you Veld, keep up the good work with quitting smoking!  Looking forward to seeing that adapted NYJedi form sometime.

Hopefully i can videotape it in daytime this week, and get it up on youtube. They also have a soresu one that im going to teach myself, that was also static, that Im going to add footwork to.

Having problems with the movie editor for the camp footage, but here are two of the padawans going at it! Kateri (blue belt)and Ben.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izz3XPSczyo#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izz3XPSczyo#ws)

You can tell Ben I like his combos, and being bold enough to go for the spin. I also like how he measures his distance. You can tell he knows exactly what ranges he is dealing with.

My latest demonstration video, the first version of a Djem So velocity, also added in the Djem So thread I've been posting in: http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=6842.30  (http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=6842.30)


Djem So, First Velocity, Falling Avalanche.
http://youtu.be/Se23Cdmlxwo (http://youtu.be/Se23Cdmlxwo)

As I said in the other forum, this really is a good video. I like everything about it. The music and the way you performed the moves gave it a sort of tranquil or mystical feeling, but I can tell that it's also very beastly when done at full speed. I cannot wait to see more!

I will tell him  about the combos. He will be pleased.

I am actually trying to get him to stop measuring distance that way. He ends up giving his position away and telegraphing his attacks. Kateri is a pretty amazing young woman. She has taken to weapons fighting like a fish to water. You can see how she waits for an opportunity and intercepts the attack. She scored way more hit on him than he did on her (though it's tough to tell from the video).

Notice when he does the spin, she merely goes straight for his open side. Which of course defused the technique. She is quick and decisive and thoughtful. She usually can kick any one the guys around with a saber without doing much. What she has to work on is returning for more than two or three moves. Most exchanges have been short so she isn't used to re-engaging or following long sequences yet. I predict she will be a formidable opponent.

Hrm I'll have to watch again, maybe getbherbdoing dummy work to string together longer sequences, or get used to it at least?

Ok, I didn't know where else to post this so I am doing it here. This is the day two video of the camp. Some great dueling in here. We were just using those little store bought sabers by hasbro. We did not have one breakage! these are pretty tough for toys.

Anyways, all the kids did amazing work. They came a long way. I will  be editing the rest of the week together in a little overview.

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJm3NSl6ff8#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJm3NSl6ff8#ws)

And another short demonstration for this week.
The next in my musings on Djem So thread.

http://youtu.be/pT75beaV-ZA (http://youtu.be/pT75beaV-ZA)

Took another short couple of videos and pasted them together on the 'Tube. I feel like I need to focus on one form at a time but I get sort of scatterbrained about it since I have yet to try anything with other people. Been considering classes with the Golden Gate Knights group just to get some sort of in-person guidance and assessment.

http://youtu.be/H07U0X3_LGg (http://youtu.be/H07U0X3_LGg)

Well, all considered you are doing a great job! The strikes are coming along very well, and your control has improved. Nice work.

Focus isnt great. But you get to see us moving.

Also I tried to go with more of an ataru feel as I advanced. Obviously im the one in costume, as Will always wears his winnipeg jets jersey when we saber. (No matter how bloody warm it is outside)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smbbDSPSIvM#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smbbDSPSIvM#ws)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpnkCZOyjQE# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpnkCZOyjQE#)

Decided to try a little more dual wielding tonight, and by the time I got the hang of doing the double behind-the-back move, it was completely dark. But I took video of it anyway.

http://youtu.be/qaFTa_MylMc (http://youtu.be/qaFTa_MylMc)

When u started doing strikes and parties it looked a lot better. The spins were good you kept them tight and controlled.

I'd like to see more attack routines from you, make some videos soon chaining attacks together slowly and smoothly moving around more like you are in combat so it's not all strait on so we can see how you move.

Thanks for the update my friend.

That's something I need to work on more, especially the part about keeping myself controlled when chaining together strikes. Either I fumble over myself because I can't think of what move to do next or I start going too fast and end up stumbling. I should probably try mimicking reference material first.

I fall under this. I can't chain together moves very well because I never know what to do next.

To help with this, I am trying to learn the velocities that Master Nonymous has put together as well as the drawings that one of our other forum members put together. Once I get these down, I figure I'll be able to do some free form.

Free form is hard to do... compared to an established set of moves in a velocity.

It’s one of the main reasons we sometimes talk about transitioning smoothly between guard positions. There should always be intent behind the movement of the blade, it’s performing some function as it travels.

With that in mind strikes should flow smoothly from one to the next. If you feel you’re having trouble transitioning between strikes take a look at the Cho and Sai strikes from Master Nonymous’ Shi-Cho tutorial videos. Practice until the techniques feel smooth.
http://youtu.be/P2Q65D_Qpmw (http://youtu.be/P2Q65D_Qpmw) - Cho
http://youtu.be/lsFZgDDd2No (http://youtu.be/lsFZgDDd2No) - Sai

When you’re comfortable find a target, something like a wall or tree that you can mark the target zones with post it’s, painters tape, duct tape or something to that effect. Practice the strikes starting with zone 1, going through zone 6 (don’t worry about zone 4 right now). 

(http://i.imgur.com/ye5xK.png) (http://imgur.com/ye5xK)      or if you want a little more "color"      (http://i.imgur.com/aAdbp.png) (http://imgur.com/aAdbp).


Then run through the strikes again, starting with zone 2 and ending with zone 1. Start with 3 and ending with zone 2. Follow this progression until you’re back to staring with zone 1 again. Try running through it backwards.

Zone sequences:
1, 2, 3, 5, 6
2, 3, 5, 6, 1
3, 5, 6, 1, 2
5, 6, 1, 2, 3
6, 1, 2, 3, 5
1, 6, 5, 3, 2
2, 1, 6, 5, 3
3, 2, 1, 6, 5
5, 3, 2, 1, 6
6, 5, 3, 2, 1


Then mix it up. You have a selection of strikes that you should be getting comfortable with and at this point you’ll have been throwing them from a variety of starting and finishing points. Take your time and take it slow.

If you feel like you want to challenge yourself add some Shiim attacks to the sequence: http://youtu.be/5zWa16XYFew (http://youtu.be/5zWa16XYFew)

Great post vor.

Its odd, Ive actually found freeform easier to do than set velocities. With set velocities, or adapting things from videos (like some of the NYJ kata that they do demonstrations of at cons) I find some of their transitions awkward.

As in, it doesnt feel  like it should be the next strike or parry in the progression.

Sometimes that will happen. Some of the stage stuff may not be ideal for the practice. But if you only do what is easy to do in freeform, your fighting will be predictable. The reason some stuff feel good is because it's intuitive. If it's intuitive for you it is also for your opponent. If I am your opponent, I will manipulate that aspect of you to force and opening and strike.

This is why in real martial arts, freeform is usually reserved for more advanced practitioners. We should be able to create sets forms first, than become proficient enough to improvise a freeform. Any body can just swing a stick in the air for 30 seconds. But can you do it where you teach your self stuff at the same time. ONe of the things Terra Prime is trying to do is give people structured tools for learning. Train and error is a painfully slow and unreliable process for one individual.

The fact that the freeform is easier than set forms should be a nudge to get you to go in that direction in your training. Set forms, while vilified by most, are integral and important pieces of training.

This is just my opinion from my years of coaching this stuff.

Understandable, i try to vary the attacks and watch my videos afterwards, if something is lacking, or i see something that im doing that bothers me, i do what i can to change it.

Perhaps because there isnt a ton of kata stuff out there yet. I still do a lot of dummy work as well to keep up practice on my strikes, work on the precision, and working on chaining together 2-4 strike combinations.

This is actually very helpful! Thank you! POINT!

What I am looking at getting next weekend is a martial arts training dummy at the local Big 5 sporting goods store.

They're cheap, durable, and quite lifesized with proper proportions.

use coloured electrical tape on it to mark off the target zones and angles of attack

And points to you for making that suggestion! Good call! Thank you.

its what i did with teh training dummy i built

Most of Master Nonymous's Dulon and Acceleration videos are kata. My two Acceleration videos are kata, just really short.

Another consideration:
Take any of those video accelerations and practice until it's comfortable. Do the sequence and when you get to the end, without pausing, turn 180 and do it again. When you reach the end going that way, turn right or left 90 degrees, repeat. At that end turn 180 and do the sequence one more time.

Just some thoughts on how to take existing sequences of techniques and turn them into structured exercises to help you get used to moving and striking at the same time.

Yeah that's a good idea, something I sorta do anyways since it was drilled into me years ago. I tend to advance In a strait line, ten paces ten strikes. Turn around and do it again. Cycling through the various shii cho strikes as a warm up.

This weeks contribution to the challenge, also posted in my thread on Djem So: http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=6842.30 (http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=6842.30)

http://youtu.be/AfqfUwWtnU0 (http://youtu.be/AfqfUwWtnU0)

Excellent! You couldn't put it down, huh? Or was that earlier? lol

oh yeah,

Check your email.

Epic!!!! Thanks for the contribution!!

How you liking the Dominix v3??

That was so awesome! I can't imagine what that would look like going at full speed! Point to you Master VorNach!

Actually that was something I shot Sunday evening, still using the borrowed Initiate.
I had my wife try out the video on my phones camera to become familiar with it.
I didn't originally intend to film anything for posting purposes. I was exhausted after SCA fight practice earlier in the day and was just walking through some sequences.
However after looking through the clip I found that small section that looked ok and I wanted to keep my weekly posting trend going for the Saberfit Challenge.


Glad you enjoyed it.
I am really liking the Dv3. I'll experiment with a different pommel at some point and I want to try some experiments with O-rings on the handle for both color and improved grip. Add to that all the blade options with the color disks and I wont be shopping for a new saber anytime soon when I can keep re-customizing this one.

yeah i found on mine, rather than buying a different pommel, i bought like 4$ worth of leather shoelaces, and "whipped" the last couple of inches of the hilt. It widened it enough

http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u485/Veldryne/ea4b943c.jpg (http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u485/Veldryne/ea4b943c.jpg)

thats a double length, i actually took half of it off to give it a more pommel like feel

no glue or tape or anything used, and 2-3 months of hard use later its still on there

I would love to know if you find a good source for any colored O-rings outside of TCSS. I have yet to find any local sources out here in CA, and online seems to be either super-bulk suppliers or craft sizes that are way too small.

http://www.oringsusa.com/ (http://www.oringsusa.com/)
http://orings.com/ (http://orings.com/)
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/o-rings/supplies/hardware/ecatalog/N-9c3 (http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/o-rings/supplies/hardware/ecatalog/N-9c3)

Gots ta luv the interwebs  :P

I've seen all three of those sites but have yet to dig deep enough to find ones in green and purple that would fit both outside diameters of my V3's. :(

I expect I'm just going to buy black O-rings and use a little bit of spray paint to play with coloring.
Kraylon makes some really good, fast drying, multi-surface spray paints that will probably work well for this.
After I dig through Master Nonymou's links that is.

Thank you Veldryne.
I think the awkwardness you are feeling highlights the importance of practicing a pre-set series of moves, whether you call it a kata, a form or acceleration. There is intention behind the progress of these sequences and learning that intention is important to improved understanding of the weapon, the technique and the art. Also, by practicing the transitions become less awkward, then become natural allowing an expansion of what you are able to implement when you do engage in free-form practices.



Being methodical may be helpful at this stage. Chain together a sequence of attacks, move slowly through and pay attention in the transitions. Change the sequence, and see what happens in the transitions. Refer to the training material that is most helpful to you if you feel anything is not working.



Nice work and a great idea! I’ve got enough scrap and leather lace in my workshop that I should be able to do something similar. Time to go and ponder! (A point for you sir!)

So, is anyone still posting? I haven't seen any updates here for a while now.
In any case this is the worst quality video I have posted to date. It was getting dark as I was shooting, faster than I realized.
Which was ok because I wanted to see what the Adegan Silver blade looks like in the dark.

http://youtu.be/EriQPJCsxbM (http://youtu.be/EriQPJCsxbM)

That being said this does tie into the Djem So thread (http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=6842.30 (http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=6842.30))
where I will also post the link and some comments about what I'm doing in the dark.

I haven't been able to post because the weather has not been helping here in the peg. 32c plus humidity for the better part of two weeks. Even after dark it's too humid to do anything.

I did manage to work on training my padawan for a couple of hours. Primarily working on his defensive reflexes and making sure his blocks and parties were right.


Drawing heavily from the terra prime shii cho videos.

Great video though mate, really shows the blade colour off well. Makes me really excited to build my saber in the next couple of weeks. I'm going with adegan silver as well.

Only 32c? It's been 34c-36c and I think we're due for about 38c later today.
Though it's all relative.  ;D
Stay in the AC if you can.

Thanks, I'm really liking the color. Though I'm itching to try out the color disks, I just haven't had time to really play with them since it arrived.

Lol humidity my friend it makes that 32 a lot worse.

39c today with 86% humidity here in A2.

This is interesting, as I have a few freestyle/training videos on my YouTube channel.

I'm in.  ;D

I've been meaning to try making a new video but I've been really busy with work and by the time I get home I'm either dead tired or I've got other stuff to do and it's dark by the time I get outside. :(

im going to have to find a way to do solo videos on my own and edit them down, so im not always worrying about having one of the other lads present

All my videos have been using my cell phone, just propping it up on something nearby. Then I trim off the dead air walking in and out of frame after hitting the record button. I do wish the mic on my phone wasn't so sensitive, it picks up my breathing from far away. >_<

Speaking of videos, I pieced this together. It got darker sooner than I expected so the first two clips are a bit grainy and dark. The last part was intentionally in the dark cause I was messing around with spins the other night.

http://youtu.be/6vPYG6nrhvc (http://youtu.be/6vPYG6nrhvc)

I found a setting on mine that let's me turn off the microphone.
What model phone are you using?

Very nice! I am impressed with your progress! The strikes are looking clean and purposeful, you aren't rushing it, and you are really getting the idea with how those spins are really used.

Kudos!

so ive been reading this thread for quite some time now.  i and several of my friends have ultra sabers ourselves and are stepping up to try this.  as soon as i am able I'll post videos.  i am currently the only one with any martial arts background, how would i approach the idea of being any sort of a teacher?

Get on the absolute basics. Get all the guys in your group to watch the shii cho videos by master nonymous.  I'm in tge exact same boat as you ate for that. Use each video as a sort of lesson plan. Focus on each one in order only covering one of the videos each time you guys go out.

Encourage them to practice at home with the videos as well.

It's a Droid RAZR with Ice Cream Sandwich on it. The camera app doesn't have an option to mute the microphone in videos. :/

did another hour and a half at the park last night with a few of our guys, started some choreo

other than that (its not ready to be filmed yet)

we have a bit of video with one of our guys with his new staff

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asZxN4EyhuA#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asZxN4EyhuA#ws)

But if you are using Windows Movie Maker, there is the option to turn sound off in the video. It's how I get rid of the noise from the video so I can play the music without having to blend the two together.

As far as videos go, I am unable to take any without help from my kids, who I only see Fridays nights and Saturdays. I beg for more time with them, but their mom keeps them from me because she knows it hurts me. Plus this way, she can ask for more child support when we go to court.

