What Lightsaber Form Do You Favor?

[Jedijosh]

So something I learned today. I like my Guardian (heavy saber) with a 36" mid grade when dueling 3 or 4 people in an area where I can move in an ataru type form. However when facing my brother who is as good as me in a confined space I prefer an initiate v3 with a 36" mid grade and I'd probably more vaapad in that situation. So hope that helps in some small way.

[Master Nero Attoru]

So something I learned today. I like my Guardian (heavy saber) with a 36" mid grade when dueling 3 or 4 people in an area where I can move in an ataru type form. However when facing my brother who is as good as me in a confined space I prefer an initiate v3 with a 36" mid grade and I'd probably more vaapad in that situation. So hope that helps in some small way.

It makes sense, a larger space allows you to wield the saber in a way to generate a large amount of power to counter multiple opponents.  This is actually one of the canonical aspects of Ataru that holds true - the space requirement.  In a smaller, more restricted environment, you need to keep your movements much quicker and more controlled due to these limits.

[Master Lucien Kane]

Hmm I just had an idea for a video

[Darth_Arkanus]

I've had something of a rollercoaster recently, looking at things that I really hadn't thought possible before, so I just wanted to chime back in here and get some advice and opinions really.

I've always considered myself mainly Shii-Cho, cos' I want things simple, easy and straight-forward. I'm not a "flashy" person and I'm not terribly agile either.

N.B. before I continue it's worth pointing out that I have NEVER duelled with a saber. There's nobody around me who I can practice with so I have no idea how I'd be in a fight. The only experience of "sparring" I have comes from TKD and I absolutely HATED that aspect of the Martial Art. I cannot spar to save my life, nor can I do it in a calm way. I lose my temper a LOT and I'm just useless. Basically, I hate gettting hit....it REALLY winds me up!

Anyway, I'm getting off topic. The point I was trying to make is that this is all an academic and theoretical situation for me right now; which I don't see changing any time soon....unless or until I find someone to spar with.

I guess what I'm trying to ask here is what am I exactly? I incorporate moves into my sequences that are not basic Shii-Cho; examples of these might be - two-handed Moon Guards, minor vertical orbits, body spins (occasionally) etc. I don't have the Makashi reach and side aspect, the Soresu passivity or the Ataru acrobatic skill though. So what does that make me? It feels like a hotchpotch of just different, unrelated "stuff".

Before anyone says it too, I know the answer to the paragraph before last is "what am I? A beginner!".

[Jedijosh]

It makes sense, a larger space allows you to wield the saber in a way to generate a large amount of power to counter multiple opponents.  This is actually one of the canonical aspects of Ataru that holds true - the space requirement.  In a smaller, more restricted environment, you need to keep your movements much quicker and more controlled due to these limits.

Yes the other thing I think is that in the open space my brother can be one of the opponents but it's free for all, so he has to watch his back too. In the confined space it's just me and him so he can become an "Alorn berserker" which I still have trouble countering. Maybe I need to try more soresu in confined spaces because my other theory is I combine all three ataru, soresu, and Vaapad, to make a style of constant non flashy movement powered by emotion. Those are the two ways I see my fighting style right now. Maybe I can get a video up. I'd have to convince my brother to go up to the gym where we'd have room for a camera. But I think he'd like to film a duel between us. And maybe others. If others it would have to wait till around Christmas.

[Master Nero Attoru]

I've had something of a rollercoaster recently, looking at things that I really hadn't thought possible before, so I just wanted to chime back in here and get some advice and opinions really.

I've always considered myself mainly Shii-Cho, cos' I want things simple, easy and straight-forward. I'm not a "flashy" person and I'm not terribly agile either.

N.B. before I continue it's worth pointing out that I have NEVER duelled with a saber. There's nobody around me who I can practice with so I have no idea how I'd be in a fight. The only experience of "sparring" I have comes from TKD and I absolutely HATED that aspect of the Martial Art. I cannot spar to save my life, nor can I do it in a calm way. I lose my temper a LOT and I'm just useless. Basically, I hate gettting hit....it REALLY winds me up!

Anyway, I'm getting off topic. The point I was trying to make is that this is all an academic and theoretical situation for me right now; which I don't see changing any time soon....unless or until I find someone to spar with.

I guess what I'm trying to ask here is what am I exactly? I incorporate moves into my sequences that are not basic Shii-Cho; examples of these might be - two-handed Moon Guards, minor vertical orbits, body spins (occasionally) etc. I don't have the Makashi reach and side aspect, the Soresu passivity or the Ataru acrobatic skill though. So what does that make me? It feels like a hotchpotch of just different, unrelated "stuff".

