Saber Flourish Gif

they can also be used to release excess momentum should a strike miss....ie. you strike from left shoulder towards right hip, the blade gets blocked of deflected you can use the flourish to bring the blade to bear again...taking the momentum of the blade and redirecting it....

when i do flourishes i tend to use a heavy blade for the wrist strengthening...but when i spar i tend to keep the flourishes to a minimum....usually only using them in the above manner...

Jestor wrote: I've had no weapons training, but, I've often though that "flourishes" (is that a word?) Help to reset the weapon to a "ready position...

Same with swords, while the first GIF showed you swinging it on both sides of your body, when its across your body in the downward swing, with force behind it, it could parry an overhead swing from an opponent, right?

They can also be used to release excess momentum should a strike miss

Those are good points actually. I hadn't thought of it that way. Not that Star Wars has the most realistic sword fighting, but I've noticed that Anakin uses that flourish fairly often, noticeably against Count Dooku in their second encounter. Then of course there's a part of the fight between Anakin and Obi-wan where they are standing on the table, both twirling their blade the same way at the same time (some people call that flourish the Obi-Ani). :side:

I am/was a martial artist and teacher, and have a pretty good base knowledge...

When blocking a strike, you hand does not strike and retract, but rather continues the forward momentum, in a circular motion so the hand is ready for the next strike...

I'm just talking...

As I said, looked good!

Jestor wrote: I've had no weapons training, but, I've often though that "flourishes" (is that a word?) Help to reset the weapon to a "ready position...

I think of flourishes as exaggerated circular movements? Circular movements are efficient, flourishes consuming more time and allow an opponent to predict your moves and find openings.

Jestor wrote: I am/was a martial artist and teacher, and have a pretty good base knowledge...

When blocking a strike, you hand does not strike and retract, but rather continues the forward momentum, in a circular motion so the hand is ready for the next strike...

I'm just talking...

As I said, looked good!

I actually spent a great deal of time visualizing these paths and the most efficient path back to my opponent. Most of my amateur duels last less than five moves.

JLSpinner wrote: I actually spent a great deal of time visualizing these paths and the most efficient path back to my opponent. Most of my amateur duels last less than five moves.

yep...that....

i always aim for the quickest finish possible, i've pulled off a couple of 1 move and 2 move finishes, but the difference in skill levels was obvious....of course a lot can be said for speed and surprise