Anyway, sorry about that...

So I want to get some more videos done at the beach. But with it being summer time, there are more people there and it's harder to find parking and stuff. But there are other options as well. Just need to work them out. As soon as I can, I'd like to post my Shii-Cho progress.

cant wait to see how you are doing solinus!!

I would have done that, if Windows Movie Maker accepted .mp4 files from my phone as a valid format.  >:(

What?! It accepts the format from videos from my phone...

Are you importing the video files directly into WMM straight from the phone? If so, try moving the files to your desktop first, then import into WMM. Oh, also, what version are you using? I think there is a new version.. Windows Live Movie Maker... that seems to be more accepting of video file formats.

I had them on my hard drive before trying to import them, and I had downloaded the latest version I could find from Microsoft, so I'm not sure what's wrong. I might look into it further when I get home from work.

Convert mp4 to AVI:
http://download.cnet.com/Pazera-Free-MP4-to-AVI-Converter/3000-2194_4-10784027.html (http://download.cnet.com/Pazera-Free-MP4-to-AVI-Converter/3000-2194_4-10784027.html)

Yeah, this is a good alternative as well.

Apparently I did not have the Live Movie Make version, just the older WMM. Installed the Live version and that actually works. I will have to keep this handy now for clipping together future videos.

Yeah, I ran into that when I first started using it. I realized that I was using WMM which does have nice features, but what I needed to do required the updated version.

See! I AM useful mom! ;)

Woot! Great workout tonight! Videos up tomorrow, a mini documentary about some choreo we are working on, can't wait to show you guys!

Alright, in the wake of a rather "full" weekend I did not come up with my weekly contribution to the challenge.
However I did happen to get some video the other night of a different sword group I play with, so in lieu of any lightsaber contributions I give you the English rapier:

http://youtu.be/aGgIl6jqBYM (http://youtu.be/aGgIl6jqBYM)

That was actually a lot of fun to watch for some reason.

Well as promised, some great videos for everyone.

Choreo practice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j680rMoOyaM#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j680rMoOyaM#ws)

Lord Xylos Freform
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zarl372Zpy4#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zarl372Zpy4#ws)

Tract Freeform
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhceJrKDJ9E#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhceJrKDJ9E#ws)

Veldryne Freeform
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xm--Eug5flg#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xm--Eug5flg#ws)

Excellent form V! Your turns and changes are coming along.

Nice vids, you guys sure know what you are doing!

If i have to be honest i liked Veldryne's the best, It looked controlled, good rythem and a good buildup, not just speed and spins. I take notes for myself from this one! Hope i can make my own vid someday, when im more...skilled with the saber!

Keep it up =D

CbrS*

Thanks master nonymous, I felt more soresu with it but it's good to know that the Ataru is beginning to show.

CBrs check out our whole channel. We have nearly 50 videos on there now.

Hehe it's nice to have fans.

I really enjoyed these videos guys. You all did an awesome job.

Heh, "V" referred to you Veldryn. Yes, I see very clear Soresu practice here. Using the spins as changes of direction rather than as flourishes. Very nice indeed!

ahh okay that makes way more sense then!

I cant wait to start doing these videos with my custom build

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIFrs7CvPXc#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIFrs7CvPXc#ws)

Video of light sparing after escrima training.  Will try to get some video of some of our training exercises if my teacher agrees.

What kind of gloves were you both wearing?

They are from Kombat Instruments Limited (www.bloodsport.com (http://www.bloodsport.com)) similar to hockey gloves but not as bulky.  Just checked their site and it doesn't look like they have them for sale right now.  They only have the KIL light gloves.  I want to say they were $35-$40 when I bought them.

I've been wanting to try out Mylec Street Hockey Gloves but can't justify it right now.

http://www.amazon.com/Mylec-Elite-Street-Hockey-Gloves/dp/B001HDI1S2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1343819036&sr=8-2&keywords=mylec+hockey+gloves (http://www.amazon.com/Mylec-Elite-Street-Hockey-Gloves/dp/B001HDI1S2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1343819036&sr=8-2&keywords=mylec+hockey+gloves)

Did some work tonight with my apprentice. Tract is really improving a lot. And we did some blaster deflection.

As you can see at the end of his video....the force is strong with this one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AIDMEP4Op4#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AIDMEP4Op4#ws)

And some of me, using my new custom build. Still green blade, the AS led replacement should be here by the end of the week.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKZ99duvZ94#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKZ99duvZ94#ws)

I've been falling behind on practice lately and I don't like it. My backyard space is being eaten up by stage construction for a Burning Man music theme camp, and work is super stressful thanks to 1/3 of my office being out on medical leave for a few weeks during the busiest time of year. (That's 1/3 as in one out of three. Small office.)

Excellent, I love seeing people using appropriate safety gear.
The street hockey gloves would be good but perhaps some face protection first?

Well done. (Point!)

The street hockey gloves would be good but perhaps some face protection first?

[/quote]

Agree.  And a cup.  I do have a fencing helmet.  We weren't using any face protection since it was "light sparring" and head shot's not allowed.  We've only done full speed, open target with "soft sticks".  Below video is from  stick fighting tournament but gives an idea of what we mean by full speed.  We are supposed to be playing "blade rules" but it turns in to whack-a-mole.  I only show the first 10 seconds because I end up gassing out and losing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-Nq23fEKbs#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-Nq23fEKbs#ws)

YES! All great advice! I like the tourney but sympathize with the whack-a-mole effect.

Darkside point.

;D  A point for you sir.
Whack-a-sith?
Whack-a-jedi?

It looked like a fun event there.

Went to the monastery ruins tonight and we did some work for more fight choreography for comic con.

We are doing it in smaller sequences of attacks and breaking off. We are probably going to try and add a couple more in, but you guys can watch a bit of our practice. We were out there for about two hours.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrmhgq-WAKg#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrmhgq-WAKg#ws)

So after a month I finally got off my butt and had enough ducks in a row to put a video together. Tried some djem so after watching Vornach's video a couple times. I can't help but feel like I was kind of sloppy because I spent a couple hours doing choreography work with the Golden Gate Knights today. I got to be Vader in some ESB re-enactment and my new saber (which is not an ultrasaber omg don't freak out y'all) is quite on the evil side in appearance. One day I need to bring my flipcam with me to a class.

Anyway enough rambling here's the video (when it's finally done processing after like two hours so far).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xCOmtEVhQY#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xCOmtEVhQY#ws)

Nice hake, everything is looking smoother and smoother. Keep it up!

Very nice. I would like to hear VorNach's opinion. I am seeing his influence.

Me too, I think that was a pretty good demonstration.  I won't lie, I watched the video before I read the post and my first thought was "oh we have a Djem So guy here..."  I'd say that means you captured the essence of the Form at the very least.

The second part, with the green saber, was much more flowing.  Was that just free form, or were you doing a version of Soresu?

Yeah, I was trying for something like Soresu in the middle section there, though I'm finding that fluidity is not one of my strong points. As for the Djem So, I actually have had no formal weapons training, but I have played many racquet/stick-to-ball sports and I almost felt a bit of my golf swing in some of those movements.

Yeah I can see that.  I haven't played much golf, but I'd imagine the swing technique would have many things in common with a two handed cut - using the whole body to provide power.  The fluidity of your middle segment was good though, and you seem to take to free form rather easily.  I know that sounds minor, but it's actually something quite a few people have trouble with, giving themselves over to instinct and just going with the flow.

I also like how you paired up the sabers with your style - the red Sithy blade with the aggressive Djem So and the green blade with the passive Soresu.  I admit I do the same kind of thing - I get a red blade in hand and feel like I need to channel Vader or something.  Actually, ever since ROTS I feel the same about blue...

you channel vader because you are a giant lol, not because of the red blade

Actually, the pairing of sabers wasn't so much as the color but the balance. The red saber (my Dark Lord Relic) (http://twitpic.com/ajvyc5) has a thick-walled blade, and combined with the slightly top-heavy hilt design, the balance point is about three up the blade from the emitter. It felt a little better with the Djem So motions. It also helps that I wanted a red blade for that hilt since it's supposed to be my Sith character's saber for choreo.

I also took some long exposure shots again because I like looking at the blade motion in one reference image, though the red blade (http://twitpic.com/ally2v) didn't show up as well as the green blade (http://twitpic.com/ally3h).

Oh shush you :P



I know exactly what you mean.  My GB Redemption is a pretty hefty hilt, and as such I have a 36" UEHG blade in it.  It's definitely my designated Djem So hilt lol

I still think I need to balance out my Dark Lord Relic with some extra weight in the pommel, and maybe put a different blade in it, but otherwise I'm liking how a heavier weapon feels for the power swings.

 OK


Hake,
Nice work, you sports background does serve you well in terms of delivering committed, whole body cuts and maintaining a smooth continuous action through each motion.

The fluidity you show in your second segment shows the concern you’re not very good at it is not entirely the case. I would encourage you to work on integrating that stream of motion when you try the Djem So inspired work you are doing. You have a good handle on elements that I haven’t talked about much yet; keeping the blade between you and your opponent or returning it quickly, with power, when you take it out of that line. Fluid motion will enhance this process.

Things I would encourage you to look at as you continue to work on this are posture/body positioning and footwork. I don’t have any specific references to these in the demos we’ve posted so far but those elements are present in the demonstrations if you look beyond the weapon movement.

Master Nonymous is working on a basic footwork tutorial which will apply directly to Djem So, (along with everything else we've been talking about).

Thank you for the feedback. In regards to footwork exercises, is that something that would be better practiced indoors? It's kind of hard to tell from the video, but the area in my yard that hasn't been taken over by building materials and Burning Man supplies is very rough and uneven (I actually tripped in a couple other takes that I deleted from the final edit). I guess in a way this is similar to the question I posed for this week's Q&A session about exercises in limited space.

Footwork is a tough thing to practice in many situations where space and even ground is very limited.  It's useful to practice outside on the uneven ground because you get used to dealing with the ups and downs you'd have to deal with in a duel - like many things it's better to practice in a more difficult setting so that you're prepared for anything.  However, I would say that safety is paramount.  You don't want to risk tripping and falling into some kind of saw or other dangerous implement, which is what I'm picturing based on your description.

A large space is ideal obviously, so you can get the full range of your footwork, but it can be practiced indoors as well.  Of course, then you're risking breaking something in the house... for many of us guys that invokes another safety hazard commonly known as "female rage" ;)

It is true, footwork cane hard to practice for folks with limited space. But, always being able to do your footwork drills in any space is a great learning tool. You don't need your weapon to do that. I hope to have the stupid footwork video done by this weekend. I am behind in many things.

My friend and me practice and duel on a BMX stunt track. major hills, stones, very uneven ground. makes for a very ineresting duel! although not when people are using it, thats just dangerous.

That would actually be a really fun place to practice to be honest

Newest updates from River City Jedi

We did a little bit of work last night, got a quick clip of tract working on his shii cho, and then another freeform dulon from me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2L08ykqNN0#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2L08ykqNN0#ws)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKq-BnjTp3I#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKq-BnjTp3I#ws)

I will take up the challenge as well. I tried to shoot a vid today, but ran in to some challenges. I don't have a saber yet and am using a boken currently so my weight and balance points are a little off..

My youtube channel is here: http://www.youtube.com/user/daveowned?feature=guide  (http://www.youtube.com/user/daveowned?feature=guide)

There is a video on there of some free form Ataru done by a friend of mine. The lighting is not very good though. (I am a member of the river city Jedi as well)

Thon is actually part of River City Jedi, so im sure a few of his vids are going to end up on our feed as well.

Update, found camera Droid and tried again.

It is pretty rough, and I don't really know if I have an actual form currently.

I threw in some of the basic blocks and strikes from Master Artorius Vidnyl's guide at the end.

here's the link it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKXGU32-wXU#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKXGU32-wXU#ws)

Thanks for sharing Thonolan!  Always good to know Veldryne has another member to add to his crew ;)

Here are some of my thoughts on your video.

First off, don't worry too much about a particular Form defining you.  My approach is to start with the basics - both Master Nonymous's Shii-Cho and Master Artorius's "Basics Thread" are fantastic ways to begin.  From what I saw you execute your attacks with a great deal of strength, which can be a good thing, but for now I would focus more on control.  As Artorius demonstrated in his video, being able to halt your attack is something that's important to practice so that you can remain in control of the blade.  This is going to be paramount to learning the basics, as you want to build a good foundation before moving to forms which emphasize great speed, strength, or fluidity.

Essentially, the basis of Shii-Cho are what you need.  Veldryne has learned a great deal about this Form and can work with you on it using the two sources I outlined above.

Also, I noticed you do like to use one hand at times.  This doesn't necessarily put you in a specific Form, as most can be executed with a single hand, but it does merit consideration for the future.

Keep up the good work!

Thanks for the feedback. Yeah, I am mostly a one handed fighter using my second hand when necessary for adding sufficient power to blocks and/or attacking. it adds an unknown element to those that need to defend.

It is a lot different swinging a saber as opposed to a boken as well, I am sure that my overall form will be different once I am using the saber,

I planned out pieces of that form and the flourishes and orbits come somewhat natural to me. My biggest issue is that I tend to attack from right to left a lot more often and I am trying to adjust as I go.

That's natural, since you're right handed - right to left cuts are a more intuitive action, and therefore are more likely to be overused by someone starting out.  I'm sure once you get your saber you will be practicing left and right, as you find you're addicted to the thing...

At least that's how most of us feel  ;D

But it's a good start!  Just work on the control, performing the basic cuts and blocks over and over again.  Eventually they will become natural, and then you can work on the more flavorful Forms.  I wish I could tell you there's a nice easy way, but it's truly the best way to approach something like this - if you've seen the Karate Kid just think of this as your "wax on, wax off" training ;)

Own all three real Karate Kid movies. I definitely will practice. Saber hopefully arrives on Wednesday.

saber here, some work with it on the Tubes!

! Private video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CS6zwhYLcwo#)

some playing around mostly, I did about 15 minutes of Dulon work after I was done with the video. This was mostly just to show off the new blade.

Nicely done on both. I'm glad we have more people share their work.

If I could offer one observation: I suggest that you focus on one handed techniques for now. I notice when you change to single handed, you attacks are often off center and have what we consider "flail" after the strike. This leaves your left side wide open and your body mechanics suffer a bit.

On the other hand, when you are wielding two handed, everything look very good. Your strikes are clear and relatively clean. There is none of the flail or dropping off center. Two handed is also the prefer grip of Shi-Cho, and I have agree with Master Nero, that is where you would do well to place a lot of attention.

Again good work. I look forward to more videos.

And Point for doing one in good light.

Owe sore. I just finished my first session of a new workout plan. Very very sore core right now. Probably doing another set once the rugrat is in bed.

I know it's going to help the sabering overall as I keep doing it.

You're not doing sit up or crunches are you?

No weird twisty stuff I've never seen before holding my body off the ground and not letting it sag, basically only using my abdominal muscles rigid.

Situps are garbage. I've known that forever.

Good.

