Musings on Djem So

[Master VorNach]

Thanks to the generous efforts of Master Nonymous some of the pieces of Djem So I've been pulling together have been TerraPrimed; given a lot of polish and cleaned up the presentation so it's more clear.

[Bazzard]

Dude.  Dude.  DUDE.

I've been DYING to see someone apply WMA/Longsword techniques into Djem So; it's something I'd been experimenting with myself for a long time (I've been fooling around with lightsaber Forms over on the Saberwars forums for a few years now), but never really felt I had the experience or expertise to really be able to contribute.  So to see someone who's done their homework and can really express both the finesse and ferocity of the Longsword into Djem So is just.........just.........damn, dude, you have really made my day.

I'll try to have some more substantial notes and comments when I'm finished weeping with joy.

[Master VorNach]

Dude.  Dude.  DUDE.

I've been DYING to see someone apply WMA/Longsword techniques into Djem So; it's something I'd been experimenting with myself for a long time (I've been fooling around with lightsaber Forms over on the Saberwars forums for a few years now), but never really felt I had the experience or expertise to really be able to contribute.  So to see someone who's done their homework and can really express both the finesse and ferocity of the Longsword into Djem So is just.........just.........damn, dude, you have really made my day.

I'll try to have some more substantial notes and comments when I'm finished weeping with joy.

Thanks for the kind words Bazzard, it's motivating to read such enthusiasm.
There's more on the way too.

[Oramac]

Haven't seen much activity in here for a bit.  I will say I'm very interested in this Form as well.  And I'm glad for the knowledge behind the technique that uses the back side of the blade on an upward stroke (the name escapes me).  I'd always kinda wondered if there was a more effective way to go from the end of a downward slash to bringing the blade back up besides just returning to a guard position.

[Master VorNach]

Haven't seen much activity in here for a bit.  I will say I'm very interested in this Form as well. 

Funny you should bring this up. I just finished planning out the next Acceleration to highlight concepts around the use of the Fluid Riposte. I'm going to try and get some video shot in the next week for that.
If there is any other information you're interested in please ask. If it wasn't apparent by this thread alone I am quite happy to expound on these topics.

And I'm glad for the knowledge behind the technique that uses the back side of the blade on an upward stroke (the name escapes me).  I'd always kinda wondered if there was a more effective way to go from the end of a downward slash to bringing the blade back up besides just returning to a guard position.

Generally it's called a cut with the false or short edge.
There are a host of ways to move from lower guards / end points of downward cuts that involved using the long and short edge and various striking angles.
Watch for future tutorial videos for more examples.

[Oramac]

One other question that's probably incredibly simple.  All the videos and such I've seen for this Form (and most of the others, save for spins) seem to use predominately two-handed grips.  Is there ever a time when it would be beneficial to switch to a one-hand grip?  possibly for more reach or something?

[Master VorNach]

Is there ever a time when it would be beneficial to switch to a one-hand grip?  possibly for more reach or something?

The short answer is yes.
You can get more extension one handed, you can also present a smaller target area by turning more sideways.
There are also times where you could switch to a one hand grip to do so grappling-at-the-sword techniques, should you wind up that close to your opponent.

One of the things I've had percolating in my mind is 1 one-handed version of Djem So, which in my (not so very) copious spare time I'll eventually get down in video format.

[Master Nero Attoru]

The short answer is yes.
You can get more extension one handed, you can also present a smaller target area by turning more sideways.
There are also times where you could switch to a one hand grip to do so grappling-at-the-sword techniques, should you wind up that close to your opponent.

One of the things I've had percolating in my mind is 1 one-handed version of Djem So, which in my (not so very) copious spare time I'll eventually get down in video format.

I really look forward to seeing that.  It'll help me better integrate Djem So into my overall approach, which is currently much more Makashi focused.  Thanks VorNach!

[Oramac]

The short answer is yes.
You can get more extension one handed, you can also present a smaller target area by turning more sideways.
There are also times where you could switch to a one hand grip to do so grappling-at-the-sword techniques, should you wind up that close to your opponent.

One of the things I've had percolating in my mind is 1 one-handed version of Djem So, which in my (not so very) copious spare time I'll eventually get down in video format.

Thanks!  One-handed Djem So sounds really interesting as well.  Personally I'm more curious about the feasibility of combining one- and two-handed techniques.  I've found that, at least for me, some of the techniques seem to flow more smoothly if I shift from 2 to 1 handed and back again.  Maybe it's just because I'm tall and lanky or something. 

[Master VorNach]

Personally I'm more curious about the feasibility of combining one- and two-handed techniques.  I've found that, at least for me, some of the techniques seem to flow more smoothly if I shift from 2 to 1 handed and back again.  Maybe it's just because I'm tall and lanky or something. 

Would you be willing to post some video examples?

[Oramac]

Would you be willing to post some video examples?

Sure.  Mainly it seems to be on the transition from the Falling Avalanche through the Quiescent Guard and into a Trailing Guard.   Its definitely more noticable on the right side (I'm right-handed if it matters) than the left. 

My right shoulder is kinda screwy from pitching all through little league and such.  That might be the issue. 

[Oramac]

Well sadly, my phone's battery bit the dust so no video tonight.  I'll try to get some tomorrow once it's all charged and such. 

[Master VorNach]

Well sadly, my phone's battery bit the dust so no video tonight.  I'll try to get some tomorrow once it's all charged and such. 

At your convenience.
The specific example you reference I would suggest keeping both hands on the hilt. You're driving down with a fair bit of power and the intent is to drive through/displace whatever gets in the way. Taking a hand of the hilt in mid-motion could introduce some instability in the strike. However looking at what you're doing will be helpful, when you have a chance.

[Oramac]

It's not so much during the strike as it is after the strike when I go to transition to the next guard position.  I feel like my shoulder doesn't rotate into it like it should.  I'm not sure it'll show up in a video but I'll get some video tonight hopefully.

[Oramac]

Got a little work in tonight.  As I said in the Saberfit Challenge, I'm going to work on my phone stand so you can see my feet as well.

At about 40 seconds there's 2 spots once I hit the end of the downward swing that my shoulder pops a bit.  Can't really see it in the video except that there's a slight hesitation. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9_7AbbuZ_Q&feature=plcp