Samhain's quest to learn the angel roll

[Samhain138]

I've got a pile of recordings of my attempts at learning this move.  I'm still working on it, but I thought I'd go through and show it all here.

My first attempts with my staff

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

The goal was always to do it with a single blade saber, so this became my primary focus.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-epF6dKJj8" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-epF6dKJj8</a>

Progress started to happen at this point

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

So at this point I'm able to do the move, but I'm at a record of 3 in a row.  I moved on to a longer 36 inch blade on my Sentinel.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taiuMwNz1PM" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taiuMwNz1PM</a>

Then I learned how challenging this move can be in the dark.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yghzeklN0Rc" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yghzeklN0Rc</a>

[Samhain138]

(Reached the embed limit)

I managed to pull of 5 in a row at this point, but I haven't got video of it.  I'm still not hitting it consistently.  I'm at this point trying to figure out cool ways to combo into it.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spBoUqUbfv0" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spBoUqUbfv0</a>

And if you're still watching, thanks! Lol. As you can see, I'm still working on it.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mZW9Azlp_4" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mZW9Azlp_4</a>

[Lady Agana Kath]

Thanks for posting Sam, its neat to see your progression. Gives the rest of us hope to possibly try coming close to your spinning  

[TheDutchman]

Thanks for posting Sam, its neat to see your progression. Gives the rest of us hope to possibly try coming close to your spinning  

LAK is right: outstanding work, Sam.  Seeing your progress is an excellent motivator to--if nothing else--try 

Having said that: you have incredible spinning skills 

[BatMike90]

Thanks for posting Sam, its neat to see your progression. Gives the rest of us hope to possibly try coming close to your spinning  

Agreed. It actually gave me motivation to actually learn technique over just random swinging.

[Samhain138]

I appreciate the positive feedback.  I think it's important to show where you've failed and not to just show where you've succeeded at doing something.  If you'd have told me two years ago when I started out doing this stuff I'd come this far with it, I'd never believe you 😆

[Master Resolute]

great progression vid's! Your a quick learner. Keep at it my friend!

[Samhain138]

So I'm using a 36 blade now and I'm not hitting myself in the head or launching the saber across the yard like I was.  I think that counts as progress.  Also I'm able to pull it off with different hilts.

I will continue to practice this move until I'm able to hit it every time on command.  I can't remember the last thing that gave me so much trouble.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHhJjq_FEPo&amp;feature=youtu.be" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHhJjq_FEPo&amp;feature=youtu.be</a>

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk5q07gvbb0" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk5q07gvbb0</a>

[Darth Logos]

Impressive. Most impressive.

One question....is this called an angel roll or angle roll?

[Samhain138]

Angel

[Taegin Roan]

Impressive. Most impressive.

One question....is this called an angel roll or angle roll?

Angel like an inhabitant of one of the moons of Iego.

[Darth Logos]

Angel

Thanks for the clarification. Again, excellent work. I don't care what Taegin says about you.

[Samhain138]

The move is typically done with a staff, but the single saber version looks so much cooler in my opinion.  You have to give it a second look because it doesn't seem possible.  I'm not s huge fan of the style but this is the sort of move I've needed to finish a single saber sequence as sort of a cherry on top.

[Darth Logos]

The move is typically done with a staff, but the single saber version looks so much cooler in my opinion.  You have to give it a second look because it doesn't seem possible.  I'm not s huge fan of the style but this is the sort of move I've needed to finish a single saber sequence as sort of a cherry on top.

It does at that, considering that the balance is completely different than a staff. I kinda kept looking to see if the blade touches you at all. I was hugely impressed that it did not.

I use to think this kind of thing was absolutely absurd, as it served no function in battle. But after a few years I came to the realization that it's psychological. It tells your opponent, "Look at my skill with this weapon. See how at one I am with it. Now imagine how I can use it to kill you and soil yourself."

[Samhain138]

It doesn't really serve any purpose other than to entertain, which is what I aim to do when I'm cosplaying.  That said, I've done pretty well in duels but the skill sets are mostly unrelated.  I'd even say it has the opposite effect, most people in saber clubs scoff at this stuff.