TPLA Live! Friday the 13th Edition: Adapting Real-World Techniques

[Tanq]

Welcome to this week's TPLA Live! This week, the masters at TPLA will be hosting a discussion on translating real-world weapons techniques to the lightsaber. Because the lightsaber doesn't have flats or blade edges per se, some techniques may require adjustments, and others, like half-swording....well, we assume that you wouldn't want to stick your own hand into the path of a glowing plasma cutter.

As always, you can tune in tomorrow, Friday evening, from 7pm-8pm Eastern via Youtube live stream here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/TerraPrimeLightsaber

Comments, questions, etc., ask them here!

[BenPass]

I've got a question. I'm unsure if it's been discussed before as I'm usually busy on Fridays and don't get much time to catch up on the videos, but it refers to real world guards. Specifically, the window guard.... Is the window guard still useful in saber combat, or does the risk of "blinding yourself" or simply overwhelming your eyes and missing an opponent's movement outweigh the uses of such a guard?

[Tanq]

Hmm, personally I don't have an issue with window guard (or Ochs, pretty much same thing I think). If your saber is that blindingly bright you could try hoisting the hilt a bit higher, but still keeping threat with the blade point. It's still very useful to parry and attack from, though some traditional techniques that may require a crossguard for protection/blade displacement may not work or need adjustments...hopefully this question can be addressed in the show to your satisfaction.

[Xavier Temple]

Does the lack of a guard/quillion/crossbar affect how single handed sabre techniques are performed vs say European broadsword?  I suppose I am really referring to the vulnerability of the hand, which in my experience was less of an issue with two handed sword.

[Tanq]

Here we go ladies & gentlemen:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmB7L9FMk58" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmB7L9FMk58</a>

[Tanq]

This week is Part 2 of adapting real-world techniques to LED saber combat! Anticipating demonstrations by Masters Nonymous and VorNach. Same time, same channel (see above). Again, questions, comments, observations before and after the show are appreciated.

[eerockk]

I look forward to this. Last week's show was fantastically informative.

[eerockk]

I look forward to this. Last week's show was fantastically informative.

Here's the link to this week's show - live now!

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3r_lzNdU9e4" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3r_lzNdU9e4</a>

Ask questions below or on the YouTube feed.

[Master Venturous]

This was a good show, although I missed my chance to ask my question, which was what role the dynamics of having a choke point play as opposed to not having one.

[Master VorNach]

This was a good show, although I missed my chance to ask my question, which was what role the dynamics of having a choke point play as opposed to not having one.

Could you clarify what you mean? Are you referring to a weapon with a "choke" on the grip, like some lightsabers or some other form of choke point?

[Master Venturous]

Could you clarify what you mean? Are you referring to a weapon with a "choke" on the grip, like some lightsabers or some other form of choke point?

I mean a choke point on the hilt itself, much like the ones found on the Aeon/Dominix/Prophecy models. It would seem to me that a choke point wouldn't play a major role in combat, but would it change the dynamics of how the weapon was handled or any techniques with the weapon?

[Master VorNach]

I mean a choke point on the hilt itself, much like the ones found on the Aeon/Dominix/Prophecy models. It would seem to me that a choke point wouldn't play a major role in combat, but would it change the dynamics of how the weapon was handled or any techniques with the weapon?

Thanks. Like with many aspects of hilt/blade assembly it's going to be specific to the individual. Hilt diameter, length, weight, balance point. These are all elements that are going to be different for each person.
I like the choke point on my Dom v3 but that's because I've got shorter fingers; the choke point allows me to keep a good grip on the hilt. If there were no choke points on a hilt of that diameter I probably wouldn't use that model.
I think it's less about techniques and more about how comfortable the hilt is in your hands.