There is simple equation to protect your back. When you are under load (holding a contraction like not letting your body sag) the spine should never twist or bend. If you drew a rectangle from out shoulders to hips, those stay in line while tense. Twisting, bending and other things require relaxation. Other wise our are putting tons of compassion on the spine and then moving it under that tension.

TPLA will be doing a live show on conditioning and exercise to keep everyone strong and uninjured. I have at least one big researcher lined up to come and present.

Nice ! Looking forward to it. My stomach mucked hurt like I've been kicked by a bantha lol. I'm going to do the workout three times tomorrow since its just a short 15 min one. Same sunday and Monday, then switch to a different one for a couple of days.

You might want to take it easy and let your body adapt a bit. do something different then get back to it when you are fresh. Or just do it a bit easier. There is no reason to huff and puff or feel sore after a core work out.

Periodization and rest are the most important and are almost always neglected by people.

Be like Jackie Chan,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osw-XJyC35M#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osw-XJyC35M#ws)

Except for the sit ups.

All observations are welcome and encouraged! I will spend more time with them. I noticed myself that when I was attempting to "swing and stop" as opposed to allowing myself to flow the flail happened more. I will work on changing my rotation points to bring them in closer to my body, which should stop the flail and allow me to control my body a little easier.


I cant help but feel like my saber hilt is to short for a dedicated 2 handed style, my hands are fairly large and they are nearly stacked on top of each other when I use both hands right now. I am ordering some parts from TCSS to extend the length of the hilt for that exact reason (also to make it look pretty :P)

Again good work. I look forward to more videos.
hehe, it was pitch black outside! All that light is from my saber, the thing is monster bright!

Try doing real eases and seeing the slash as more of a two hand assist. that way you can let go and place your hand back on when the mechanics count.

As far as the one handed bit, just try to keep it on the centerline as much as possible.

How long is your current hilt?
D_Nonymous and I have had numerous discussions about what's comfortable or not. There seems to be a middle ground of about 12" that most people find comfortable for 2 handed hilts but it's always subjective.

I am currently using a stock initiate V3, which sits just about 10 inches. my top dominant hand sits at the first choke point witch is about an inch and a half in (can't find my measuring tape) and my hands are about 4.5" wide. in order to 2 hand they are stacked one above another.

I think having about 12"-14" of room would be Ideal for a 2 handed approach (which is what mine will be with the extension and new pommel).


The only time I can remember being comfortable wielding with 2 hands was when I dueled a friend and held a nodachi sized Bokken. Partially because of the weight, but the overall length of the hilt gave me so much room for activities.

also - Just wanted to put a shout out to Master Nero for the Makashi video. I've been studying it and used it at our session last night. It really messed up my usual sparring partner to have me switch from a very Juyo-esque attack to a parry/counter mid match.

I scored quite a few hits being able to switch between techniques.

He is a very fluid and aggressive fighter so my movement with him needs to be bang on.

There's nothing a teacher loves more than knowing that his instruction helped somebody.  I'm glad to hear it worked for you!

Even if you're not a Makashi practitioner, many of the techniques I was demonstrating can come in handy.  Adding them to your repetoire of moves definitely makes you more versatile, and therefore unpredictable.  I hope to make some more vids in the future to try and reinforce such concepts, as well as introduce some new ones.

Without actually seeing what you're describing it sounds like 14" will work pretty well for you. I would suggest you get a pommel with a larger diameter than the hilt assembly; it serves as a sort of backstop to help prevent your hand from sliding off. Also if you cup the end of the pommel in your off hand it can allow a good grip for some blade manipulate techniques.

a couple new clips from tract and myself from last night

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFyZrEVzkHY#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFyZrEVzkHY#ws)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxFD3GD_1D0#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxFD3GD_1D0#ws)

Very smooth and clean V., really nice work.

I'l throw this up here as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjaGIW69QkE#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjaGIW69QkE#ws)

I just made a public facebook organization page for River City Jedi, share the love and spread the word


http://www.facebook.com/RiverCityJedi (http://www.facebook.com/RiverCityJedi)

Also, the organizer for the local comic convention just contacted me and has asked if our group would like to do a demonstration at the con!!!

"World Famous NY Jedi" - love it!

Gonna add this page to your entry in my updated list :)

awesome, thanks stil!!

First Makashi training video. I watched Master Nero's video in the fencing thread, and some other rapier based fencing instructional videos, then stepped outside for a short romp in the yard.

This video is after about 10 minutes of working. It isn't really a Dulon per say, just me throwing out block/riposte, parry/riposte and some of the spanish fencing techniques that I really have not learned properly :P

I definitely blow a couple of blocks in the middle when I am attempting moving parries (mind said "lift blade, step under, swing" body said "me go forward, ug")

anyways, without further ado:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAx_ntYG5NM#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAx_ntYG5NM#ws)

I look forward to feedback and constructive Criticism.

Hopefully tomorrow during our RCJ group get together, we can get some video where we are actually moving/putting this in to practice.

Really well done thon! I can't wait to see you use that in practice tomorrow. I really like the wide party while moving laterally and then moving into a thrust. That was actually really slick, keep it up!!

Agreed, it's a very good vid.

First off, I'll say that you did a great job with the lighting - you found that perfect spot where we can see your body well enough for critique while still allowing the lightsaber to shine in the dark.

Second, I must say that your Makashi work is very impressive.  You seem to have really picked up some of the techniques (I see the basic parries from my Makashi basics video in there!) in very little time.  Well done!  Your low parries are very smooth and seem to adequately cover the proper range, though your side parries are just a bit high.  In this case simply lower them a bit so that you're only moving laterally and not up (from the en garde position I mean, when your blade is pointed at the opponent).  This picture shows what I mean in a fencing scenario:

(http://employees.oneonta.edu/bidwelps/phed160/images/moves/Vs.%20Parry%204.JPG)

Just take note of how little his blade is moved out of the ready position - the small motion allows for a quick parry and a near instant riposte, and these are things that give Makashi an advantage.  You really only want to move the blade as much as you have to, any more and you're just wasting time and opening yourself up.  I noticed your high blocks are quite high as well, maybe just bring them in a little so that your blade isn't so far removed... it'll especially come in handy when your opponent attempts to deceive you, as you can recover and execute a second parry quickly and easily.

On that note, I must say that your transition between parries is very smooth, which is good.  As I said, in the case of a feint you want to be able to move your blade effectively to position it in the right area, and footwork helps this a great deal.  Also, your stabs are very crisp!  I would just keep practicing them until your lunge and recovery becomes nice and smooth.  I'll put up a lunging tutorial sometime soon to give everybody a little more instruction on that particular technique, since it's so important for a rapid and effective attack.

Finally, I'll add that it's important to execute the bladework of Makashi with the arm, mostly the wrist in fact.  You don't want to get too much body involved with that aspect, as it will throw off your technique and prevent you from achieving the precision you want.  Using the body to dodge is fine obviously, which you're getting good at.  However, the less muscle you use for parries and attacks the better, as it will keep your motions smaller and more efficient.

Again, well done... you're learning very quickly!

I need to get off my ass and back to the fencing yard. Also need to get off my ass and get my fencing institutor certification. Since I went from Beginner fencing to fencing with the people who had been for 8 years in the matter of about a week and a half.  :-\

Thanks! I found a happy spot where the yard lighting still keeps everything fairly well lit. Most of my practice happens at this time of night so I need that light so I don't blind myself with my saber.
Thank you for the tips and compliments. I started with your video, and added a few of the movements I saw in the videos I posted in the fencing thread. I am going to develop a Dulon to flow through defensive patterns in all of the en-garde positions. I really like to start in 4th for some reason (likely because it is high and intimidating). I am finding it difficult to adapt my parries from a blade to blade Sai block (which is my first reaction from my time spent with a bokken) to a side parry with a slashing riposte. I am getting there, just need to muscle memory it out.

I need to practice sitting in to my lunge more, and executing it higher on the body, I nutted someone tonight. :(

I agree with that, my shoulder was very sore directly after I made this video and looking back on it now (after reading this) I see a lot of places where a simpler elbow rotation or roll of my wrist would have achieved the same thing with less motion and strain on my shoulder. blade placement is huge as well, to learn to keep my hilt more toward the center of my body unless circling for a slash.
/bow thank you Master.

Some work from saturday night, master nero has already seen it on facebook.

Really loving the AS shock, really really loving it


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhXQ8393Aqg#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhXQ8393Aqg#ws)

I've been training myself this summer and often recording 3-5 minute sessions.

This is the first video I've made that I would be proud to show the forum. I wasn't sure exactly where this should go but this thread felt appropriate.

http://m.youtube.com/results?q=ultrasabers%20training (http://m.youtube.com/results?q=ultrasabers%20training)

The progression in terms of dates goes from- Silver-red-green-blue
And then near full costume (got the gloves next night) was the most recent.
I decided i wanted to be a Sith Lord for Halloween early this summer and this is the journey I've taken.

I don't have any willing regular sparring partners but there are a few neighbors that have stopped by to check out my sabers and play a little with me. I usually try to teach them a spin they don't know.

Enjoy the video- I made it entirely on iMovie from my iPad and th music is from a theme as well.
May the force be with you.

I try to really be more combat than show oriented...but damn if I'm not envious of your controll and coordination when dual wielding.

Very well done sir. Points and I'll subscribe to your channel.

A Little offering from the Padawans:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RUrK0gL4Ww#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RUrK0gL4Ww#ws)

Love all the videos everyone is posting. The TPLA padawans kick butt.

Here's a recent video from one of my Filipino Martial Arts teachers.  One day I'll get video of him with ultrasabers.  In this video he is demonstrating economy of movement and reach.  Instead of blocking a strike, the goal is to be out of the way with as little movement as possible.  In order to do this, you need to be aware of the distance and reach of yourself and your opponent. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZbZPHreRqg#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZbZPHreRqg#ws)

Distance/measure is such a fun concept to work with.
Point for the excellent video Darth C!

Some chore from tonight

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlldURAhRaE#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlldURAhRaE#ws)

I didn't have time to read the whole thread as I'm at work right now, but I'm definitely interested in this.  Personally I like the concept of Shien/Djem So, so I'll probably follow that thread as well.  But I'll definitely try to take some videos to post here, though I don't own a video camera, so it'll all be my crappy cell phone camera.

phone cameras work fine, all my videos are taken with my iphone 4 camera

Well, I just made my first video.   It's on my channel here (https://www.youtube.com/user/Oramac6876).

There's only 2 videos so far so it should be easy to find.  Please keep in mind I'm incredibly new to all this.  Never had any formal training, and only some informal training with a bokken one of my roommates had a few years back, plus watching a few videos here.  You might notice I don't have enough room in my apartment for this.  I'm still figuring out how to get a stand for the phone to work outside. 

Your spinning is actually very good, especially for someone with little experience.  One tip I have is to keep practicing to try and develop more control, so that your motions are more consistent.  You want to move as little as possible, instead letting the blade do all the work traveling around your body.

Hey mate, just a heads up you may want to adjust the sensitivity on your soundboard, it takes a while I got mine set up so I can throw my saber into the air and catch it without a clashing sound rarely does it not clash when hit against another saber/object however.

Takes a lot of fiddling but once it's set, IT'S SET.


You should try the clockwise version of that.

dont throw your saber in the air, it leaves you open to attack and isnt worth it just to look cool

It depends on what you're going for.  If you wanna make a flashy looking choreography, it's not a problem (though I don't care for it personally).  However you're right when it comes to martial combat - it's basically a useless move.

Yes.

Sorry, no way do I use that for dueling it's just a fun badass thing for an idle stance if your waiting for others etc........... practice with a stick so you don't break your saber if you want.


Looks esspecially badass if you can flip and catch. idle stance. sik.

Any way you can elaborate on the lack of movement?  All the videos I saw recommended using the shoulders and elbow to move rather than the saber itself.  For example, to get it to spin behind my left side I have to turn at the waist/shoulders a bit or it hits my left shoulder.  How would I do that without moving?

you just dont want to over do it. You do use the shoulder and waist to push the saber through, but if your arm is relaxed and springy, you actually have to move them a very short distance. don't flair around, tighten up through the torso and relax a bit.

I would say that you stance should be more angled toward your open side. So that you lead foot and lead shoulder are the same. That should allow you the range of motion to do the move without disconnecting the arm from the body. That is the real culprit in hitting one's self.

That pretty much sums it up!

Great info. Thanks!  I've been trying some basic parry/block/attack stuff in my apartment.  One good thing about the lack of room is I have to keep everything (relatively) tight and controlled so I don't smack the cieiing/walls and piss off my neighbors.  I'll try to get video of some sort in the next couple nights.  I'm having some trouble getting my damn car to pass inspection because of stupid techs, which is really eating into my time right now.

I'd like to make a case for tossing and catching with practical application.
If you are adept at tossing and catching it's another tool available to you.
If you lose your grip or your weapon ends up leaving your hand and you've practiced recovering it in mid-air before your odds of being able to get it back under control are great than if you've never practiced.

Well I got my car to pass inspection earlier than I thought, so I had time to do a little bit of work.  Just a few minutes of freeform.  I've always been fascinated by reverse grip styles for some odd reason, so I threw in some of that for giggles.  I'm under no illusions that it's actually useful, but I find it enjoyable at least.  Also, I apologize for the red shirt.  It didn't occur to me that it would be bad against a red saber until I started editing.

my channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/Oramac6876/videos?view=0)

Mucking about a bit last night with a double saber.

You can tell I don't play with one of these often. But they can be pretty fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oppQfkp2wtM#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oppQfkp2wtM#ws)

Just a couple quick vids we took last night, freeform dulon-style stuff.

Artorius:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6hWxDLiRZA#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6hWxDLiRZA#ws)

And me:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Am-Lj6OsPpE#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Am-Lj6OsPpE#ws)

Glad you guys got some saber time he works too hard and needed to relax.

As always the videos look great. It's interesting to look at yours because it doesn't look like your usual makashi work.

It was definitely a bit different, I did much more spinning this time.  I think it might be the fact that I haven't had a sparring partner in a while, so a lot of what I do is Soresu-esque spinning when it comes to freeform.  I did throw a few Makashi style techniques in there, you can catch a few small parries and a lunge at the end.

It was a LOT of fun to see him, and especially to do some lightsaber work with him.  He's absurdly busy, as Veld said, but he would really like to contribute a bit more... I told him we'd love to see him on a Symposium in the future.  We'll see how things go!

Absolutely! Always good to see offerings of yours. Although I'm thinking of taking up a collection for some portable lights for you guys to use so we can see more than the pretty blade work ;)

And get Artorious to come out and play more often. :D

Yours definitely looks suped-up! Many more turns and "spins" but still a solid Makashi.

Thanks!  You're very right about the lighting, for some reason I never manage to get any in my vids... although in this case it's because we're back in South Jersey, so at 2am it's VERY dark outside.  I would have turned on the lights, but I wanted to let my parents sleep (we have floodlights on the back side of the house).

I'm hoping I get to do some more saberwork with him soon, although with his schedule it's unlikely.  As soon as I can, though, I'll get him over to hang with me ;)

This totally reminds me of Ninja Gaiden.  Point for you/him!

