Some more sabering from Arkanus

[Darth_Arkanus]

Hi everyone!

I'm posting a couple of videos here, one of Soresu and one of Shii-Cho. There was actually going to be a Makashi one as well, but the INSTANT it was uploaded some ~@"$%*& (insert profanity here) filed a dispute about the sound track and youtube blocked it, so I deleted that video. Honestly, I wonder why I BOTHER sometimes!!!

Anyway, one of these is just some VERY basic Soresu exercises that I've just started practising, and the other is a Shii-Cho improvised Dulon, using multiple directions and direction changing.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZ8ICFj-lKw" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZ8ICFj-lKw</a>

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjTPI3yDU90" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjTPI3yDU90</a>

[Darth_Arkanus]

Helps if I post the right damned video really, DOESN'T IT?!

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kfywr3nIdFU" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kfywr3nIdFU</a>

[Master Venturous]

Your Shii Cho looks very good and polished. I can tell you have been practicing the various strikes quite extensively, so well done to you. Nice improvisation as well.

[Darth_Arkanus]

Your Shii Cho looks very good and polished. I can tell you have been practicing the various strikes quite extensively, so well done to you. Nice improvisation as well.

Thanks, I really appreciate the praise. I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out, especially as it wasn't worked out ahead of time.

[Darth Nonymous]

Nice work. Next time, just delete or replace the music in your Youtube editor.

[Darth_Arkanus]

Nice work. Next time, just delete or replace the music in your Youtube editor.

I tried it with the sound deleted, and it just seemed odd. Trouble is not having much of a selection (read as NO selection) of backing tracks to choose from that I know youtube won't get upset about.

I guess the TPLA ones must be custom originals.

I'm glad you like what I've done. That's praise indeed.

[Darth_Arkanus]

OK, tried again with the Makashi video, and same problem. Seems like it's some kind of checking thing on youtube. SOOOOO............I've gone cheesy with the youtube track suggestions! lol

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSD-7m21j6U" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSD-7m21j6U</a>

(if this doesn't work yet, check back in a little while)

[Master Artorius Vidnyl]

Your focus and control continue to increase. You're doing a good job keeping up with the work and focusing on the advice you're getting! Keep it up!!

[Darth_Arkanus]

Your focus and control continue to increase. You're doing a good job keeping up with the work and focusing on the advice you're getting! Keep it up!!

Thanks Master, doing the best i can & feel like I'm slowly getting it. Even Makashi suddenly gave a revelation this morning; relating to blocking from the moon guards & manipulating your opponent's blade to allow a counter. Am i right in thinking that's called "catching" their blade?

[Darth Sabre]

Hey, Arkanus!

I really like your Shii Cho Video. Thumbs up!

[GrumpyBadger]

Darth Arkanus,

you continue to impress.  your Shii-Cho looks very polished now.   I gave you points for that and for the cheesy disco SWarsy music with Makashi, that'll teach youtube!

I only have once concern for you as for your free form, which may come up in dueling.  You seem to be getting your self into a pattern of sorts on certain moves.  You seem to thrust, then a full sweeping attack on area 2.  You also seem to enjoy sweeping the legs while stepping back.  I noticed that both on your 7-27 video and your 7-30 video.  Just something to be aware of, as it's something we all need to focus on regardless of experience.  But that's just it  watching those videos, and coming from someone who knows little within lightsabers but can see swordsmanship, you're really coming along well and starting to really only need to work on things we always need to work on.  Your cuts, the sweeps, the control and the footwork are all coming along very nicely.  For advice on the particulars I'd follow the TPLA Masters and I'm not going to give you any because it's anything but my place to say.

awesome job, love watching your progress.  the effort you're putting in is showing in spades from my seat anyway.  Keep up the good work, wicked good showing!

[Master VorNach]

Thanks Master, doing the best i can & feel like I'm slowly getting it. Even Makashi suddenly gave a revelation this morning; relating to blocking from the moon guards & manipulating your opponent's blade to allow a counter. Am i right in thinking that's called "catching" their blade?

It's a word you can use. Typically when we talk about making contact on your opponents blade with your own then maintaining that contact (even if only briefly) we're talking about entering into the bind. The static position of the bind is where both blades are in equal opposition to each other and aside from training exercises you don't stay there. Once in the bind the goal is usually to attain a position of advantage to end the fight.