Jianquan or jian circles

I don't remember. It's been 5 years since I studied and I didn't practice on my own in the meantime...

The vertical circles (look like half a figure eight) are initiated with the wrist and should make an arc as long as the sword is. you want to practice moving the sword with as little arm movement as possible in that exercise.

The jian circles to the front should have the ability to become small of large so practice everything within that range. Start small and reel the sword clockwise, then counterclockwise. Than make them big circles and then back down to small.

I don't use the wrist to power them though, i use the left hip.

BTW practicing the circles in front of a narrow tree helps you keep the circles tight and gives you a target. It will help your form.

Yes.

Look at the video on this page:
www.ymaa.com/publishing/dvd/external/sword_fundamental_training

At :31 in the video you can see the jian circles done with waist movement. the waist generates the force. The wrist alone doesn't. This is how to correctly do the jian circles as I was taught it.

After that in the video, he shows the two-person version. Notice that the waist still leads the movement.

Then the video shows a student doing the circles while walking. The walking makes the waist movement harder so the circles become smaller.

The video also shows vertical circle training. Notice the waist turning ever so slightly.

I do, however, practice vertical circles with wrist alone also because it's good for wrist flexibility and strengthening.

So does that mean that the wide circles should be the length of the sword?

Ahem ! Cough Cough !!!

Lest we not forget to place an emphasis on footwork... and the use of "gravity" to increase blade forcefulness, grace and speed.

If you examine techniques the Chinese use (aside from circular motions described above)... the movements of the blade, generally speaking, are augmented by a near "falling motion" of the arms, upper torso in conjunction with a near collapsing motion of the legs beginning at the knees (as one enters into and commences a strike or form movement from any particular stance).... hence my use of the word "Gravity".

In other words... body mass drives the sword, not the arms or wrists which have no strength in comparison to forces generated by body mass in motion... (formula learned in high school) !!!

No matter what form of martial arts you practice... that is the key factor to be considered in my humble opinion...and if performed correctly... looks deceptively effortless.

Modified Post --> Watch how masters move their blades...and note that their "center" is not where they are... their center is oustide their body... out in front... back to the rear... to the sides (left or right)... or diagonally... but never never never directly under where they stand.

Am I confusing everyone with this concept ?

When you watch the video recommended in the above reply, focus in on the knees of Master... see them collapsing? Focus in in the arms of Master... see them falling with each movement? Near in sync with the collapsing legs...yes? And note how Master's whole body "center" is out in front of him.... or at angles to him. When master lifts his forward leg in the middle of the vid... notice how his body is in a controlled fall as Master then proceeds to strike with the blade as the lifted leg once again descends to touch earth (out where his center truly is). Can you see it? Do you see how Master uses gravity to enhance his form?