Also, I did a little work myself.  This is one of the first times I've done any saber work outside, so I'm still grappling with the "what do my neighbors think" crap.  I haven't fully embraced my inner nerd yet. lol

I'm going to work on my phone stand so it's more vertical and you can see my feet better.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9_7AbbuZ_Q&feature=plcp (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9_7AbbuZ_Q&feature=plcp)

For anyone who's interested in firearms as well, I also uploaded a few videos of me and a friend at the last IDPA match here in StL. 

God you guys are so fast.... and precise.

Thanks, good to know we haven't slipped too much!  Years of training and excellent instruction are what created that level of control, although I have to admit my own technique was a bit wild since I was moving outside my comfort zone in terms of style.

Speaking of which, I have a Shien-influenced freeform I made the other night, I will have to post that when I get a minute.

Well here it is, although it's quite a bit darker than I realized (where the heck is all the lighting around my apartment? It's usually annoying...)

First version is unedited:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAlnPTYKZI8# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAlnPTYKZI8#)

Second version I played with the brightness.  I don't think it helped much, but it did give the coloration a cool effect.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek1LZQub1Tc#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek1LZQub1Tc#ws)

Let me know what you guys think!  I swear, next time it'll have better lighting...

Nice! It's fun to see you branch out.

Finally stopped raining here long enough to get outside and practice a little.  Sorry for the first part though. I didn't realize my phone has such a crappy viewing angle.  At least I did get to try out the new Dominix v3!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8ysw5NFy_o# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8ysw5NFy_o#)

I really need to start filming my practices. 

Aside from having something to post here, it might help refine my technique and see what I'm doing wrong.

I found taking multiple videos is nice, because over time as you date them, it gives you something to look back at and see your personal progression.

Whelp, here we go...

Day One...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37Rx3Ev9ep0# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37Rx3Ev9ep0#)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4gbMGYWAmc# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4gbMGYWAmc#)

Very nice! Quite impressive. Point to you!

Great job, you took the lessons to heart and went slowly.

A very good start. I've seen others attempt the same strikes and not look as clean. Looking forward to seeing more.

Thanks guys.
 ;D

Been working on the Shii-Cho stuff from TPLA for about a week now, intermixed with some "Soresu" spinning.

It's funny; I've had shoulder surgery for a slap tear (happened about 4 years ago) and it's cut some of my right shoulder mobility (maybe 80-90% of what it was).  When I first started doing this, I couldn't do more than about 3-4 minutes without taking a break.  Even after a week of doing it just about every day, my shoulder's stamina has increased.  I'm now getting winded faster than my shoulder is giving out.

It's kinda encouraging.

Now, the saber I'm playing with is actually half of a purchase I made this month.  I've been playing with it while connected to it's other half too, playing with the same Shii-Cho trajectory and figuring out how to adapt it for the double-saber.  Maybe I'll record some of that next time too.

Oramac:
Nice work, you're continuing to connect blade, arms, body and legs.

DarthGM:
Very nice to see, you're obviously dedicating time to your practice and the results are very positive.

Point to you both!

Thank you!! I've been working on using my body more, which brings me to a question:

Today I went out to practice a little.  I've been predominately practicing the Djem So techniques that Master VorNach has provided, but today I decided to try throwing in a few Shii Cho techniques as well, and I found an interesting hiccup.  (I don't want to say flaw, since it's more than likely something I'm doing wrong rather than the Form that's wrong).

Example:  Starting in Krayt's Horn with my left foot forward, I attack downward while stepping with my right.  The attack ends with the hilt in a Quiescent Guard with the hilt at my left hip.  The blade seems naturally to favor the opposite side of the leg I stepped with.

Example:  In Shii Cho, I start at rest with the saber hilt at shoulder level pointing up, and feet together-ish (left foot/shoulder angled forward).  Using a Hutt Slide, I step left and attack left.  Essentially attacking towards the leg I'm stepping with.

Am I wrong in noticing that certain strikes favor certain footwork?  Am I even doing this correctly?  Sorry I don't have video of it.  I hope the description works well enough.  If not I'll try to get some video in the next day or two.

I think I know what you are getting at.

Sai strikes are going to favor the open stance because of the follow through. Djem So will often do sai to the forward leg or the closed stance, but this requires a pretty good handle on the footwork stance and body skill (flexibility and stability). This is why starting with the Shii-Cho is recommended so strongly. Getting the simple strikes and tying them to the foot work will help make the Djem So guard system make far more sense.

Some practice of ours here. Freeform Shien/Djem So
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJbFwRY50nY#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJbFwRY50nY#ws)

Thanks for clearing that up!  Guess I have a lot more homework to do now, but it's the right stuff at least.

Great work on the forums.

Master Nonymous, your Jar'kai reminds me a lot of some of the eskrima stuff I've been seeing lately.

Very great work! Loving it!

Ok y'all this is my first video. Just some free for practice. Nothing too fancy. Its a little dark but I live out in the country and it was dark by the time I got home and ready. Let me know what y'all think. Constructive critism welcome.


 http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5Tuw592Li1c (http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5Tuw592Li1c)

Double hook sword:
http://youtu.be/1M0196U87cU (http://youtu.be/1M0196U87cU)

Hmmmm having trouble viewing it on my computer.  Anyone else having issues?

Unfortunately, it is far too dark for me to make any meaningful comments. Sorry.

yeah looks like its setup for mobile only

yeah, the URL is mobile.

here is the corrected one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Tuw592Li1c# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Tuw592Li1c#)

Ah thanks Thonolan.

@Darth Tavian - the cuts look clean and the spins look smooth, but Master Nonymous is right I'm afraid... it's difficult to give pointers with so little lighting, because we can't see any of the body's movements.

Well, I got called out (sort of) on Facebook, so I made a quick little video.  Figured I'd post it here as well.  Mainly it's just to show off how bright the sabers are, though you can definitely tell a difference between the heavy grade and mid grade blades. 

One thing to note, I'm wearing my halloween costume during all this, so my movement is somewhat more restricted.

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4NjXspKmeY# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4NjXspKmeY#)

Half our kata for our demonstration on Saturday

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjjF2-9co7k#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjjF2-9co7k#ws)

Called out?

Sort of.  Someone asked for pictures and such of the sabers for brightness and whatnot, and since I'd been wanting to make a night video anyway I went ahead and put this together.   Certainly not my best work, nor well lit at all, but it did what I needed it to do.

I did a little more editing on our footage from the convention last weekend.

Here are our Dulons (Every form is covered except for Niman)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7n8xP7NAOrw#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7n8xP7NAOrw#ws)

Don't know how I missed this.  Very cool.  Looks somewhat Ataru-esque, with the butterfly kick and all. 


Also, I made another video earlier today.  Honestly, I feel like I'm getting worse.  Though I've felt off all day.  Didn't shoot my IDPA match as well as I'd like either.  Anyhow, here it is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgddLNtU7DI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgddLNtU7DI)

Some of the guys and I from our local saber club just did a segment thats going to air tomorrow on Shaw TV, for a program called "How to do stuff"

They caught wind of our group a few weeks back and wanted to do something before comic con, but timing just didnt work out so we did it today.

It airs tomorrow, and we should have youtube links and toss it on our facebook page as well

www.facebook.com/rivercityjedi (http://www.facebook.com/rivercityjedi)


(Shaw Cable is the biggest cable provider in canada, and each city  that has shaw has their own "Shaw TV" its just local access stuff but it was still fun to do regardless)

Besides, how many people can honestly say they got to be on tv for using lightsabers?

Congrats - that should help raise awareness in Winnipeg! :D

yeah thats the hope, i think we need a bigger training facility lol

Went for a hike up the local mountain trail here called Cowles Mountain. Took the Prophecy with me (just the hilt). I wanted to get some video of the hike, but it didn't turn out very well. Looking to do it every Sunday, so we'll see about this weekend.

Awesome Veldryne, Congratulations to you and the hardworking River City Jedi !

Testing out a new point by point dueling system.....our first actual sparring matches from River City Jedi!!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3QPleXgDH4# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3QPleXgDH4#)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dhs62JPgfbA# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dhs62JPgfbA#)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fV_ZQka5DE# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fV_ZQka5DE#)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd3WRO15WOQ# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd3WRO15WOQ#)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eCfqtAVTiI# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eCfqtAVTiI#)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKrNBuCYxyg# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKrNBuCYxyg#)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IekA1eUF1hY# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IekA1eUF1hY#)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyr8CaV4-6w# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyr8CaV4-6w#)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_MGl2NaVFo# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_MGl2NaVFo#)

A sneak peek into the secret labs of TPLA!

A point system will be coming soon. Hopefully for the holidays!


Nice work Kanooks!

to the guys from river city, as a fencer i would heavily recommend two things to your group.

1) Gloves. gloves will drastically reduce your guys' pain from strikes to your hands and the will reduce the sweaty palm feeling

2) work on your parries/defense a bit more.

I am in no way trying to slam you guys, in fact i think you are doing a great job, but a little defense work goes along way. In fencing its said that you have free will in defense because no matter what your opponent does he can't force you to choose any single parry. The attacker must commit to one attack, but the defender is free in what they choose to do. Keep up the great work!

Where do I find a group of people to do this with!?  Very cool videos.   It looked like a fair amount of points were scored on hilt/hand hits.  Did you track all that info?  Might be interesting to see what hits had the highest percentage and such. 

Normally we do wear gloves. I think that I just found something a little bit better and I will be ordering them shortly. Click here if you want to see (http://www.karatedepot.com/pr-pu-05.html)

As for defense, we have already had that conversation upon watchng the videos. I did see a lot of mistimed attempts at fluid ripostes and intercepting cuts, but we do agree about being defensively flawed.



They did keep track during the matches, If you can hear on the videos, they normally stop when someone on the side says "that's 15".
Highest percentage hits overall were Shiim from what I could tell.
As for people to do this with... talk a friend in to buying a saber (or using one of yours) and start training, you will end up having people asking you, and joining you and eventually you will have lots of people.

Warning! There is no finger protection with those! Good forearm protection, but would not be legal in TPLA Sanctioned matches for hand protection.

I may try to find something locally, as that site costs 30 for shipping....... no thanks.

alternatively, I have tried both hockey and lacrosse gloves, both feel like they restrict my wrist a lot, though I may need to break them in.

If they feel restrictive on your wrist, you are using your wrist too much IMO. You should use the hockey or lacrosse gloves. In official TPLA tournaments and events, you may be required to wear those. Lacrosse gloves give ample ROM of the wrist as well as providing protection. Get used to them. What you loose in your wrist you make up for in freedom of power and technique.

have you look into construction gloves? they are a bit clumsy to work with early on, but they offer a lot of protection for your hands and fingers, and are relatively cheap

I did manage to grab some street hockey gloves, and they feel great.  Haven't gotten to use them in sparring yet, but I'm let you know what I think of them when I do.

Was at Big 5 Sporting Goods yesterday looking at gear. Most of the gear that I found that was good for this was the Lacrosse stuff. I mean.. REALLY good. The gloves were awesome. I'm going to pick some up after the holidays, along with the chest/shoulder armor and some forearm/shin guards.

Just having trouble finding the sparring helmets.

Edit: Here's a link to the gloves I was looking at:

http://www.big5sportinggoods.com/product/lacrosse/478242-152417/stx-stinger-lacrosse-gloves.html (http://www.big5sportinggoods.com/product/lacrosse/478242-152417/stx-stinger-lacrosse-gloves.html)

Here's a link to the chest/torso gear. This isn't the exact model, but it's close:

http://www.big5sportinggoods.com/product/lacrosse/478242-152423/stx-mens-stinger-lacrosse-shoulder-pads.html (http://www.big5sportinggoods.com/product/lacrosse/478242-152423/stx-mens-stinger-lacrosse-shoulder-pads.html)

And finally, the arm/elbow guards:

http://www.big5sportinggoods.com/product/lacrosse/478242-152426/stx-mens-stinger-lacrosse-arm-pads.html (http://www.big5sportinggoods.com/product/lacrosse/478242-152426/stx-mens-stinger-lacrosse-arm-pads.html)

Wow! that's great! That stuff will be easy to costume out too!

if you are looking for face/head protection i highly recommend getting a fencing mask. they provide full face and neck protection, they may appear a bit bulky and hard to see through but after a few times using one you get used to it. there are a few vendors throughout the United States that sell inexpensive masks. for saber combat and FIE (international fencing organization) rated mask wouldnt be necessary. couple of good vendors are The Fencing Post, Absolute Fencing, Blue Gauntlet Fencing and Athos Fencing.

BOOO! I got rid of mine years ago! I shouldn't have! Back to the second hand sports shop - I am well-used to Lacrosse gloves and never thought they would work for this. Thanks again!

I was thinking the exact same thing as well... Just need some dying on the cloth parts, and spray paint on the plastic parts. I even found some shin guards that would work great for forearm guards..

I couldn't agree more! I've been looking into proper sparring gear, and these look great! I'm definitely going to try and get some as soon as I get the funds!

Also, Khalis and I now have access to a camera. So, as soon as we've acquired proper sparring gear, we plan to start documenting EVERYTHING we do. : D

Great, cant wait to see what you come up with!!

Excellent! And point for the sparring gear! Check Play It Again Sports for dirt cheap pads and gloves. I have found amazing deals there.

Look forward to seeing your stuff.

Lacrosse stick bags also coincidentally work really well for saber bags, four people in my group(s) use them. (One member got their saber bag autographed by Nick Gillard, ha!) I finally broke the zipper on mine after 4 years. Of course, depends on your blade/hilt length of course, but works well for my selection.

Good Tip! I will look into one!

Note: there is no padding inside mine:
(http://www.debeerlacrosse.com/images09/debeer/bags_identitystick.jpg)

So they just kinda rattle around in there.

And if hilt+blade is too long, you can remove the blade, but most of the time it's long enough to support my blades and hilts connected. Plus there's a nifty accessory bag and pockets on the side for toolkits and such.

Here's the modern version: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004AA0ZDS/ (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004AA0ZDS/)

It says "42 inches long" but my experience with the previous version is you can stretch it a little.

Mine carries my Ultrasabers Aggressor (Consular Green), Master Replicas Force FX Anakin Episode 3 (Blue), Ultrasabers Steel Stunt/Standard Issue Saber - Gunmetal Grey (SunRider's Destiny - Teal), Ultrasabers Phantom 1.0 (PVC) (Blazing Red) - separated into halves, a wooden bokken, a couple of extra blades, two Rocketfish (Best Buy) Rock Band lightup drumsticks (for evil plans to create an espada y daga setup), a lightup "lightsaber" M&M's candy holder (lightshiv! LOL) and my saber repair toolkit: Leatherman, electrical tape, hex wrenches, spare batteries, etc. ... and that's about it.

Probably exceeding the weight limit, but oh well :D

Unfortunately, they don't have any locations within a reasonable distance of where I live. However, I do have family that's around there and am not so old as to not ask for Birthday and Christmas gifts. lol

Point !



