Darth Sabre's aproach to TPLA's Shii Cho Dulon

[Darth Sabre]

One thing to think about as you do this is weight distribution. Which foot is most of the weight on with each step.

Just shot you an email with a suggestion! Feel free to edit everything at will or mail back any suggestions.

[Darth Nonymous]

Just shot you an email with a suggestion! Feel free to edit everything at will or mail back any suggestions.

Just wanted to drop a note and say how impressed I am with this. Very nice work. I will be in touch via email soon.

[4stringjedi]

Have a point for awesome determination and dedication

[Darth Sabre]

My dear Masters,

knowing I have only just begun integrating your advice, I still want to post a video of my progress so far, mainly to hear (well, read  ) if I'm going in the right direction. I think I understood the essence of your advice, to master it will take a lot more time, of course!

Here's what I tried to do (all concerning footwork):

1) closer stance side by side
2) slightly lower center of gravity (though that's tougher than I supposed; not come that far up to now  )
3) correct position of the feet in the different stances.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJW5gns7eYM" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJW5gns7eYM</a>

Because this is about footwork, please excuse the absence of my head or my saber in some positions ! 

P.S.: The more I watch the video, the more things I see that need my further attention. Damn, a door has been opened ... 

[Solinus]

The floodgates have swung open and released the full might of The Force! Great job! Dark side point to you. Keep going my friend! All I can add is to practice over and over. Take Trajectory One and practice only it until it looks like your own. Give it a little twist of your own personality.

You've motivated me to film my version of Trajectory One.

[Oramac]

Ver cool!  Definitely a point for you. 

Also, since this is about footwork, I'd like to pose an additional question to the Masters.  In Darth Sabre's video he takes what look like very small steps (especially in Trajectory 1).  I tend to take much larger steps, possibly on account of my height.  Does it make any real difference to the execution of the moves?  For the record, this is an observation and comparison, not a critique of you or your work, Darth Sabre.  I'm in no position to critique anyone. 

[Darth Sabre]

  For the record, this is an observation and comparison, not a critique of you or your work, Darth Sabre.  

Glad for everyone who joins this post to explore the mysteries of the TLPA Dulon ...  Great way to learn; the more people have questions, the more answers I get ! 

And POINT for your politeness and carefulness, Oramac. 

[Darth Sabre]

Update:

Corrected saber-position (Trajectory Two: Parry Zone 1)


Deeper stance (Trajectory Two: Shii Cho Sun)

Though I'm not sure if the sole of the right foot must stay flat on the floor.

[Genkaku Sho`shyk]

Darth Sabre.... i commend your determination, for you have inspired another to join you in the forms mystery discovery... i too shall be working on form videos... i am still trying to figure out what form i would more fit.. i will have videos soon. point for darth sabre indeed

[Darth Nonymous]

Update:

Corrected saber-position (Trajectory Two: Parry Zone 1)


Deeper stance (Trajectory Two: Shii Cho Sun)

Though I'm not sure if the sole of the right foot must stay flat on the floor.

Looks good. Just make sure your knee tracks with your foot (toe pints the same direction). In the kneeling stance, the heel can come up off the floor, but make sure your foot does not go to it's side like in the photo. Simply allow the heel to rise was you drop your knee into the kneeling stance. Don't actually rest your knee on the floor unless you need to. But be ready to turn for the next trajectory.

Again, keep up the good work.

[Stiletto]

you have inspired another to join you in the forms mystery discovery... i too shall be working on form videos... i am still trying to figure out what form i would more fit..

Please do not forget all those who have gone before you on this path. Search YouTube for the seven forms (Shii-Cho, Makashi, Soresu, Ataru, Shien/ Djem So, Niman, Juyo / Vaapaad) , and be rewarded with videos. Terra Prime Lightsaber Academy's work is a definite must-see.

As for determining what you are, see this thread to give you possibly an idea.
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=10894.0

This thread is also useful:
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=10757.0

[Darth Sabre]

Happy New Year for us all!

Looks good. Just make sure your knee tracks with your foot (toe pints the same direction). In the kneeling stance, the heel can come up off the floor, but make sure your foot does not go to it's side like in the photo. Simply allow the heel to rise was you drop your knee into the kneeling stance. Don't actually rest your knee on the floor unless you need to. But be ready to turn for the next trajectory.

Knee/foot: roger roger (not like in pictures 4 and 6 below  ). Foot on its side: I thought so ...
Thanks again for your feedback and guidance, Master.

And because pictures seem to be more effective (at some point) than videos, here are some stills.

TRAJECTORY ONE

(sorry for the missing feet in the last row; they are mainly parallel, apart from the Hutt Slide)

@Master Nero: lower center of gravity accomplished ?

If something's catching your eye: any feedback is most welcome !!!

Tracectory Two will be following shortly!

Darth Sabre.... i commend your determination, for you have inspired another to join you in the forms mystery discovery... i too shall be working on form videos... i am still trying to figure out what form i would more fit.. i will have videos soon. point for darth sabre indeed

Inspired a JEDI to improve in lightsaber combat? WHAT HAVE I DONE ...... ? 

[Genkaku Sho`shyk]

there may be a day ... when the likes of you and I face one another in a duel.. <.<..... and i shall welcome the challenge at that time... i look forward to it my brother in the force... lol.. keep up the hard work

 

[Darth Sabre]

Trajectory Two


And more questions:

Transition from Traj. 1 to Traj. 2, when you move from Hutt Slide to a back stance (Parry), is the weight staying on the left (back) foot in both stances or is it on the right (forward) foot at the end of the Hutt Slide and then shifted to the left (back) foot?

Picture 2 (Orbit): I suppose the feet should already be "closed" at that point (or doesn't it matter as long as they are "closed" at some point)?

What exactly is the difference between the Shii Cho Sun and the Shii Cho Mok (all I can identify is the saber going overhead in the "Mok" while being more at the side with the "Sun")?

[Darth Sabre]

While waiting for your opinion on my questions to Trajectory Two, I want to share a PM with very detailed advice from Master VorNach with you all. Hope this is of some interest for others, too!

"Darth Saber
I wanted to applaud your dedication to study and your willingness to share your progress so openly on the forum.

You're getting excellent feedback from the other Resident masters but after your most recent post I wanted to offer up a few observations / suggestions.

Briefly, relax your shoulders. I see at points you are lifting them up high.
Keep your feet and knees pointing in the same direction.
Watch the spacing between your feet. Think of having a straight rope on the ground. Generally speaking you want to have your feet spaced on either side of that line, and definitely not crossed (right foot on left side of the line or vice versa).

These are things to watch for as they are not consistent issues. Your form looks good and you are making excellent progress. Keep up the great work.

V"

Reply:
"My Dear Master VorNach,
thank you very much for your detailed advice; I am very grateful for that.

1) Shoulders: I will try; they haven't been in my focus yet.
2) feet/knees: that's really difficult and will probably take some more time, though it is in my view!
3) Spacing: Guess I will start with a real rope to get this straight. And I find this dancing on a razor's edge between not crossing the legs and keeping a closer stance (one of my first feedbacks I got). So the rope will definitely be a help.

With your consent (will wait for your reply), I would like to copy your advice into the thread, so others may profit from it as well.

Darth Sabre"