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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2007 22:41:25 GMT
So, I was wondering if anyone has had experience vs. a Tai Chi swordsman. I am training in it now, but haven't gotten as far as the sword sets yet, but it seems to be very controlled; at least on places like YouTube, german longswordsman seem very intent on where their blade is going, while Tai Chi seems to be very aware of the entire blade at all times. My master tells me they focus is on the sash dangling from the hilt, and try to keep it as still as possible. I noticed that their blade tips do not waver much; the entire blade is a focused movement....
Any thoughts or experiences duelling against one of these people?
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Post by tajima on Jun 1, 2007 12:15:10 GMT
Never duelled one, but I have heard alot of theories about them. The ones with bells are insane. I have seen a visitor to our dojo, with a live bell, cut goza into 4 clean pieces without one jingling the bell. Eh?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2007 22:44:01 GMT
You said Tai Chi SET. Does that mean you are fighting two-sword? I have had some limited experiance fighting this form. I have had a lot more fighting against it. Before I go on, I just want to be sure that we are on the same page. Confirm that you are fighting two-sword. If not, what is in your other hand?
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Post by rammstein on Jun 1, 2007 22:46:15 GMT
I have some experience polearm vs two swords as well as shield and sword against two swords. Although probably no where near tsafa, I'd like to help too!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2007 21:40:59 GMT
sorry for the delay guys, when saying sword set, I was refering to the set of moves with a sword - 108 standard moves, I'm not sure how many in the sword set - Some forms of tai chi have 54, others have only 32, I guess I'll have to see when I get there.....and I don't think it's a 2 handed sword - one empty hand. You've fought against it, but you never noticed?
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Post by rammstein on Jun 10, 2007 21:59:02 GMT
we meant two swords - one in each hand.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2007 16:33:59 GMT
Hi Sandman, with single sword distance is you main defense. He who controls the distance controls the fight. You want to use good foot work to move in and out of distance while staying balanced. This is balanced part is something I am still working on. It is very hard to stay balanced while attacking and not over commit your self to any one action.
As far as attacking with the blade goes, I don't want to mix you up too much with western methods. The Tai Chi sword is probably light enough so you can do a lot of tip work and using slices and cuts as follow ups when your thrusts fail. In my single sword style, I keep the blade in front of me so it is constantly on defense using the hilt and forte to do the blocking while attacking.
In cutting, I recommend leading the elbow in strikes while keeping it close in (for on-Side shots). This stresses the shoulder less during the wind up and maintains a better defense as the blade is in front of you for most of the strike. The impact also stress the elbow less.
In single sword combat, if you try to race the other person to hit him first, it will almost always result in double kills. In my book dead is dead. It does not mater if you killed the other guy if you are dead or maimed yourself. So before you attack, you must deal with the other blade first. Either beat it out of the way and attack or place you blade between you and the other person as you thrust. At all times you must defend while attacking. Of course the offhand can be used to too to set aside once you have successfully blocked a shot.
Of all the forms I practice, single sword is the hardest I think. It also develops good blade work that can be transfered to other forms.
So in summery, choose the timing of the attack from out of range, execute some combination of thrusts and cuts, and then get out of range to evaluate what just happened and plan you next attack or defend.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2007 6:27:35 GMT
tsafa - thanks, good stuff - I do know that the Tai Chi I'm studying at least is very defensive - when you step back you strike forward, etc. I don't know about the sword sets(moves) yet, but I'm thinking they're the same.... we meant two swords - one in each hand. Noone mentioned two swords man, I'm asking about a style of sword fighting that I will be training in soon, and just want to know if anyone's sparred against it. Obviously you haven't.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2007 11:55:45 GMT
Sandman, as you training develops be sure to come back and tell us what you learn.
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Post by rammstein on Jun 13, 2007 2:23:17 GMT
I know, mate, I know. I was just expanding on tsafa's offer, no need to get all touchy ....Someone needs a hug ;D
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2007 20:06:43 GMT
I have not trained in enough to get to the point where we have weapons, but there are a few good videos where they are explaining the purpose of the funny looking moves. Out of context it doesn't seem to make sense.
There are a lot of circular cuts and parries:
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2007 22:32:28 GMT
Interesting vid. Thanks for posting Kortoso. Post some more if you have showing a few other strikes and defences.
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