Amazon is your friend:
http://www.amazon.com/Warrior-Tempo-Elite-Lacrosse-Gloves/dp/B005MKQ2CI/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1354855288&sr=8-5&keywords=lacrosse+gloves (http://www.amazon.com/Warrior-Tempo-Elite-Lacrosse-Gloves/dp/B005MKQ2CI/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1354855288&sr=8-5&keywords=lacrosse+gloves)

Ironically enough, I work at Amazon. X D

Well now... that IS ironic.  :P

I believe it is "fitting", not ironic. Lucky, fortunate, unexpectedly cool yes. But it is not poignantly contrary to what was expected or intended.
 ::)

I find it ironic, because I work there and yet have no more access to the items than anyone else, and must still save up my money to purchase any of the sparring equipment. So, it's contrary to what I expected when I took the job. : p

And Vash, ITS ABOUT TIME :D

A couple of the videos from sparring practice on sunday, more to come onec we get them from all the various sources


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zhACY9lMbU#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zhACY9lMbU#ws)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZmfoFJTRFM#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZmfoFJTRFM#ws)

Very cool Veldryne.  Who is the guy who keeps using a reverse grip?  He seems to actually do fairly well with it, at least to my untrained eye. 

That would be Phil. He's not on the forums at all. I have more to upload tomorrow....another 19 to be honest. 16 of which are my fight against Tract, all in slow motion.

This is a cool idea. I'll post up some videos of me working on the behind the back saber spin. I think I've pretty much got it, but I don't see any reason why any constructive criticism wouldn't hurt. ;D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNQUWXGYB3s# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNQUWXGYB3s#)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W0uJvF5W0w# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W0uJvF5W0w#)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1H66GHGaH6s# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1H66GHGaH6s#)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCRWmeKI9eA# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCRWmeKI9eA#)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpZRCbS91Nk# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpZRCbS91Nk#)


If you guys want to check out any more check the rest of the uploads from yesterday, there were 19 in all lol

Vel, those are really cool.  The slo-mo makes seeing the hits a lot easier.  Again it looked like hand/forearm hits were most common. 

Point for you, and if anyone from the group ever gets on here, them too.

 :'( :'( :'( :'(

MY GOD I FEEL SO LAZY!!... 2 weeks since i got my saber and gifted my friend his, and we still have not gotten a dueling video for you guys to see.. its rough dueling, but we do pretty good for no choreography.. and play like its real.. a blade touch anywhere is instant cauterization... we have had a duel last a full 2 minutes ending with my hand being cut off, having to run for it.. then dodge my friend jump for my saber, roll over and SOMEHOW i got him across the mid section with a slash upwards as he wooshed over my head comming out of the roll.....

sadly, this was on my iphone 3g.... 4 years gone... and a new hard drive in the computer later.. the footage is lost... possibly never to be filmed again.. its not easy to get that kinda dueling consistently.... so intense... dramatic and passionate with the act of "life or death" from both duelists...


i swear ill have footage for you by the end of next week... keep in mind.. my friend and i use no choreography.. kinda let our bodies take over.. we both have a fair amount of martial arts practice.. and dont have a particular style.. we just surrender to the Superior knowledge of our body...

i hope to have some footage for the forums very soon.. as well as get feedback from peers and masters alike....

i cant seem to get the videos to stream into this site from my youtube.. i have tried all the normal media, youtube, http, ... all the normal ways other sites do it... but i just cant get it to post in anything but a link...is there a special media code this forum uses to post videos that stream from youtube, rather then just a link to youtube? thanks for the help guys

Go to your YouTube Video directly from the YouTube Channel and not from your video manager.  

Highlight the HTTP addresses in your address bar:  like this *http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLSj4TxfZPY&feature=youtu.be*

Paste in your thread.  The site has an auto embed feature that turns it into a streaming video.

Blue

EDIT:  I forgot to mention that if you have https instead of http, it will not imbed.  That has been a problem for others in the past. 

Blue

hope this worked.. and hope its not too bad.. lol, just going with my imagination.. no particular form



again thanks big time to you guys for the info on the embedding ... helped out ^.^ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n002HDvKRUM#ws[/url)

here is another vid. of my nephew... my bros little boy.. he is getting a stunt saber next year, but dont know it ^.^

 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2bH4hT6udk#[/url)

i notice that the video of me is darker then i thought.. i will try to get a light time video soon.. with better camera stage... i go out of frame a few times.. and im not in the frame all the time either.... but hope you enjoy it anyways.. lol

I run into this problem a lot myself.  Darn cell phone camera doesn't have squat for a viewing angle.  I've actually had 2-3 videos that I just didn't bother posting because I spent half of it out of frame.  :(

lol i have  friend that is going to work with me on making the sounds louder... and i have been measuring out a box area of the camera angle.. the forms should probably be done in more of a square... this is just my opinion.. and im not making any "teacher" remarks.. just my opinion only clarifying such.

another video.. moving slower and thinking of practical moves.. then some spins.. stil need work on my camera angels, but at leasst it has better lighting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf11tfmOpXM#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf11tfmOpXM#ws)

Thanks for sharing! A point for that and for decent lighting !

A suggestion for when you're filming solo: Set up your camera then mark the width and depth of your shooting frame with some small sticks in the ground so you know how far you can move in each direction and still be be visible.

i was actually going to do so.. i plan to make a small holder for my phone then have someone stand behind it while i mark the depth and width of the field of view then they can go away and do what ever at that point lol, more videos to come for sure.. hopefully i can get some with my friend, he has be under the weather as of the last few weeks.
again thanks for insight Master VorNach

another detail that caught my eye, and im sure im not the first to think this... but when my friend and i duel.. or practice strikes.. we are always practicing as if to hit the person, not any other location.. as seen in alot of movie fights.. i am not knocking any practices where you do not always target the opponent either.. simply informing that it feels more real for me as a dueling enthusiast... this is not to say we dont meet blades in the center away from any strike zone while we are dueling.. as it is fast paced and we both try to keep each other at bay.. lol... to further explain... i mean this is a sense that it will teach the body a proper distance and location of strikes...

again, this is simply my observation.. and a giving my input.. anyone's opinions are welcome

Are Japanese Samurai techniques the best for deflecting an opponent's strikes?

in the most honest opinion... not, it matters not what style you use, but how well you know and flow with a style

I have been just fooling around be good to get some opinions I call this starkillers blaster deflection it's from force unleashed II and any masters have any input go ahead would love to hear your thoughts. It's on a similar basis as soreasu. It's obvious I still need a wee bit of practice on this. Haha. Sorry for sound quality.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TndD6Z_xP9w# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TndD6Z_xP9w#)

A couple quick notes off the top of my head.
The light is a bit dim so I cannot see very clearly the full range of your motions. It appears your saber orbits are being delivered entirely through your arm with little connection to body movement.

Take a look at the videos on the orbits near the bottom of the page:
https://sites.google.com/site/terraprimelightsaberacademy/the-seven-forms/form-iii-soresu

Thank you for sharing your progress and keep up the good work.

Video of my friend Darth Vion (The hooded one) and I. Practicing some Shii Cho in combat, and getting used to the reversed Starkiller grip off and on. We don't have lightsabers yet, so we're using sticks for now. Starts out kinda slow, and with some overconfidence on my part; but it picks up.  Hope you enjoy!  ;D

+1 point if you can spot the hit below the belt lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw59IJqmYL4# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw59IJqmYL4#)


Sorry about posting one without Ultrasabers, but I'm really working on my form with these and with my shinai. I wanted to share, but I also wanted to shed more light on this thread. I think it's amazing. I really hope that threads like this can inspire people to push themselves. I will certainly contribute my best... Especially with an Ultrasaber =]

May the force, be with you

~ Forrest

You're practicing, that's the important part !
What are those sticks you're using in this clip made of?

I'm glad you approve. Can't wait until I've the funds for a true saber. I've got my eye on the higher end models. Until then I will make sure I am prepared  :)

We use redwood sticks stuffed inside of those foam pool noodle things and wrapped in duckt tape lol  Really good practice sabers for like $5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGFGSnW40h4# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGFGSnW40h4#)


I hope this shows what it is and my body rotations like I said just a work in progress.

This is a work in progress for all of us, there is always something more that any of us can learn.
Much better lighting, thanks very much !


You're beginning to pull body and arm together, I would suggest you take a look at this:

http://youtu.be/NuRYp3l1UhQ (http://youtu.be/NuRYp3l1UhQ)

in order to help refine the connection and coordination.  You've still got a lot of rotation coming from your wrist and as you sped up, your body motion began to contribute less to the overall motion of your arm.

Keep up the good work!

ps-yes, that's how you pronounce the name.   ;D

Thanks for the video and tip and I see what you're saying after watching my video again. Once I have gotten this to a finer tee ill post a new video of it. Thanks again!  :D

Took some video doing FMA (Escrima, Kali, Arnis) coordination drills using Ultrasabers.  I'm using Initiate V2s, heavy blade, initiate length.  Training partners are using rattan sticks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAGa_3YLhrQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAGa_3YLhrQ)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfHuMemIUUc#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfHuMemIUUc#ws)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNCmM4zFeA4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNCmM4zFeA4)

Very interesting haven't seen this done in a while

Very cool.  Did I hear them laughing a little in the first video when you turned them on though.  :(

Either way, it looks like they worked really well!

I'm sure they were laughing with me. :-) I've had nothing but positive feedback when I've used them in class. One person did ask me if they have a warranty in case they break but I told him they would be fine. So far they have worked really well.

I'm glad to hear that!

Padawans put together the Ataru Dulon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRVolMIllps#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRVolMIllps#ws)

Here is a link to my channel.  I'm just posting up my first videos now.

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheOrderoftheWolfNM (http://www.youtube.com/user/TheOrderoftheWolfNM)

Were can i get a curved hilt lightsaber from ultrasabers does anyone know i am super new here i dont know what to do or were to type i just want the curved hilt im willing to purchase
Thanks to anyone who replys :D

I hate to say it my friend, but as far as I'm aware, Ultrasabers does not currently have any curved hilts. I wanted one too, but to no avail.

Currently, no, they don't, but one of my brothers and my best friend both have curved hilts from back when they used to make them.

just to clarify as an update to this last question... curved hilts, were only made in pvc pipe.. none made on t6 Al just yet

lets get back on topic, thee are other pages that associate with saber hilt styles.. this is for art forms of sword play pertaining to dueling.

It feels like an age since I posted something here. With the weekly show I was running out of time to do any extra video work.
I pieced this together form several videos that I shot late last year. It's pretty raw but since we did not do a regular show this week I wanted to put a little something out for people to take a look at.

http://youtu.be/SkDMCOQh51s (http://youtu.be/SkDMCOQh51s)

Enjoy.

I know I'm a latecomer, and no one's posted her for a while, but thought I'd join the fun anyway  ;D
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiubW9SwujNe-G5Ffy_SFuw (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiubW9SwujNe-G5Ffy_SFuw)

That was fantastic!! Feel free to revive any thread with videos like that one!

Your blade control is what struck me the most, as well as your consistency with attacking and keeping a line between your imaginary target. You were also looking at your target the whole time! On top of that, your footwork being visible in the video was the icing on the cake. Very impressive! Would you prefer lisghtside or darkside points?

Thanks!!! Will do; I had fun making this one  ;D

I'll do my best to retain those things in future videos  :D

And I'd prefer lightside points, please  :)

New videos up! http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiubW9SwujNe-G5Ffy_SFuw (http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiubW9SwujNe-G5Ffy_SFuw)

Well I am a beginner, and not even close to Deryn's standard, but this is the first video I've done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hI2BRqVHZ2s#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hI2BRqVHZ2s#ws)

Please forgive the fact that I don't yet HAVE a lightsaber. It is on order. lol

okay, havent made a post in a while (sorry about that)

So im just going to bombard you guys with things





First, some photos from River City Jedi's panel at a smallscale fantasy and sci fi convention thats gone on for more than 30 years now in Winnipeg.

Keycon

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.590219351012838.1073741826.469859189715522&type=1 (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.590219351012838.1073741826.469859189715522&type=1)

Unlike most comic cons, this one is much more intimate, lots of panels and workshops, and almost no vendors. Its a totally different feel and we loved it.



Secondly, a flickr feed of pictures from class last weekend

http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveowned/sets/72157633703465353/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveowned/sets/72157633703465353/)






And lastly, a video of myself, and 2 of the newer fellows in River City Jedi running through the first two trajectories of the Shii Cho dulon.

Class last weekend went fantastic, everyone was extremely eager to learn, and a lot of people broke off to work through the trajectories on their own.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uy_kqxJBT0#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uy_kqxJBT0#ws)

Answered my own question. 

god i cant wait to get my soundboard replaced in another week or so...... want to get some vids for the forums up

OK, I wanted to make a contribution to this thread with my new, sexy Dominix saber!

I know I've a lot to work on here, looking in the right places being just one part of that (Thanks Master Vornach!), but I hope you'll find this practice of Shii-Cho Dulon Trajectories 1 and 2 ok.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pr9i3Pl0AY#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pr9i3Pl0AY#ws)

If I may,

I'd be honored to join this.  Right now we don't have any lightsabers, actually because of the move we still don't have access to our Shinai either :D so we're using broom sticks and just working on little stuff in our place when we aren't training with my Knight Instructor in the Adrian Empire.  

I'd really love to show everyone what I have developed for various Forms, it's the least I can do after everything all of you have shared.  My Soresu isn't nearly as flowy, much more rigid and structured when looking at it from the outside but it's very adaptable in the stance.  For the most part, it looks like there is a flurry around the practitioner as the opponent is trying to "break in" while the actual Form III fighter looks almost non-nonchalant and effortless.  We've been focusing on the "eye of the storm" quite a bit.

I know it could be quite cool to see my Form II and Form I go against it.

also, about safety... I can't emphasize that enough myself after what I've seen on and off the training field.  Also, most injuries happen because the people practicing presume to think they won't take it that far, and then they do, and then they get hurt. :D

Just this past two weeks back, we had a guy take a solid straight shot to his throat.  that would have been lethal, if it wasn't for the 3-weapons WMA mask, and steel and leather brig gorget underneath it.  Instead it just became an amazing parry into a counter and both at the end of the day were smiling and laughing.

Darth Arkanus,

if I may.  I'm new here, so definitely listen to the others that are much more knowledgeable.  But I LOVE Shii-Cho, so in that, I've sort of "lurked" on your youtube page :D  I gotta say, that video you just posted definitely shows, to me, marked improvement.  Everything is slowed down, and your motions seem more dedicated and the intent is present.  I've been around my fair share of weapons, and you're showing improvement.

It's always good to be the hardest on yourself.  It's good to notice where you need improvement, but sometimes it can be just as helpful, if even just in the morale aspect, to also notice your improvements and your strengths.

we use lacross gear and hockey gear paired with fencing masks when sparring they work fantastic

even when sparring accidents can and will happen even with full protection, everyone please be safe out there when working with friends or a group

we actually had a broken pinky finger after a sparring match a couple weeks ago, so just be safe, and if you think you have hurt yourself at all, please do not continue practicing at all, seek whatever medical attention you require immediately

keep up the good work everyone

I'll make a quick second on the lacrosse gear!

the things we put our gauntlets through is incredible in my group.  I actually gutted a set and hid the padding inside my Wisby gauntlets since now I'm working with rebated steel instead of the rattan of the SCA.  Man they're sweet.

