What are everyone's prefered forms of Saber Combat?

[Khalis Artel]

I think what many people overlook in the Prequels is the Prophecy of the Chosen One.  Anakin was allowed to do things that would have caused others not to be trained or passed to the level of Knight. 

I think this can be seen today in the fact that certain people are allowed to get away with not obeying rules because of whom they know or to whom they are related while others are required to follow said rules.

We all know someone who is currently in a seat of power or control and our first reaction is "I wonder who they knew to get this job." 

Yoda had a firm belief that age was a great factor in the training of a Jedi.  I was late in life staring my martial arts career and sometimes it is frustrating to take lessons from someone ten years your junior but I have to remember that age does not always equal wisdom and talent and therefore when I let go of the pride, I can be properly trained. 

Anakin was frustrated because there were people his age that were much more advanced in title and assignments than he was and therefore it left him open for Sith manipulation of his insecurities. 

To be honest I feel like 'at birth taken' jedi, like most jedi before the rise of the galactic empire, are inferior to jedi who came to the order as young adults on (as most of Luke's Jedi would). True, they had a greater chance of being epic in combat, having been trained for decades longer naturally would make them better... except by the time of the Clone Wars most had let their combat training become far more lax than most of the prequel heroes as demonstrated by the absolute slaughter of Jedi at Geonosis and again at the Jedi Temple during Order 66.

Whereas full adults have more context and experience that allows them to connect and apply whats being taught to them to themselves... ergo, I think there is some advantage to how Anakin was trained... had he not become so close to effectively the Devil.

And yeah, not really an appropriate discussion but we got off topic. Woot.

[Master Bluespike74]

Wasn't trying to get off topic but more on topic is that we all know people that hand out promotions and distinctions like candy at a parade. 

When being trained to properly handle a weapon (in this case a saber) you want to find those that have experience and have a similar goal to yours.

In Shaolin Kempo, we study 5 animal styles.  Each of these animals has a good fit for a student.  We challenge ourselves to learn styles that don't always fit our preferred style but in the end, we tend to sit with the style that comes most natural to us. 

When I fought MMA, I was classified as Heavy Weight.  Crane techniques don't do well for me because you are expected to be in the air alot.  I am more of a Tiger technique guy because it is strength based and up close fighting. 

In saber combat, I would probably choose a style that allows the same.  My first saber purchases got the standard mid grade at 36".  The mid grade just did not feel right to me.  Too light.  I then went Heavy Grade and this felt better but I found that something was amiss.  Once I began conversing with Master Nero (who is a fencing instructor and I am criticized in martial arts for my assuming a fencer's stance), I learned that shortening my blades to 32" not only felt more comfortable, I felt more in control and better able to get closer to my opponents.

Short distances and quick strikes just feel more natural to me.  Being a person of size means that I have a natural tendency to look a little scary up close and then having a shorter blade that allows for faster and stronger motions means that I have fear and surprise working to my advantage.

Now as to which of the Lightsaber 7 forms this most closely fits, I have not a clue.

[Daven Vash]

I am more of a Tiger technique guy because it is strength based and up close fighting. 

Short distances and quick strikes just feel more natural to me.

This sounds like Form V, to me. Specifically Djem-So. Though, really... Any form can be used "up close and personal."

It's just the way you describe your preferred fighting style... Strength based, getting up close and personal.
Would you say that you would overpower your opponents, in order to dominate your field of battle?

[Daniel Anteron]

I'm a blend between Makashi and Soresu. It really depends on which hand I'm holding the saber in. If it's my right Soresu. My left Makashi. Sounds silly I know, but since I have an old injury it makes it a little hard for me to do spins with my left hand. The outer bone in my forearm will kind of pop. It's an old injury I've had for a very very long time. There's no pain just makes it hard to keep a good spin going when every time you twist your wrist it pops.

[Master Bluespike74]

This sounds like Form V, to me. Specifically Djem-So. Though, really... Any form can be used "up close and personal."

It's just the way you describe your preferred fighting style... Strength based, getting up close and personal.
Would you say that you would overpower your opponents, in order to dominate your field of battle?

Being in control and dominating the field via surprises are very signature for me.  I like to see them burn out when possible so that I am expending the least amount of energy.  Being a person of size means that people attempt to hit me harder than is really necessary so it makes it really fun to through a hard block that does more injury to them than to me.  This is usually the point in which they want to back away and I keep moving toward them until they have very little room left to move and therefore must fight in desperation.  This leads to the fact that they become sloppy and gives me ample openings in which to pick them apart and eventually win. 

