by p_quick » Thu Jan 29, 2009 1:49 pm
here is what Arthon said on the E-samurai board. I thought you would want to read it big man i think he really gave you good feed-back
I am commenting on his explanations, not on his fighting as I did not watch the sparring. Also, this is not a single sword video, it's a video about teaching the 'seven basic shots'. When he spars, he and his partner both have shields.
Caveat: I am only making negative comments now ... I will post about his positive aspects in a bit.
1) Leg Shot - Cypress did outside swing, Bkahdar did inside swing ... no talk about the why he made the change-up (except for making it more ‘vertical’).... no talk about footwork, or visual cues or body position – all important.
2) Hip Shot - when he drops, doesn't talk about body position (the need to not lean).
3) Wrap Shot - The mechanics of a wrap shot need a lot of exposition to throw it correctly. This was not given.
4) Drop Shot - needs to talk about range as well as height differentiations between opponents. Half the time, he's not doing a drop shot .. he's actually pulling back, then throwing the shot.
5) Shoulder Wrap – again not talking about the mechanics of how to throw the wrap … this is crucial. Also, he’s tall … needs to talk about how a shorter person could throw it. Really, doesn’t cover this one much at all.
6) Short Cross – Distance, distance, distance – crucial for this shot – not mentioned. Also not mentioned – he is attacking the strong part of his opponent’s blade .. needs to expound on why. This topic also only given cursory coverage.
7) High Cross – He high crossed inside Cypress’ sword when he first shows it (that’s weird and probably incorrect if I think about it)…. She, however, throws it outside his sword (which is the correct way). He does at least talk about how the high cross is a bad idea as a go-to shot.
So, not sure what a non-tall newbie would take away from his explanations. I think he's got some good ideas ... they need to be developed much, much more thoroughly. He really doesn't cover much in the way of shot technique, position, footwork, timing or distance. All are critical factors in throwing any of the shots he demo'd.
Oh, yeah ... forgot to mention the most important omission of all ... Any topic where you are trying to cover all of the basic shots should, of course, include the stab.
Arty
i didn't know if you read that board or not but i feel he really hit the nail on the head there. =)
Sir Peter the Quick
Amyr