Excellent.
I simply installed street street hockey gloves inside my steel clam shell gauntlets. They've worked exceptionally well in both rattan and rebated steel combat.

Master Vornach,

it is amazing what a little ingenuity, duct tape, and "I need these ready in 3 hours" (on the way to the event) can cause right?  ;)

Honestly I love mine.  I just wish I had something for 13th century as well.  

Right now for SWarsiness I'm working on some armor out of EVA foam like my 405th friends do for Halo cosplay.  I figure it could work even as a gorget (maybe, need to test this, no one take my word for this at all!) but definitely as bracers, knees, shoulders, that sort of thing.  I'm trying to figure out some cool gauntlets too, probably heavily Wisby inspired/ trooper looking ;)

I also finally found my "lightsaber readiness kit" as I liked to call it.  Took it everywhere with me to make repairs and such to lightsabers.  Found it, my two rebel stars and my extra shrink wrap and wiring.  So even though it's from "the other guy" I'll have a lightsaber hilt soon.  I'm also planning on buying an Aeon soon with li-ion, sound, and of course, SY color :D so excited! I do enjoy how they are so solid.  It's either that, or my phantasm Initiate with li-ion but no sound, in SY.  :D haven't decided which style I want first.

If you guys wish, I can also post up a thread about making SWarsy looking armor.  I have zero doubt the EVA will work as armor for our lightsabers.  I wore an ODST gauntlet and had my lady thwak me and I didn't feel a thing ;)  I keep having delusions of grandeur where there's a bunch of us in functional Jedi Guardian and Sith Warrior armors  ;D

OK, if it is still permitted to post videos about practice, then I offer my latest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kfywr3nIdFU#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kfywr3nIdFU#ws)

Your slow methodical approach has really improved your technique. There is one point (Time stamp 1:29-1:31) you do a block and actually flip the blade toward yourself. This is not going to be ideal for you. Instead of bringing the blade down toward your head as you do bring the blade across your body low and then quickly raise it up over your head (rising block TKD).

Good work. Keep it up and see you Saturday.

Thanks Master!!! I keep trying, and keep working, bit by bit. I'm planning to do a few more of these types of multi-direction exercises in the weeks and months ahead, to try to fill in the techniques I didn't use here though.

On the block you mentioned. I'm going from a Sai strike ending in "Finishing guard", then 180 degree right turn, coming across and up into a high guard, but I've kinda thrown it here a little like a drop parry, hence the downward movement. So instead, if I leave the Sai strike position, turn, bring the blade across for a zone 5 low parry (either with the front or back of blade) then come up in a rising zone 1 parry (Chookyo Makgi from ITF style TKD) that would work better and presumably be less dangerous to me; which I guess is why you mentioned it?

I'll give that a try as a linework exercise!!

Looking forward to Saturday, a lot!!!

Ok so i'm a n00b and i've only posted a few times so far.
This is the first film footage of me wielding my new Ultrasaber i got not long ago.
I have no official martial arts training.
I think is closest to form 3 soresu. I'm just trying to demonstrate all the spinning moves i've learned from, youtube vids, and sparring with a friend who does poi whose helped us develop a few new moves with a saber, if they are known sword movements or poi moves he's translated into sabering.
Anyway sorry about how dark it is. I should re-shoot a daytime one. I just love seeing a lightsaber at night.
I was aiming for dusk filming but with a young padawan its difficult.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqsjH6lZe-4# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqsjH6lZe-4#)

I shot a daytime version. tried repeating all the same moves in the same order. Doing each move 3 or 4 times.
How does one acquire force alinement points?  Is there a certain move i need to master?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNwdw0dQi8A# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNwdw0dQi8A#)

Nice!

You want light side points or dark side points?

Do light points negate dark point and vicey versey ? or is it accumulative? i'll take whatever points i can get tbh. Is there a prize ?lol

Awesome job man. I see a lot of similar things in there to what I do and I like the speed at which you do them, so well done. One thing I would recommend would be to practice so that you could do a lot of those moves on your left side, just to give you even more options. Aside from that, very nicely done.

Thank you. i could easily double the speed of the demonstration video but the video quality would make the movements difficult to see. Someone else also challenged my to do all the moves left handed too on fb so i might make another vid where i plan to mirror all the moves. I should be able to pull it off after a few attempts. i'm getting used to duel wielding also.

As spinning videos go, THIS is absolutely ridiculous.....in a good way!!!!

My GODS! What awesome work!!!!

Well, I feel somewhat intimidated posting anything here, because I'm way below par of anyone posting, but I offer this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3Gvb6ELUcU# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3Gvb6ELUcU#)

Left Handed Practice. I do swop back to my right when my left gets tired. It wasn't the first take either. lol. Enjoy anyway.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K25w7qn4Sho# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K25w7qn4Sho#)

Well done sir. I like how you incorporate aerials into some of those moves. Have a point.

OK, so again I offer a little more of my Makashi work. It's not very fancy, but it's getting good I feel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2iuUTSWmjM# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2iuUTSWmjM#)

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=baGB1z-YUZE (http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=baGB1z-YUZE)

Here is my lateset.

Very nice indeed! I must get a staff at some point!

OK, sharing another one of myself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKWKzLCWluE# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKWKzLCWluE#)

Mine is a javelin staffs to me are a bit much for a saber don't get me wrong they are amazing and cool but javelin is where its at. Haha. By the way you have come along very well in your training brother sith. Together we shall rule the galaxy.

Since getting into Makashi I find the concept of a blade pointing back at you as you point your own blade forward a bit dangerous, however I can see how that weapon will suit some styles. If I'm going double blade at any point, it'll be staff, probably with short blades at first.

Thanks for the compliment my saber brother.

Practicing some duel saber wielding. Some old moves i know and ones i'd just learned. Getting there but not as fluid as i hope to be yet.  Some difficult moves tho.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6r6vz6KeFrg# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6r6vz6KeFrg#)

more spinning moves in the dark. I was trying to spin it as fast as i possibly could. before doing those behind the back moves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ_n5Qk6M40# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ_n5Qk6M40#)

Well, as we're doing spinning videos, I'm gonna offer this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFwAhzaCf_c# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFwAhzaCf_c#)

Just trying to iron out some moves. Getting better, faster, less mistakes. I even try and do a few one handed cartwheels with a single saber. Its about as acrobatic as i get. I land on a tennis ball at 4.01

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72wb7jASQNc# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72wb7jASQNc#)

OK, here's a variation on a theme, some saberstaff!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuYI3_L7KOg# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuYI3_L7KOg#)

all inverted / backhand / reverse grip.  Working on some duel reverse grip moves at the moment. Quite difficult but hope to video it soon when i'm better.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4SuikvZjyw# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4SuikvZjyw#)

OK, let's throw in the other thing which has been a main focus of mine, the TPLA Makashi Dulon/Pattern.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMv9N8stq1g# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMv9N8stq1g#)

I have only recently began my training, but this is a great thread!  I am currently working on tracking down a good camera, until then I will have to use my phone :-(.

Here are some more dual wielding moves i've just recently learned. Enjoy and MTFBWY all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2iaF3M2Zek (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2iaF3M2Zek)

Upward 8s advanced / upwards 3beat flourish. Sideways flower, double plumb flour alternating and sort of at the same time also. I try to do some isolation moves with the single blade. then dual downward 8's inverted grips.

OK, I've not reported in for a while, so I'll remedy that here. My contribution is going to be considerable, simply because I've been doing so much stuff! Please bear with that, and enjoy!

First some Dulon videos!

Form I: Shii-Cho and Form II: Makashi (Master Nonymous' dulon) [These performed with the Scorpion saber!]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9R7pJ8Do-LI#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9R7pJ8Do-LI#ws)

Form II: Makashi (Master Nero's dulon) [Initiate and Venom sabers]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjlYkkN_wfU#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjlYkkN_wfU#ws)

"Wind Demon Staff" (Created by Master Nonymous) [Phatasm LE staff]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qgn83NQVw4o#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qgn83NQVw4o#ws)

OK, there's a lot of these....so hang on to your hats!!!!!

Now for the FUN stuff.....the inevitable spinning videos!

Single saber multiple grips, hand-switching....alsorts! [Aeon v2 with Initiate blade]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeLdBM9ZlaU#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeLdBM9ZlaU#ws)

"Twin Furies" Asymmetrical staff, two and one-handed spin variants [Dominix LE v3 and Initiate LE v3 combination]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzlKtVeI4hs#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzlKtVeI4hs#ws)

Spinning the Venom!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYggdRyYtmQ#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYggdRyYtmQ#ws)

Spinning the Scorpion!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEf2sBiWhgM#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEf2sBiWhgM#ws)

Spinning the Dominix LE v3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTmHIMT9wZ0#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTmHIMT9wZ0#ws)

haha! Embedding limit reached! My bad!!!

Spinning the Phantasm LE v3 staff

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6D9tXD46do#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6D9tXD46do#ws)

A little Jar'Kai (for good measure!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHFT2lyp_qI#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHFT2lyp_qI#ws)

here are some moves with my RBG saber trying to do some colour changes on the fly

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baEqXzMBwWM# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baEqXzMBwWM#)

You sir have garnered my envy, and respect. point to you

OK, here are a few more varied "bits" for you.

Dulon practice

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTPKUg2oPhs#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTPKUg2oPhs#ws)

Slow, Meditative bladework

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SChLdsI0ug4#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SChLdsI0ug4#ws)

A Portion of a new form I'm learning: Soresu!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh6bv5KD23o#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh6bv5KD23o#ws)

and some spinning, just for fun!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-ivsR_fk4w#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-ivsR_fk4w#ws)

So, the dual wield thread  and Arkanus & Ch3m15t have inspired me to work on dual wield spinning.  I'm working on smoothly transitioning from dual orbits standard grip to dual orbits reverse grip to a couple of Escrima heaven six patterns. And working on footwork too.  Any tips would be appreciated.  I'm using Initiates so I only smacked my legs a couple of times when trying to take angles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qsUjX2V5rI#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qsUjX2V5rI#ws)

Looks good point awarded for the attempt, keep it up you'll only get better!

Dude for your first vid (that i've seen anyway) its showing good potential. All i can say is practice and practice. Do single handed moves with your dominant hand, and with your weaker hand twice as much. I had to do alot to get my other arm up to scratch stamina and co-ordination. now i'd still right handed but i'm confinent with my left to pull off alot of stuff. I have had to use left handed in a few choreographed duels with my pals who are lefties.  anyway i digress. i'll link you to some awesome duel wielding tutorials on youtube. I'd make some vids but i'm not sure how good my mic is on the shellty camera anyway.  I'm working on some awesome duel move atm. both reverse grip doing downward 8's and 3beats (windmill) and reverse upward 8s. haven't figured out have to do the upwards windmill with reverse grip yet. all the other moves are pointless i just tried to do it for the complexity of it. I have to bend and contort my arms and body awkwardly in duel reverse. Figured out a few more single and duel wielding moves for turning on the spot and switching to more directions. my next video should bo ok :-P 
peace and MTFbWY  .........          always.

I would recommend looking up Eskrima, which is a Philippine double baton/stick fighting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty5RObqRcXo#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty5RObqRcXo#ws)

1+ for the link to the dual wielding tanto style training, definitely some good exercises there!  Muscle memory will appreciate that.

http://www.youtube.com/user/venturous1v (http://www.youtube.com/user/venturous1v)

I found this guys videos useful. If your after learning flourishes and spins for single and duel sabers and staff. It seems to be the most comprehensive collection of tutorials on youtube. It helped me alot learning to windmill and learning other moves i was unaware of and general tips that improves some moves i'd already learned.  now i feel like i need to make some video tutorials of moves he hasn't posted for. but as a collection its quite good. and he tends slow some of the moves down so you can see without camera blur.  Like in the Eskrima video, dunno if its the quality of the camera, or my processing power, or monitor but i can't see half of the stick movements.

Laggy computer decided to double post the same message again ^     ooops

I watched all of his vids for staves and it was very helpful.

Hi guys! Just thought I'd add my latest efforts to the forum. I'm coming back from a shoulder problem but actually, it seems to have had useful effects on how I understand what I'm doing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEr2On9wOmw#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEr2On9wOmw#ws)

OK, so i've been giving this a lot of thought, and I also want to add a spiritual element to the name, so there would be a full, "Classical" version of the name, and then several ways to "shorthand" it.

I've come up with the following;

Ryuujin no Kenshiko (Saber Tooth of the Dragon King)

Ryuujin no Koji (Tigercub of the Dragon King)

There are a number of ways to short hand the character's name; "Ryuujin", "Kenshiko", "Koji" (depending on the version chosen)

Thoughts?

Just some indoor practice as its raining too much to go outside.  ???
Had to slow it down cos of the tight space.  Trying to figure out some new moves and that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV_iDGJq7Cg# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV_iDGJq7Cg#)

Finally figured out how to do this really difficult and equally pointless spinning moves with Dual Reverse Grip. Only just picked it up so i'm amazingly smooth with it.... yet. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_OjQPgGwQY# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_OjQPgGwQY#)

An interesting move that does look a bit difficult. You're the first I've seen do it.

AHHHHhhhhhh validation :-) 
anyways. It is a little bit ridiculous. but i ran out of tutorials to pick up moves from on youtube.  So i've tried to make up some new moves. Or make variation of other moves or poi moves.  I've developed a few more moves that i haven't seen anywhere online yet. I'll keep you all posted   and thank you venturous. your youtube tutorials started me off with duel wielding...  if its the same venturous that is...

Yeah I'm the same one. I'm glad the tutorials have helped you some. I never did know a lot of flourish moves with dual sabers and never really bothered to make up my own, considering I'm more into a staff anyway. It's good to see innovation though in the saber-wielding techniques. Keep it up.

trying to do orbits doing advance flower. i can do it for normal flower its when i start to windmill it not to sure if i'm even doing it.
this is the test.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wInEGGNetU8# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wInEGGNetU8#)

Just thought I'd share some stuff I've been doing recently. Both "fun" spinning stuff, and some more serious Makashi practice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gamxrm5e1o#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gamxrm5e1o#ws)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iRIHcH_RhQ#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iRIHcH_RhQ#ws)

probably posted this vid in another thread or two but i'm a shameless attention whore. deal with it.