The most common mistakes that my opponents make about me is that since I am a person of size, I must be slow in reaction time.  Quick strikes take them very much by surprise.  I also like to do some unorthodox things in the ring such as punching low and high at the same time.  Most opponents that I have faced think about one at a time punching and therefore the double strike overwhelms defenses and they hesitate allowing at least one strike to get through.  Where my weakness lies in this is that I am leaving no room to defend myself.

All this is really making me want to get a saber staff really soon.

[Daven Vash]

I'm a blend between Makashi and Soresu. It really depends on which hand I'm holding the saber in. If it's my right Soresu. My left Makashi.

That is odd, but considering your old injury it makes perfect sense. You compensate for the limitation by changing your style. : )

Being in control and dominating the field via surprises are very signature for me.

This is very Djem-So.

I like to see them burn out when possible so that I am expending the least amount of energy.

However, this actually seems very Soresu to me. Though it could be argued that it is Shien, which would still be Form V. And, again, everything else you've said sounds very Djem-So.

I'm interested in actually seeing how you fight. As soon as school's back in session, and we're having regular practices again, you need to try and come to some. : D

[IX 336]

As a fencer I prefer Makashi over all the other techniques simply because it is very similar to many things I already know from bladed combat, though Ataru is pretty kick ass

[Darth Kitsune]

In terms of Saber combat, I prefer Soresu. I'm currently working with that and trying to get back in sync with myself and lightsaber combat. Because of college I haven't had much time to practice. I would enjoy learning and practicing with Juyo however.

[Theron]

I've been trying to figure out what form I am. I have tons of footwork, spins, and turning my body, and I'm ALWAYS in their face or standing with my saber directly in front of me. I just need to find someone who isn't just out to "kill" me, and fight me like an actual saber battle. (aka not just slash slash slash etc like a sword battle, y'know what I mean, "flashy" saber battles")

[Daven Vash]

As a fencer I prefer Makashi over all the other techniques simply because it is very similar to many things I already know from bladed combat, though Ataru is pretty kick ass

I totally get that. It's the same reason I've always preferred Ataru. : D

Because of college I haven't had much time to practice.

I think we can all relate to that. As fun as this stuff is, something are most definitely more important. That being said... WINTER BREAK IS UPON US!!!

As my friend Khalis would probably say: "TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN, and uh... TRAIN!" lol

I've been trying to figure out what form I am. I have tons of footwork, spins, and turning my body, and I'm ALWAYS in their face or standing with my saber directly in front of me. I just need to find someone who isn't just out to "kill" me, and fight me like an actual saber battle. (aka not just slash slash slash etc like a sword battle, y'know what I mean, "flashy" saber battles")

I totally get you, there. Sometimes Khalis and I (because he's the only member of our group that consistently trains with me) have to just slow down and work on technique in our duels. Though we enjoy going full-speed as well. : p

Did you ever think that maybe because you can't really decide what form you would prefer that you might like Niman? It does take bits and pieces from everything before it. Just a thought, there. : )

[Darth Kitsune]

Oh yeah. In fact, my first actual day off starting Winter Break was yesterday, and I was warming up with some Form I using an old, modified bo-staff to get into the groove of things.

[Khalis Artel]

As my friend Khalis would probably say: "TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN, and uh... TRAIN!" lol

I totally get you, there. Sometimes Khalis and I (because he's the only member of our group that consistently trains with me) have to just slow down and work on technique in our duels. Though we enjoy going full-speed as well. : p

Did you ever think that maybe because you can't really decide what form you would prefer that you might like Niman? It does take bits and pieces from everything before it. Just a thought, there. : )

Yes. Sadly, not many people want to spend an hour or two a day after work to train. I don't get it it are make me SAD.

also, the above statement has as much sarcasm and silliness in it as I can add. This is the internet however, and I need to STATE so.

[Daven Vash]

Oh yeah. In fact, my first actual day off starting Winter Break was yesterday, and I was warming up with some Form I using an old, modified bo-staff to get into the groove of things.

Awesome! : D

Yes. Sadly, not many people want to spend an hour or two a day after work to train. I don't get it it are make me SAD.

also, the above statement has as much sarcasm and silliness in it as I can add. This is the internet however, and I need to STATE so.

As sarcastic as your statement was, I'm betting it was also true. : p

[Khalis Artel]

... the truth behind it is that I am sad I have no-one other than you to duel that does that.

[Daven Vash]

Good point...