Before anyone says it too, I know the answer to the paragraph before last is "what am I? A beginner!".

I tend to think of your true style being what you fall back on in a dueling scenario, so it's difficult to make a call here.  From everything you've submitted to TPLA, I find that your core is still Shii-Cho, but this seems like an obvious thing considering your particular point in your training.  I think once you progress farther and become comfortable with some of the concepts of each Form, you'll find yourself using a blend of these ideas... which is likely to carry a particular Form as a main point of focus.  For you I would predict either a Shii-Cho or Djem So type of approach, but I would certainly keep your mind open to other ideas.  Who knows, you may find you love Ataru after a bit of training!

[Darth_Arkanus]

I tend to think of your true style being what you fall back on in a dueling scenario, so it's difficult to make a call here.  From everything you've submitted to TPLA, I find that your core is still Shii-Cho, but this seems like an obvious thing considering your particular point in your training.  I think once you progress farther and become comfortable with some of the concepts of each Form, you'll find yourself using a blend of these ideas... which is likely to carry a particular Form as a main point of focus.  For you I would predict either a Shii-Cho or Djem So type of approach, but I would certainly keep your mind open to other ideas.  Who knows, you may find you love Ataru after a bit of training!

Yes, I think you're right. It's too early to really know what is going to happen, I only know what I have an interest in, and which forms I'm particularly interested in. My preferences and prejudices are based largely on my bulk and immobility, but that may change....who knows?

I do feel like I will be Djem So, eventually, though.

[Jedijosh]

It makes sense, a larger space allows you to wield the saber in a way to generate a large amount of power to counter multiple opponents.  This is actually one of the canonical aspects of Ataru that holds true - the space requirement.  In a smaller, more restricted environment, you need to keep your movements much quicker and more controlled due to these limits.

Yeah. I hope to be able to refine my technique more. Cause facing off against three or more 8-10 year olds is different from facing off against the same number of opponents who are the same size.

[Master Nero Attoru]

Yeah. I hope to be able to refine my technique more. Cause facing off against three or more 8-10 year olds is different from facing off against the same number of opponents who are the same size.

Certainly, and also much different from sparring multiple opponents with combat experience, especially ones who know how best to exploit their advantage!  The only reason I've maintained success in these situations in the past is that I tend to be lucky enough to face inexperienced opponents.  The one time I did so against Master Artorius and a friend of mine, it was VERY difficult, and that was with only one experienced swordsman.

[Darth_Arkanus]

Certainly, and also much different from sparring multiple opponents with combat experience, especially ones who know how best to exploit their advantage!  The only reason I've maintained success in these situations in the past is that I tend to be lucky enough to face inexperienced opponents.  The one time I did so against Master Artorius and a friend of mine, it was VERY difficult, and that was with only one experienced swordsman.

As a total aside this to me is what makes the fact that Sith are frequently shown taking on multiple well-trained Jedi adversaries, and either holding their own or winning, all the more incredible. The Canon answer must be that it is what they train for....though with the rule of two in place, how is a mystery. lol

[Jedijosh]

As a total aside this to me is what makes the fact that Sith are frequently shown taking on multiple well-trained Jedi adversaries, and either holding their own or winning, all the more incredible. The Canon answer must be that it is what they train for....though with the rule of two in place, how is a mystery. lol

There are always sith followers like General Grievious.

[Widdlskudz]

Makashi, it is THE only option when dueling with jedi. As a sith jedi expect me to be ruthless and full of anger. But the art of the saber is just that, an art. Being that i am classically trained in olympic fencing, it comes naturally and is honestly enhanced by the open ended-ness of lightsaber dueling. Considering there are less rules in a force battle than there are in a saber fencing bout.

[Jedijosh]

True but part of this is real world applications

[Jammo]

So this has been a thing for me for a long time now... my form mutates in accordance with the weapon in hand. Anyone else tend to do this?

[Jedijosh]

So this has been a thing for me for a long time now... my form mutates in accordance with the weapon in hand. Anyone else tend to do this?

So something I learned today. I like my Guardian (heavy saber) with a 36" mid grade when dueling 3 or 4 people in an area where I can move in an ataru type form. However when facing my brother who is as good as me in a confined space I prefer an initiate v3 with a 36" mid grade and I'd probably more vaapad in that situation. So hope that helps in some small way.

Yes in fact here is my own post about my own forms.