Reverse grip (shien?)

[Faa-Yal Dragu]

yo - i really want to try out reverse grip, have tried to do research, but not found alot on it, just one video. i have tried to mess around with it a little, and found that strikes are a little limited, and blocking is nigh on impossible. anyone got any ideas? i think it is lumped in with Djem-so as it leaves little room for blocking so is mainly focused on attack, and can be a little off putting. any input into this would be great...

[Kham-Ryn Kurios]

yo - i really want to try out reverse grip, have tried to do research, but not found alot on it, just one video. i have tried to mess around with it a little, and found that strikes are a little limited, and blocking is nigh on impossible. anyone got any ideas?

Yeah, DON'T STOP MOVING.

I duel wield reverse always with two initiate bladed sabers, so I can compensate awkward blocking with the extra blade but there are time when it is just better to move out of the way.

[Faa-Yal Dragu]

yeah, dont stay still. just been reading 5 pages about reverse grip from jan - because i did not search the forum first - duh!
i do intend to just concentrate on reverse grip from now on, i am rather adept at standard grip and switching to and from reverse grip, so if i become adept at this then i will be formidable... (hopefully).

[MrJediMan]

Shien grip isn't all about attacking and blocking, while gripping in reverse. sometimes you will have to switch to standard grip quickly, to get that one critical hit or block. Also remember its more about body movement. but most importantly Just keep practicing. There are also several videos about Shien on youtube.

[Waxman]

My only recommendation is to go fast, hard, and not wait for your opponent to react.

I feel reverse grip is just so incredibly difficult and awkward to use as an effective and consistent dueling style on its own that to compensate a user needs to rely more on blunt agility than actual strength or even saber technique.  There just doesn't seem to be enough support to block some of those blows supported by a two-hand or even single-hand grip.

I'd say reverse is good for going in really fast and getting in a quick hit before your opponent can do anything.

Now, duel-wielding, that is, a reverse grip with the other hand using normal grip, I have found, however, can be a very deadly and effective way to duel with, mainly because you have options and you can do some rather incredible parry's.

I'm not much a fan of reverse grip unless I were using maybe a knife or if I wanted to act like a ninja, which isn't often sadly.

[Master Lucien Kane]

I'll try and get a video together of how I make reverse grip work for me.

[Xanedan]

If dual-wielding I'll reverse grip one saber, or none - usually reverse my weaker hand, parry main hand and strike quick with the off hand.  The benefits I notice are mostly psychological, it's hard to read the strike, but only if you don't consider the limited window in which a reverse grip blow can register.  

Other benefits, it's fast and looks cool.  

[Faa-Yal Dragu]

I'll try and get a video together of how I make reverse grip work for me.

if you could do that it would be epic-ly helpful. and probably look cool to boot!

[Master Nero Attoru]

If dual-wielding I'll reverse grip one saber, or none - usually reverse my weaker hand, parry main hand and strike quick with the off hand.  The benefits I notice are mostly psychological, it's hard to read the strike, but only if you don't consider the limited window in which a reverse grip blow can register.  

Other benefits, it's fast and looks cool.  

That's what I gather from using reverse grip Shien - the strange angles of the strikes make them difficult to read and react to.  Apart from that, it's rather difficult to use... perhaps not the best choice (especially to start out with) for dueling.

Of course, as Lucien will show you, it's one of those things that if you work HARD at, you can make effective.

[Master Lucien Kane]

That's what I gather from using reverse grip Shien - the strange angles of the strikes make them difficult to read and react to.  Apart from that, it's rather difficult to use... perhaps not the best choice (especially to start out with) for dueling.

Of course, as Lucien will show you, it's one of those things that if you work HARD at, you can make effective.

That and sometimes you have to change up your goals a little bit to make things work for you... For instance, Master Attoru, I hope you don't mind if I use you as an example....

Master Attoru is a fencer, ergo I'm already dreading reverse grip against him, because of the fact that he knows his stuff on distance (reach) and timing (rhythm) however if I were going to use reverse grip on him I would change up my goals... My goal would not be to play the reach game with him. If you try to play Master Attoru's game you will lose, because you are using a different game piece. I would drop back draw him in and make him try to use his reach to end the fight... which is what he will do anyways if he is using his fencing experience. Then I will use the reverse grip, and my knowledge of body changes to move in and get within striking distance for the reverse grip.... It's a dangerous game to play because it sounds all well and good and all, but Master Attoru can and WILL move to gain the advantage, which is easier for him because he has the reach. It will all make sense when I get the video done.

That being said I will show two different methods of reverse grip... one will be strictly reverse grip... the other will switch between a standard grip and a reverse grip.

[Master Nero Attoru]

That and sometimes you have to change up your goals a little bit to make things work for you... For instance, Master Attoru, I hope you don't mind if I use you as an example....

Master Attoru is a fencer, ergo I'm already dreading reverse grip against him, because of the fact that he knows his stuff on distance (reach) and timing (rhythm) however if I were going to use reverse grip on him I would change up my goals... My goal would not be to play the reach game with him. If you try to play Master Attoru's game you will lose, because you are using a different game piece. I would drop back draw him in and make him try to use his reach to end the fight... which is what he will do anyways if he is using his fencing experience. Then I will use the reverse grip, and my knowledge of body changes to move in and get within striking distance for the reverse grip.... It's a dangerous game to play because it sounds all well and good and all, but Master Attoru can and WILL move to gain the advantage, which is easier for him because he has the reach. It will all make sense when I get the video done.

That being said I will show two different methods of reverse grip... one will be strictly reverse grip... the other will switch between a standard grip and a reverse grip.

That sound quite correct!  As you said though, it's probably easier to show... I caught it all but some people need the visual aspect to really comprehend it.

I so wish you, Artorius and I could get together and make a video.  Our three different methodologies would be awesome to match up, and show different aspects of lightsaber combat.

[Xanedan]

I would love to watch that video.

[Master Lucien Kane]

That sound quite correct!  As you said though, it's probably easier to show... I caught it all but some people need the visual aspect to really comprehend it.

I so wish you, Artorius and I could get together and make a video.  Our three different methodologies would be awesome to match up, and show different aspects of lightsaber combat.

I have a feeling that would be quite an epic day to say the least... If you ever decide you want to take a vacation out this way I would love to meet up... Likewise if I ever make it out that way (I never do) lol but if I do I will be sure to hit you guys up!

That being said, I may be in Texas from the May 26 to June 17th time frame, if anyone wants to meet up for a duel. It's tentative, but my parents want to fly my family out there so they can see the youngling.

[ZequarX]

That being said, I may be in Texas from the May 26 to June 17th time frame, if anyone wants to meet up for a duel. It's tentative, but my parents want to fly my family out there so they can see the youngling.

Definitely, LK. I live near Dallas man, so just lemme know, and I'd love to meet up!

[Master Lucien Kane]

Definitely, LK. I live near Dallas man, so just lemme know, and I'd love to meet up!

Cool I'm originally from Buffalo... (two hours south of Dallas) so I'd be more than happy to meet up if I make it out that way... Which I will eventually have to do.