Basic Art of the Sword and Light saber Combat

As I have begun delving into the art of the sword, here are a few links dealing with basic swordfighting. The first is about Kendo, and is slightly more comprehensive. The second is about European Longsword fighting (mainly the German Tradition). The third is a link to Terra Prime Lightsaber Academy, as it has good resources for learning the basics of light saber combat. If anyone has other links they would like to share, that would be awesome

http://www.sword-buyers-guide.com/support-files/jsa-ebook.pdf

http://www.sword-buyers-guide.com/sword-fighting-schools.html

https://sites.google.com/site/terraprimelightsaberacademy/

Also, if anyone just wants to discuss the art of the sword & lightsaber and give tips on training, that would be great!

check out Cold Steel. Look at their plastic training swords. I use them all the time. I highly recommend them.

baru wrote: check out Cold Steel. Look at their plastic training swords. I use them all the time. I highly recommend them.

I'll second this, but they aren't typical plastic. They're some kind of seriously hardcore synthetic. You can scratch it, but breaking it is ridiculously difficult. They have give and bend, which makes them really useful. I have one of their walking canes made out of the same stuff (the blackthorn reproduction), and it is legitimately useful as a weapon if necessary, due to the way it transmits force.

As for the OP, I was a fencer in college and have dabbled in many weapon styles, but never settled on learning one very in-depth. I can use any blade presented to me as a tool, but as a coherent system of martial training, I'm lacking.

The Jian has always struck me as very similar to the Lightsabre:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jian

Yeah it does, it looks like an interesting sword. I like it

For me the practical application of Star Wars lightsaber symbology translates most usefully to understanding how it might be advantageous to mindfulness and decision making to movement more broadly. I use the Forms to represent application of mind to best wield of the Force to enable best action, instead of the common approach to use drilled sets of kata.... which is the popular use of the various Form's.

Form III - Spherical Coordinate System (defensive circle). This is the ideal defensive technique for multiple opponents/objectives and open spaces.

Form IV - Polar Coordinate System (offensive projection). Suited to a single opponent/objective and open spaces or when speed of movement is required.

Form V - Cartesian Coordinate System (specialized offensive). This Form can be used defensively or offensively but is best suited to confined spaces or who are otherwise limited in movement, or have added strength in direct strikes. It's weakness is multiple opponents/objectives but this is assumed to be a reduced likelihood in confined spaces.

Form VI - Cylindrical Coordinate System (specialized defensive). It is a reduced version of Soresu, designed for confined spaces. This Form suited dual wielding and multiple opponents/objectives because its tighter movements ensuring greater control and its speed and flow.

Form's I and II for me are training forms with specific approaches that then translate to having some utility in dueling, but do not provide the possibilities of the dedicated Form Styles. These two are close to being set kata, but only because they are limited approaches.

A few years ago I went through Episode III and tried to summarize who was doing what according to that model of Form. It might have a few mistakes, particularly the opening stances. Perhaps try it yourself before comparing it to mine and let me know where I'm wrong!!;

I studied the jian for several years. It is a lovely and valuable art.

If you are interested in studying the sword, I also reccomend Kali. Filipino martial arts schools can be tough to find, but it is worth the sweat and bruises.

Adder wrote: A few years ago I went through Episode III and tried to summarize who was doing what according to that model of Form. It might have a few mistakes, particularly the opening stances. Perhaps try it yourself before comparing it to mine and let me know where I'm wrong!!;

I must be dense, I hadn't thought of the lightsabre in metaphorical terms... Makes sense.

I have not closely analyzed these movies, but presume the lightsabre work is theatrically-based sets... (the assumption might yet make an a**.. of me...)?

Theatrical sword-work is typically about attacking the other weapon as opposed to attacking the opponent...

For "realistic" study of swordplay, I find HEMA practitioners are very interesting. People like John Clements have worked quite hard at "reclaiming" the Blade:

The ARMA organization
Reclaiming the Blade

Cabur Senaar wrote: I studied the jian for several years. It is a lovely and valuable art.

If you are interested in studying the sword, I also reccomend Kali. Filipino martial arts schools can be tough to find, but it is worth the sweat and bruises.

I just touched the surface of the Jian. I learned 1 form but none of the 2 person sets. It is such a nuanced weapon, the scholar's blade...

Kali was always of interest but I haven't so far had the time to indulge...