Light saber technique...to spin or not to spin...

[Xanedan]

My personal opinion on this subject runs towards the fantasy we are attempting to emulate.  Light saber combat, as demonstrated in the recent movies, games and T.V. programming is a heavily stylized, not entirely practical thing.  I've referred to what I do as "cinematic dueling" because while not choreographed, it involves flourishes and fancy strikes deliberately aimed to not score a hit, mixed with actual threatening attacks.  All in the interest of looking good for the camera.  It demands two people with this rule set in mind, and a pretty good awareness of what the other is going to do.  I've yet to be able to replace my sparring partner from a few months back, because of these limitations.

I hold no illusion that a lot of what I do is beyond stupid pursuant to the goal of attacking someone with an analogue of a real blade.  I would argue that to most people who aren't knowledgeable about combat techniques that it tends to look "cooler". 

That's just me personally, though.  I think as long as you're having fun with a light saber in your hands, you're winning.  It's good to have goals, and to attempt to learn to be more effective towards those goals - but whatever puts a smile on your face, it's hard to judge negatively for.

[Master Rel]

(stands up and claps...that meaningful slow clap...this, yes this is spot on)

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31M_MdSVxV8" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31M_MdSVxV8</a>

[Master VorNach]

If you do not have your arm connected to your odd that shock is going to start to tire your arm at the very least. Go up against heavy hitters like VorNach and myself, and we will likely knock the weapon out of your hand. Happens all the time.

I'm fairly certain we have some video of this happening to me, though I blame a slippery grip from my gloves 
(Maybe a blooper reel would be worthwhile at some point).

4. In sword play, the weapon doesn't actually go behind the back. That is an illusion from the stance, proper turning, and good control...  The secret is-it's not behind the back.

It can be very valuable to shoot some video your self practicing this, so you can see what you're doing. Your proprioceptive perception of what you are doing may not line up with what you should actually be doing.

Additionally spinning, with good form, can be useful from a developmental perspective. Start your circles big and slow to acquire good form and define an appropriate range of motion.

To actually answer the question, yes I will spin the sword sometimes, where it's appropriate to the technique. Most often it's not a full 360 circle though.

[jeff275]

I have yet to spar with sabers, but off and on for the past few years I have sparred with bokken and shinai. Personally because of my area of study (books and anything else) I don't do much of a flourish. The most I will do is a simple 360 in my main hand before a fight starts to loosen the wrist a bit. Not to step on anyone's toes here, again just personal opinion, I find that flourishes and spins in combat to be wasted movements. The only moves I want to make are attacks and blocks if need be. I usually try to end a duel as quickly as possible.

[Darth Nonymous]

This is a great video showing why longsword uses the spin training. There is bit of training and lots of free play.
The spin can be used in combat to pretty remarkable effect.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7aXtzf7-Lk" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7aXtzf7-Lk</a>

[BenPass]

This is a great video showing why longsword uses the spin training. There is bit of training and lots of free play.
The spin can be used in combat to pretty remarkable effect.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7aXtzf7-Lk#ws

Oh how I wish I could train in that! Just watching that makes me wish I lived somewhere else!

[Darth Nonymous]

Oh how I wish I could train in that! Just watching that makes me wish I lived somewhere else!

VorNach's Djem So is heavily based in this. Keep an eye out.

[BenPass]

VorNach's Djem So is heavily based in this. Keep an eye out.

I'll have to do that!

[Master VorNach]

Oh how I wish I could train in that! Just watching that makes me wish I lived somewhere else!

In the meanwhile is this group anywhere near you?
http://novascotia.aemma.org/

[Solinus]

Oh my gosh! Those guys were BRUTAL. At one point, at about 4:00, one contestant actually takes a swing at his opponent.

I liked the training academy they went through. Would love to see something like that here.

[Darth Nonymous]

Oh my gosh! Those guys were BRUTAL. At one point, at about 4:00, one contestant actually takes a swing at his opponent.

I liked the training academy they went through. Would love to see something like that here.

Yep, that's fair game in this arena.

This is why we wear safety gear. We can go at real combat speed and not worry about a slip here or there. Wear protective gear when sparring, period.

[Master Lucien Kane]

Perfect example of why these techniques have been around for CENTURIES.... They work really well when employed properly.

Anyways, that was some gorgeous training there... Wish I could find a school like that around here. I'd totally go for it.

[Master Nero Attoru]

Ah spinning... from what I've seen on here and other forums, it's a discussion that always has people divided.  Some (most notably Lucien) maintain that it can be useful if applied properly, while others regard it as flowery.

Me personally?  I think it CAN be utilized in real combat if the practitioner is skilled enough.  Do I use it in that way?  Nope.  I spin and I flourish when I'm just showing off, but when it comes down to swordsmanship... well, I'm a fencer.  We don't have flourishes or spins in fencing, only clean and precise bladework.  The very idea of spinning a blade in that sport is absurd, as your opponent would score a touch on you before you could even attempt to react.

[Master VorNach]

Oh my gosh! Those guys were BRUTAL. At one point, at about 4:00, one contestant actually takes a swing at his opponent.

Yes, this is a comprehensive martial art. While probably the most visual aspect these days is the longsword most schools that are teaching this include work on the rest of the arsenal as well: Poleaxe, spear, dagger and unarmed combat.

[Master VorNach]

I think it CAN be utilized in real combat if the practitioner is skilled enough. 
...
The very idea of spinning a blade in that sport is absurd, as your opponent would score a touch on you before you could even attempt to react.

Not spinning in traditional sport fencing? Absolutely. It's a different set of tools and a rule set that limit a lot of opportunities but are very well suited for the setting.

If we go back to the idea of spinning being a developmental process to learn control and an understanding of how and your weapon interact then there is a clear purpose for it.
Also, while fencing is not a good setting for it there are others where spinning, when as you said the combatant is skilled, where it's appropriate and even a valid technique.

Try this first video and take a look at about 19 seconds to about 21 seconds (yes, it goes by pretty quickly)

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ln94E9AGYTc" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ln94E9AGYTc</a>

That is the double zwerchau, one of of the basic techniques of German longsword.

If you go back to the video Nonymous posted and watch the bout which occurs at about 01:45 to about  01:54 you'll see it applied in a more free form setting. For that matter if you watch enough of Nonymous and I sparring you'll see me *trying* to perform it correctly (and occasionally succeeding).

I think there's a distinction that is not always made clear in the forum between spinning for a visual effect (flourishing) and spinning for practical application (attacks and deflections performed in an arc). 
The first few attacks performed in the video I posted (starting at about 11 seconds) are attacks that are traveling in an arc, almost half of a full 360degree circle.