Interesting concept, the first two are pretty standard. Although, I disagree with #2. I don't understand #3 or #4 as how they would be "rules".
One thing to know about the TPLA Shii-Cho is it is based on military training regimens. Most of the ideas are fairly simple and direct.
A disagreeing opinion! Alright, now it's time for some growth!
I suppose a touch of context is in order. I am developing all my material for what is primarily a choreography group. The people that join are not signing up for martial arts lessons. There isn't that implicit understanding to train hard and push yourself. In fact, doing would likely kill our member count. If I can get them (collectively) to regularly come to both of the weekly practices and work for the full time, it is a bloody miracle. And, currently, none of them have ANY martial arts experience. So those super easy but critical lessons that you feel are basically flowing through your veins at this point, between your martial arts history and TPLA, are foreign concepts to them. Control your distance, Keep your back straight, Don't over extend, Don't tense your shoulders, Use your full arm and not just your wrist, Rotate with your hips, and so on...they (understandably) just don't know them and don't practice enough to build up the neural connections (muscle memory). And, at this time, we are still training new instructors aside from myself that can teach this, so we don't have the man power to give the individual attention they all need.
So the rules I set up above are for those people: simple things that guide their motions without needing their comprehension. Rule 3, in particular, is an excellent example. By telling them to aim with the leading elbow, it forces their body alignment to do an acceptable chamber for the following strike (whereas they would otherwise swing the sword from in front of their body like a small child whips a pool noodle around, using only their shoulders with stiff elbows/wrists). You say the first two are pretty standard, but a lot of my students may not even grasp the rationale behind #2 and why they keep falling over. Between Rule 3, 4, and 2, I hope that they are able to develop a "strong enough", stable, advancing offense (whereas a lot of them currently move like their torso, arms, and legs are all completely independent. There isn't a coordinated, body-wide effort). In that regard, I'm using SHii-Cho not only to teach them "how to use a lightsaber" but also "how to move your body". Or at least that is the objective.
That said, I would be eager to hear what you would think is more appropriate. For instance, why do you disagree with #2? I admit, I am hesitant to review TPLA's material on Shii-Cho for fear that it would overwhelm my own thoughts and I'd end up just reproducing your material (like I started to, before realizing what was happening, with Makashi). Darth (Master?) Nonymous, what critical rules would you make that someone could just count off on their hand and why? (Simplifications, obviously, but you have to start somewhere). I am extremely appreciative of your (and anyone from TPLA) insight.
