Saber Forum

Managed to get  a little bit of work in last night with just a few of us, nothing major. Im on the early shif tthis week and was already pretty tired. But we do have a few videos for your viewing pleasure.

First up, Will doing some freeform staff kata, smashing his imaginary droids (he really does have a hatred for them)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1AgAdB2x7A#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1AgAdB2x7A#ws)

Next Up, my turn at the staff, leaning heavily on some shii cho (this sucker is heavy, dominix v2 le staff, with 32" UEHG blades, i think it weighs more than my oak bo staff ...)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbloqXf9EFY#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbloqXf9EFY#ws)

Then we have will's sister/apprentice, the little sithling takes her first stab at a freeform kata...lol she needed some encouraging
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSF9VyNLO8g#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSF9VyNLO8g#ws)

Will with some djem so freeform
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytBb9FWLde0#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytBb9FWLde0#ws)

A bit of dueling (you can tell we were both tired)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3QOHFwvnGk#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3QOHFwvnGk#ws)

And lastly, myself with some free form shii cho/ataru. Still trying to get used to really throwing myself into the attacks for an ataru style, and letting my swings carry me into further attacks. However, as Master Nonymous has already pointed out to me this morning, my footwork is good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2k4XHlrlXM#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2k4XHlrlXM#ws)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2k4XHlrlXM#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2k4XHlrlXM#ws)

grr stupid embedding limits lol

Great videos man, thanks for posting!  It's always good to have some good contributions, so we can all learn from it.

Just curious, what saber was Will using in his Djem So freeform?  Was that your old yellow Dominix?

Also, his little sis has some good moves!  You should get her training on your new Ataru.

Hes actually using an orange dark arbiter, his first saber lol. I sold the dominix to Scott, whom we dont have a ton of videos of yet.

Lol, like i said in Jaqs video, you can tell will has been teaching her because a lot of those cuts are the same. Hopefully he starts working on her footwork soon, if she learns proper stances its going to stabilize everything a lot more.

Right now I think she is too concerned with not making a fool of herself lol.

Ah I see.  I know the camera turns colors funny sometimes, so I wasn't sure if it was red, orange, or yellow lol


Yeah freeform is actually really hard to get somebody to try.  My Padawan has a lot of trouble with it, and I think that tends to come down to two main things - lack of experience with the moves, and nervousness.  You get too concerned about the camera and how you look and you become rigid, and don't just let it happen.  It's a tough thing to get used to!

One thing i try to stress for freeform, is to just pretend your are killing droids or stormtroopers, its shadow-boxing essentially.

I can understand why people find it difficult and become self concious. Its not a problem Ive had personally, but it happens.

I've found it' soften very helpful for people to have some foundation with footwork and some simple techniques before they do free form swinging.
It provides them with a place to start from, directions to move in, stability and something to focus on aside from spectators or a camera.

That works too, unfortunately not everyone bothers to practice footwork no matter how much I stress it :-(

You should work on it with them. Start out all of your seasons with basics, footwork, basic solo concepts, and then move into freeform and dueling. Show them how much it means by focusing on it your class and as yourself. the reason we seek out instructors is for them to guide us and show us the way. Don't even do the stuff until everyone has run through the basic strikes, parries, and guards. Footwork drills can be paired into accelerations, which can intern be turned into dulon, freeform, to velocities and finally to dueling. If you do it like that, you will be teaching a real martial art and the skill they achieve will be able to be applied to anything they want.  Or whatever progression you feel like.

As an instructor, leading by example is the most powerful tool.

The second most powerful tool is letting them get hit on the head. They will learn to focus on footwork and basics more, I promise.  ;D But you guys don't wear protection so that option is out for you.

I hadnt really thought of myself as an instructor, but i guess with the green recruits i kinda am. Thats a scary thought.

Its okay i wont hit them on the head....but being a former soccer player....shin shots, even light ones hurt...

Lol i hope tract isnt reading this thread

Yep, in the absence of a professional teacher, you are it. Take the reigns, guide them. It is a responsibility, but  a rewarding one.

Aww crap, i really am obi wan....

well at least none of them are as over emotional as anakin was

Sometimes it's about motivation and the willingness to lead.
And sometimes one of the best ways to learn something is to teach it.
Remember, you have a collection of Resident Masters & other participants with background as teachers here to back you up.

Good point, light side points for logic. I'm going to have to start working on a set lesson plan maybe, like 20 min of specific basics. Footwork, moving while striking.

Now you have me thinking back to the early shotokan classes I took.

Jeez, I need to get my roomates some sabers so we can make vids like that. Those were awesome to watch.

Thanks, we try to take videos every couple of times we head out . Usually we spend 2-3 nights a week outside. And i try to do about 30 min of solo practice each night.

And right now im working on an ataru style for myself, its  slow going as i need space to do it, and its been raining 3-5 days a week lately where I live. Rather annoying really.

That and i cant practice on my lawn for a couple of weeks now, i just laid down a bunch of topsoild and reseeded it last night :-S