Flips and hand passes


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du43ChHPd7U# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du43ChHPd7U#)

I saw this thread a while back before I was making videos and then forgot about it. Since then, I have been doing a lot of work in a thread over here

http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=18370.0 (http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=18370.0)

Looking around, I saw some good work from CH3M15T over here and went through the vids from Arkanus. This thread is nice because it gives people a look at skill progression in a linear format. I therefore thought I might post mine. I have a youtube channel here with all of my work

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-lqjxfFJG8uZsJis4grvew (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-lqjxfFJG8uZsJis4grvew)

But I keep a special playlist for practices here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGadlSECXF4&list=PLf2BA9eUktwtKNRdHvsjMzduHyt3BZx0x (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGadlSECXF4&list=PLf2BA9eUktwtKNRdHvsjMzduHyt3BZx0x)

Personally, it is kind of a trip to watch it in chronological order and see how far I have come. I started recording practices when I was working on the inverted obi/ani and Venurous asked me to post a video so he could see what I was talking about. Since then, I caught the youtube bug and have done a lot more. Most recently as of this post, I am working on dual wield. It is not my favorite but I needed a bit of a break from single saber before I finish up my latest tutorial series, and honestly, I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. A lot of these are elsewhere on the forum, but I am a big fan of populating the forum with my videos. I find it useful to take a trip back, seeing the difference between where I was and where I am. Hopefully it may be useful to some of you as well. Great thread by the way.

Yes i agree with all of your points made in this.

Me, you, Venturous and Arkanus have developed alot of skills, on our own and collaborating, probably doubling my progression with some moves.
I enjoy seeing how i've developed from past vids, but i have deleted a few now knowing i far surpass those feeble first attempts. I think venturous should post some more video's. His tutorials helped me the most out of all the ones i could find and are the whole foundation of my duel wielding prowess.
I'm still blown away at your reverse obi - ani technique Cephalus. I'd learned how to do the obi ani previously but only that one move. You've truly shown the versatility of your skills and of that technique. I love how your combine it into many different single and duel wielding variations that i couldn't even think of. I think you've earned some force points sir despite raging with envy right now. Even the half spins, flips and hand roll techniques you've been working on are leveling up fast. Think i've neglected my single sabering skills over duel wielding and my duel wielding development is suffering. I think Your single blade moves are helping you expand on more moves faster.
Anyways. I've been working on a few new moves but i'm waiting for my saber to finish being repaired to restart my training. Need to learn your half spin technique and see if  can do it duel wielding while spinning after i've polished up my single lightsaber.
May the force serve you needs.

Can't wait to see those new movies CH3M15T. In response to your comment, yes, I think having a wide focus has helped me progress. I try something with single saber and think, "can I do that with a staff or in duel wield?" and vice versa. I find that single saber lets me experiment with technique, staff with momentum, and dual wield with muscle memory. I can't speak much to the martial training element as single saber is my go to for martial application, but as a spinner/tricker/juggler, I can say that I think switching weapons often has allowed me to view each in a more fluid and evolving way, which has (i think) aided my progress so far. I also agree about how helpful venturous's videos have been;  I am sorry I did not find him sooner as it would have saved a lot of time and aggravation while learning the single saber, as it did with the double. By the way, I still don't know what kind of force points to give you. Your current total is light side, but which do you prefer? I have to say, I am tempted to try to pull you over into the dark.

I'm glad others have benefited from my videos. I would gladly post more, but unfortunately I'm at a lack of things to post about lol. My YouTube videos contain information on all the moves I know with all three styles of saber weapons. The things I never did videos on are things that I never learned and honestly don't care to learn, such as aerials, hand rolls, acrobatics with the weapons, body rolls, etc. I find them interesting sure, but I never cared to learn them really. I think Cephalus has those down pretty well now enough to teach anyway, which goes back to combining our knowledge.

One thing I do enjoy doing is seeing a particular move, breaking it apart, and learning how it is done and how to do it myself. If there is some particular move any of you are trying to learn, but don't know how to do yet, send me a video of it (if you have one) and I'll pick it apart and learn it to the point where I can teach it. That's really the approach I took with my other videos, so I'd say I have the process down pretty well now. At one point I thought about getting into the combative aspects of the three weapon types, but I think the TPLA has covered that well enough so far.

Keep up the solid practice and keep posting videos of your progress, because we all enjoy seeing the development of skills here.

Yeah do it. I'm like a renegade grey. So almost balanced with the force but leaning towards sith anyways. lol
Just got my saber back from being repaired. £24 :S ... oh well good as new and i'm pleased now. So i'll have 2 possibly 3 videos to post. ones where i've learned some of your moves Cephalus. polished up the reverse obi's. picked up some hand rolls(ish). Might still need to work on that. And a simple duel wielding technique that came to me the other day which is rather straight forward. I'll get working on them this afternoon.

Just a short update on what I have been up to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5K4MjNoK0RI#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5K4MjNoK0RI#ws) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-oCSi9erjA#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-oCSi9erjA#ws)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IkgposHZyI#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IkgposHZyI#ws) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj1knkuEnd4#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj1knkuEnd4#ws)

Here are a few things i've been working on.

some kind of dual wielding moves i think
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M-IIaKStf4# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M-IIaKStf4#)

Advanced dual reverse grip flowers 2. better version of my first video attempt.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhHkHrQ5tJE# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhHkHrQ5tJE#)

double aerial lightsaber flip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Gq3w8xDM4Y# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Gq3w8xDM4Y#)

and my first attempt at a butterfly kick ( b-kick ). be gentle with me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfxZiMwwUsY# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfxZiMwwUsY#)

sorry for dumping so many vids all at once. and thank you for viewing.
mtfbwy

the parallel bladework is coming along nicely. That is the basic Idea that led me to the hybrid dual obi/ani but I did not think to apply it to a figure 8. Point for that. Speaking of, consider yourself redeemed and welcome to the dark side. You will find the cookies in the lobby.

So this is the end result of my most recent work. Here is my tutorial video on the dual wield application of the inverted obi/ani. In all, it covers 8 variations. As the video states, timing is all in the shoulders. Next step:reverse grip.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq_6SxadGY8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq_6SxadGY8#)

Lesson 4: Dual reverse grip alternating plumb flower
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pp-ZqrpbI-U (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pp-ZqrpbI-U)

Lesson 5: Dual reverse grip simultaneous 8's
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTRrwNrTvjY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTRrwNrTvjY)

Enjoy.
I will be posting more later on today.

Greetings everyone!

Just thought I'd share my latest practice. It's not spinning, but then Makashi is my current focus!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSLFEd5QNHg#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSLFEd5QNHg#ws)

good work Arkanus. Where've you been? lol
I need to spend more time on footwork. my main question tho is what remix of the imperial march is that? its amazing.

I've just been focusing on my practice really.

As for that remix, I'm not sure, I just found it online.

Working off of one of CH3M15T's experiments, here is a flip obi/ani along with a couple other things I have been working on.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PE8ZFy-js4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PE8ZFy-js4#)

Thats a damn fine effort there Cephalus with the obi flip spins alternating. Doing it simultaneous is a little tricky. You got a point anyways. i enjoyed that weird reverse grip spin thing, along with with hybrid dual obi ani. don't think i tried reversing the spin orders with the reverse grip. Something for me to have a go at.
I'm working on an under the leg aerial at the moment. Should be epic if i can pull it off.
 
Until i video my current moves you'll have to do with these.
parallel bladework. Think this is as far as this move can be taken. made another video last night, in the dark and chaining it to other moves but i wasn't happy with it so i'm re-shooting it tonight,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBTctXZiSH0# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBTctXZiSH0#)

here are some flips i did last night. 1 and 1/2 rotations. Apart from some of the reverse grip plumb blossoms when i add in a single rotation flip into the move.  Enjoy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shdOdj1S5l4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shdOdj1S5l4#)

So my question now is "where do I start?"

TPLA's videos are quite vast in number and I've no idea where to start, having no prior experience in... anything besides swinging a baseball bat.

Looking good on those spins CH3M15T. You get some really great speed out of a lot of those; makes me wonder how many times you caught a blade in the face while working on that reverse grip. At any rate, point for the post.


tse_epic, I think the first question you need to be able to answer is what do you want to be able to do with it? If we know your end goal, we can suggest some places to start.

Well, for one, using it as a workout is a goal of mine. For two, I'd like to be able to wield it in a semi-competent manner in dueling without resorting to 'HIT IT HARDER!' as my strategy.

Under the leg trick :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UgxBQnnLkk# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UgxBQnnLkk#)

working on making it look and feel more fluid.

For now, I would focus on building your foundations with the Shii-Cho curriculum.

Use this as a sequential guide, if you haven't found it already: https://sites.google.com/site/terraprimelightsaberacademy/the-seven-forms/form-i-shii-cho

Also, don't neglect the various footwork videos from TPLA. If you have time, review the TPLA Live! footwork and fundamentals shows. They will help fill in some blanks.

If you feel you want more individualized help from TPLA, you can also message a TPLA Master about joining the Learners in Exile program. More info can be found on the other sections of the website linked above.

For dueling, yeah, exactly what Tanq said. For a workout, you might want to consider spinning as a way to work out without using a lot of floor space. There is a collection of information on spinning here
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=18370.0 (http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=18370.0)
I would suggest starting with Venturous' single saber series.

I love you all forever.

What a difference a day makes. Here is a video of the forward and reverse version of the obi/ani flip. If you are interested in trying this, get down the motion but work the timing off of the flips. Trust your hands to do what they know how to do between the flips. Towards the end I speed it up a bit by minimizing the first backwards beat and bringing it down beside my leg. Enjoy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd8ECEJB_Ew (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd8ECEJB_Ew#)

As a bonus, a little consolidation practice. Starts with a finger roll reverse grip back and forth and then into dual obi/ani variations. Up to 11 variations by this point.  Right saber started to short out towards the end so I had to stop.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WilL2u93Ac (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WilL2u93Ac#)

Heres just a rough showcase of random moves, old and new ones i've learned.
like swapping from forward to inverted grip then back again while i'm flowering.  I think i may have thrown in some dual reverse orbits too.
Enjoy. and thanks for watching.

May the force serve you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4Cw2N38aHs# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4Cw2N38aHs#)

Here is another go around with the palm contact spin for single saber I am working on.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6y0Pw5iWIBE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6y0Pw5iWIBE#)

A freestyle practice sequence based on the moves that are going into my tutorial series in progress
www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8j2XjqaJAo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8j2XjqaJAo#)

OK, my spinning is nowhere near so advanced and you guys, but considering I've had a horrid headcold all week, I at least managed to snape this off on Friday night, so thought I'd share. (in my new costume too!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSo9Wxg-s0g#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSo9Wxg-s0g#ws)

The costume looks great and moves well. Mind if I ask if the cape is special order or homemade? At any rate, you are getting speedier with the obi/ani and you have the basic hand switch down pretty well. I see a lot of improvement over your earlier orbiting videos. Keep up the good work.

thanks on all counts. I'm not much of a saber spinner, but I can do some basic things fairly well. I can actually do more "tricks" than shown here, but most would just get caught up in the cape (it's amazing the extra consideration a 9ft circle cape requires!)

It is a custom cape made by a friend in the UK who happens to also be a costumerer. I would highly recommend his work to ANYONE looking to get pieces done. Mine was based on Count Dooku's but with specific alterations so that it wasn't an exact replica (colour, fabric, lining, piping etc) and he did it from scratch, without a pattern, and with only a handful of reference pics! Amazing. :D

Anyway, I'm  glad you liked the video, it is definitely my favour spinning effort!

My most recent work with the obi/ani flips
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DvWt5BUc0I (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DvWt5BUc0I#)

That was really cool Darth Arkanus, especially in costume! Point.

Thanks sandman! It's a lot harder than it, hopefully, looks! haha

couldn't view it...

OK, you guys got me thinking. Now I cannot do "juggling" moves to save my life, but you did get me thinking about putting another rotation in an old favourite.

Please note, I had ZERO space here, so this is a slow "proof of concept" video.

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYg77-13BF0#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYg77-13BF0#ws)

I checked the embedding. It seems to work fine. I would call it a fluke.

Cephalus i've got down the reverse obi ani's and some variations. but reverse obi flips with two is too much for me. i can do each hand but trying to chain them together like that seems tricky.  point to you sir. I can pull off the juggling obi ani forwards. but todays practice was crap. i didn't land any of the simultaneous obi flips. The first vid of mine i'd call a fluke cos i haven't done it since. :-(
been working on other flips / juggling and finger and palm rolling while spinning.
I should really refine some more under the leg moves but my saber is a rather long aeon with a beast of a blade.

I have also had trouble with the simultaneous. I can land it but it breaks whatever chain I am in. As for the reverse flips, look for a tutorial some time soon over in non martial arts. The trick is timing the flips.

Tried my hand (or my leg as it were) at CH3M15T's under leg passes. Here are the preliminary results.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZc4CMrfKL4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZc4CMrfKL4#)

Also completed my tutorial on dual wield applications of flips and spins featuring a timing tutorial on the forward and reverse obi/ani flips (what some of you have been calling saber juggling). I did not cover the simultaneous. Maybe later when I am more comfortable with it. Enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTVZ9HYMoL4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTVZ9HYMoL4)

Cephalus good post on those tutorials and excellent work on doing the under the leg pass. Your powers grow strongeeeeer. I think its funny when you chain each leg after each other it reminds me of a strange clapping dance of some nonsense.

Oh on your horizontal palm spin. i can do it above my head using a finger roll technique that when i've got enough momentum and my finger is in the right place. :-s . you can sort of push it around in the air and catch it, (easier in reverse grip) before it falls on you and you cut your own head off.
as demonstrated below. bit dark tho, so you can't seen the finger work

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x014R8Ly_so# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x014R8Ly_so#)


and this is just reverse grip orbits in the dark because i wanted to see how it looked. and the camera beattery ran out half way though. :-/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eF_lV-D8A68# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eF_lV-D8A68#)

Trying a new trick

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8tf_t1-qFQ#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8tf_t1-qFQ#ws)

That is exactly what it reminded me of when I was doing it. That over head spin is interesting. I would love to see that with some more light so that I can see what you are doing there.

heres a quick tutorial for the finger roll type move. until your fingers (middle and index) can push the hilt around in the air. think i forgot to elaborate this point in the video. but anyways. With enough speed you can get quite a few spins but the difficulty and chances of it landing on your head increase.
Hope this helps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeFTO6J01pw# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeFTO6J01pw#)

Thanks for that. So it looks like you are doing basically what I am doing here but overhead. I'll have to give that a try.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRY2qpGKnm0 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRY2qpGKnm0#)

yeah! i should have just referenced your own video back at you. lol. I think the most rotations i can do is 5. when it just feels like your nudging the hilt around in the air. should be easy for you to pick up Cephalus. May the force Serve your needs.

I tried it this morning. Same basic move though the momentum is different. What I was impressed by was the speed with which you were able to do that finger roll overhead. That is one place you definitely have a big leg up. I have seen the same in a lot of the reverse grip work you are doing. Point for that. If only there were a way to chain that finger roll so that when it hits the pinky, it can be picked up by the index finger and go indefinitely. Maybe that is a discussion best had in the other thread though.

Here are a couple things I am working on. Dual wield 1/2 palm spins and perpetual finger rolls. Still very much works in progress.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iazhwjWw7IM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iazhwjWw7IM#)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=02NaGBgUPhI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02NaGBgUPhI#)

i'll have to give that dual hand spins a go. now that you're smoother. i can see where the palm positions change more easily. You're so much more on the ball when it comes to intricate fingle rolling, palm spins and hand/arm rolls. Your above the head finger rolls spin aswell. Thought if anyone would pull it off it would be you. Can you keep it going, over and over? I think i'd still prefure my sort of finger push around  move as you can get soon good speed before it drops.


Anyway.
because i left the video on private for days, i thought i'd post it  in here too. Might be more showboating, juggling and flair than traditional martial art practices. but still demonstrates my progess learning these technical moves. And i would say the form would be close to soresu.

So enjoy my soresu based juggling. Enjoy  ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N26tkPK2ca4# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N26tkPK2ca4#)

Yes and no. Technically, the overhead finger roll can go on indefinitely. Practically, there is a chance on each attempt that your fingers will get hung up and you will have to resort to catching it in reverse grip as yo can see me do in the video. When that happens it is over.

A dual wield easter practice session set to music. Features work with flips, different flourishes and flowers, reverse grip switches, aerials, hand switches, and horribly colored blades. Enjoy

www.youtube.com/watch?v=djh2WOtDYhk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djh2WOtDYhk#ws)

A may the 4th practice video of dula wield techniques. Features forward and inverse obi/ani spins, with and without flips, alternating and simultaneous, in normal and reverse grip. Also features two different types of hand switches. Enjoy.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0O8YNBiXzs&feature=youtu.be (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0O8YNBiXzs#ws)

If I can add a few tips/ideas?
1: Practice in costume, get used to sparring in what you wear
2: if you have a friend who knows how to use a sword PROPERLY (can't stress that enough) get with them for basic ideas
3: Spear saber would be cool to see.   :)

Thanks guys, when I get back to the states, and practice a little, I'll try and post something

This practice session features me playing around with the idea of a circular flowers set patterned off the clock face spin. Also featured are split and recombined flowers finished off with the reverse dual Obi/Ani.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gg_Z-jVQrZI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gg_Z-jVQrZI#)

Might as well post this over here too. I'm taking a break a bit from being serious. If only there were a way for a budget ninja to master dual wield flower spins and transitions at work and in his back yard. Help me DEVO, you're my only hope!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbEkb42B5ro (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbEkb42B5ro#)

This one highlights some of my investigation into dual wield flowers, circular flowers, split flowers, flower hand switches and related areas. Mostly it is just playing around to DEVO. Enjoy.

Where is everyone else lately? This is too good an idea to let it go inactive. For my part here's some Jar'Kai work. This started as a practice session where I was working on the dual hand switch, but after I landed it a few times, I slipped into freestyle and ended up doing most of the moves that will be covered in an upcoming series. I left it as one take and set to Iron Maiden's 2 Minutes to Midnight. Enjoy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yk0QTtl5SKo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yk0QTtl5SKo#)

I haven't got to rock out my staff very much I'm hoping a friend will get a saber so we can play

Ok Heres a couple of vids i've recently done. In the first i'm experimenting with the reverse grip, reverse plum. and forward grip with my off hand sort of following and tweaking out different spins to see whats doable.
The 2nd some nice night time spinning. enjoy

! Private video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8Cf2ZGE5Hs#)

! Private video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqFazA4VaPc#)

i have tons of videos to upload on my computer, anyone care to explain how i post them?

you need to upload them to a site like youtube or photobucket (I recommend the former because it will imbed in the forum). If you do not have a youtube account, go to their site and sign up. I am pretty sure a Google+ account will transfer if you have one of those. Once you have an account, youtube has an upload button in the upper left. Upload the files from your computer and paste the address of the youtube watch page into the forum. You have to remove the https from the front to get it to imbed properly.

ahh ty! I will be uploading them to youtube today

i think i got it a few duels uploaded more to come
http://plus.google.com/u/0/b/106882039901505516858/106882039901505516858/videos?hl=en (http://plus.google.com/u/0/b/106882039901505516858/106882039901505516858/videos?hl=en)

Another practice session where i'm attempting some difficult and advanced spinning and juggling tricks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQypbwbjuzM# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQypbwbjuzM#)

I figured I would post this here as well. It is my submission for a holiday video montage. If you want more info on it or want to make your own, look over in the video section of this forum. Mine is a little like what my typical practice sessions with single saber look like. Contains flips, spins, and footwork. It starts out slow, but picks up speed about one minute in. I usually don't film these, focusing on stationary spins, tutorials, or specific moves. I think it is active enough that it definitely fits the mission statement of this thread.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCTSOjNVQ9c (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCTSOjNVQ9c#ws)

this is an excellent idea. i don't know how i missed this thread up until now. once the weather breaks i will throw up some vids of my clumsy work.

Suppose I shall post my submission as well. Looking forward to the upcoming montage video for this year. Hopefully we have more participants.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFO1--xt-bo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFO1--xt-bo#ws)

Well, here's my little contribution. Once I get the camera to work, I'll show a more indepth video of a training session for me! Also included a little tip for strengthening your forarms and wrists!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DX20yQTNpgg&feature=youtu.be (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DX20yQTNpgg&feature=youtu.be)

Many thanks :)

Just realized I should have copied this here as well. This is the one from the St. Patty's thread.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDPXbzv3rc4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDPXbzv3rc4#ws)

Challenge gladly accepted, hope to shoot more videos in the future.

dude, where are these filmed? i can't really tell if those are books or movies all over the place, but either way, i'd like to go there. haha

Those are videos. I own the second largest video store in Oregon and have a tendency to practice in the aisles when things are slow.

man, that's awesome! that reminds me of the places i used to spend hours in looking for obscure/insane films. if you weren't across the country, i'd be your biggest customer :)

thanks for the memories though :)

Well, no shame in contributing. So, here it goes.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TP1jzpkGDc (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TP1jzpkGDc#ws)
Any tips are more than appreciated

You've got the saber. You've got the skills. Now all you need is a costume to bring it all together. :P Also, what color is your saber in?

Great Video Ultoria! You've got skills!
Point to you for sharing.

Thanks, it's in SRD. Didn't expect these compliments, I've had this thing for like a week!

Many thanks.  ;D

Going to make a shorty of me dueling with
'Ghosts' to the song You got another thing
coming by Judas Priest.

Mordeus, to be honest, only having it for a week doesn't matter! The only one who determines how good you become, is you!

The more time your willing to put in, and the more of yourself you give, the more your skills will advance and increase :)

That was actually Ultoria's video, I just commented on it. If it were my vid you would see a Fat middle aged guy running around out of breath. :o
Beside haven't got my saber yet, it looks like it will be here tomorrow when I get home. ;D

Lol, woops XD.


Oh well, advice still stands, the more you practice, the better you'll get XD

Ultoria,

great video. Since you asked for pointers though, I would have to say that your hand switch looks pretty comfortable but you seem only to use it to get the saber inverted into your left hand and then right back into your right. Try adding another .5 rotation so you are not in reverse grip and spend some time with the left hand before moving it back over. Even if it is just a spin or two, it will get you more proficient with your off hand in fairly short order.

Thank you all for this wonderful advice! As I move into more advance technique I will absolutely keep this in mind. I've began to enter to combat world as well, so I think all of this will tie in very well. Won't be the last you'll see of me for sure!

Going along with what Cephalus said, training more in your left hand will get your ready for dual-wielding, if that is a direction you want to go. The more you practice with each hand, the easy that transition will be if you ever want to use two sabers.

Surely taking this advice. As far as which direction I want to go, I think I want to do as much as I can with my single saber before going on to wield two. I'll do what I can with what I have, but it would be awesome to go up to dual wielding in the future.

This thread is brilliant. I would like to thank all the contributors for their time uploading vids.

I have a lot to learn  ;D

This was something I made after buying new batteries for my sabers (which have gone without batteries for about two years now). I felt I had to make a video with them again now that they are actually functioning.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoJ8DKtL5Vg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoJ8DKtL5Vg#ws)

Since the OP was about saber fights, I decided to post this:https://youtu.be/5CZw_wdgoi4 (https://youtu.be/5CZw_wdgoi4)
This is Kendo with Ultrasabers instead of shinai...and no we are NOT pulling punches in this video.

Hey Darth Tony,
Pretty Cool.
Did you see the one I posted yesterday?
It is several of our students on our last dueling day. They all have a round with me first to set the pace, then other student rounds are set. Various ages, skill levels and experiences are represented.
It is here:

https://youtu.be/CkmHuNfXqwk (https://youtu.be/CkmHuNfXqwk)

That's really impressive, you're movement are very fluid. I'd really like to be able to do that! I only practice atm the obi-ani, i'd really like to know how to spin the blade all around me.

A well deserved point for that video!

Many thanks. The obi-ani (or shoulder roll as I now call it) is one that seems to give a lot of people problems. I've done videos covering it in detail on my channel if you think you need more info on it. All it takes is patience and practice.

if this thread is still going, then here is a video thats more recent instead of last year. This is where i am for dual wielding at the moment. Most of these moves now i'm either learning to do it in reverse grip, or just practicing it to make it smooth and fast ;-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogp1M_vLFTs

A video showing Jodan Kendo with light sabers.  This was a full contact sparring session.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjQaecckRgw

This is amazing.  Once the blades get here, i too will film some. I am 100% a novice, having one year of formal martial arts training.. back in '91 in 8th grade,  couldnt tell you the style.  Though i do spar with wooden blades and sticks with a couple buddies.  none of us have any formal training just whats stopped us from getting smacked over the decades from each other.  I got a blade for my dad as well.  Will film us both, and anyone else that is going to spar with one of my blades.  At first at least for me, it will be unformed just flashy light swings, until i figure out which of the blades is the one that calls to me.   Then ill pick a style and work on becoming proficient with it.

Hi everyone! EeRocKK here. Sorry I've been away for so long, but I'm still here, and I'm still proud to be a TPLA Apprentice. In that regard, the headmasters have been really busy creating and getting things ready for a solid future of lightsaber combat and fitness. We're still going strong, getting stronger, and still promoting fitness and safety with these combat lightsabers.

Check out one of the latest videos on major and minor orbits. (Why we "spin" our sabers the way we do)  ;D

Ask us any questions below, or join us on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/216102491884150/)

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

More videos from me soon, too.

Thanks for sharing eerockk . . . good to see you back  :)

I've seen a lot about TPLA and watched some videos but haven't gone any further . . . this is something I need in my future for sure . . .  8)

It's free and it goes as far as you want it to. Start by browsing some of the videos in the TPLA YouTube channel. That will give you an idea of what we're about. We love questions and discussions, too!

for some reason the image i get in my mind is from the last samurai when they are training tom cruze to use a sword and beating the crap out of him.

I have not done a lot of martial training but all the protective equipment aside, I have always found it to be more useful to simply move slow and not try to injure your partner. When i was boxing, we used gloves of course but the best way for me to learn not to get punched in the face was by being punched in the face a couple times. (and now my brain goes to DBZ abridged when Piccolo is training Gohan.....  "DODGE!!!")

So do we on this idea. I was told that the reasoning behind this is that faster speeds have the ability to hide one's mistakes and bad habits with training. Slowing down offers the practitioner a chance to see any areas that need improvement, or offers someone watching it on video a chance to spot them for you.

We beat the phrase "Slow is smooth; smooth is fast" to death for a good reason. :) 

I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.

Bruce Lee

That's what I tell my kid when he asks me why I do the same stuff over and over and over...

There's no limit to how many times one needs to be reminded of the idea Bruce was talking about in that quote. Good post!

Hey everyone!

Recorded some staff free form. ( Dont do this with your lightsaber! )

I have a lightsaber staff on the way. Obviously i wont be using it this way but i wish i could.

Hope you enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaDjltfPjME

I have quite a bit of respect for Bruce Lee.

Im just gonna leave this here https://youtu.be/APx2yFA0-B4

https://www.facebook.com/MorgothMantorok/videos/10207562329874936/?l=5845967674744183159

https://www.facebook.com/MorgothMantorok/videos/10207562395956588/?l=291226334954918835

https://www.facebook.com/MorgothMantorok/videos/10207562429117417/?l=3231092382357374568

hope these links work. im the one flailing like a fool with the red saber. this is my first day actually dueling, i never had a fight like this but i had a blast. my friend sebastion has been fighting with anything swordlike for years so i was very out classed

You can always attack immovable objects. Even add " arms " and " legs " to it.

In keeping with the topic of this post. I thought i'd throw this in there. A simple workout with my Shinai. im thinking of using the DS LE v4 on the skeleton for a durability test of sorts....from what everyone is telling me, it should take a beating.

Hope you like it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-iZFlmfXec

id realy like to have something like that to practice on

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idjRSI6N1O0

here was my second day of dueling, i am the taller guy with the red saber. im still editing part 2 but ill put it up once i finish it
not sure how to get the embedded video to work

sorry for the double posting but i edited that last post too much to change it now, not sure how to get that embedded player working...

part 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aP9Ym__rLgs

part 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzf9IVAL9_U

This forum is awesome!!

The amount of people dying in 30 seconds  :P

yeah it is!

https://youtu.be/qDNOu6EraLk

not sure why i cant get the embedding to work for me

You need to start it with a www instead of an https. Go to your video's view page, copy the address, paste, remove the https and it should embed.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Jnj5Kr0sQM


ah it works! on thanks, this is a separate video btw

Thank you.  i cannot wait to get a dueling lightsaber.  so excited to be part of this group.  we will do.

thanks .  i will have some shadow work in the future.  this is a great community.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VSo8TTuvADY (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VSo8TTuvADY)
This is the beginning of a fight scene between my brother and I. I used this to mess with the special effects were gonna use. Since I've never used a program like this before, this was my first test. This form is designed to be 1 saber or dual saber performed. In video 2, you'll see more of the same form, with dual sabers.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DYeT8A6CTDo (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DYeT8A6CTDo)
The dual form...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HNEFIx4t75U (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HNEFIx4t75U)
And this is the first 5 seconds of said dual with the effects added... "Single before dual"

challenge excepted. I didn't earn the title Battle Master among our little clan of force sensitives for nothing.
hopefully will be putting some personal battles on my youtube account soon

Love the video's!
A day at the gym will never be the same

I'm planning to do exactly this.  My martial arts training is 20 years old and I'm way out of shape so I'll initially be using my phantom for strength and flexibility training.  As I do this I plan to document everything from a noob point of view as I work my way up to training specific forms.  Its going to be embarrassing, but I hope my feeble attempts can give other people the courage to do the same.

Challenge accepted.  https://youtu.be/bONGwdB6HMk

This is one of my favorite highlights from recent sparring.   Always full contact www.facebook.com/groups/1773765996252148/permalink/1773767342918680/

Some Range Control Freeform on static targets. Nothing special. Any excuse to train!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ9I33yglbc

When I purchase my first sabers I will definitely try uploading my practices

I have to practice more before contributing to this, can't wait!

Master R your videos are always the best! I love that training structure. Did you construct that at the dojo or is it outside? The flow was great, I am always in awe of your skills, my master.

I am working on practicing 2-handed techniques with my extra long Guardian style(green default)  Grand Master with 40 inch blade.  I have been practicing some but 2-Handed styles are a bit different then shorter blade.
I have watched a few Utubes.. but  This old guardian is rusty with his techniques.. any suggestions?? thanks. Yes I went with Diamond sound and combat thick tube.

I think I might purchase a punching post to help work on my saber fighting. Once my new saberstaff comes.

This is a great idea !