Gilman Studio On-Line Lessons

Yang Style

Tai Chi Dao/Saber/Broadsword

Lesson 20:

This Lesson Contains:

Movement # 20 – Spin The Saber Right And Left

This is another fun movement to learn. When done correctly, the saber spins in a sort of figure 8 in front of the body, twice. It looks flashy, is good for wrist mobility, and has a solid application value. The opponent pokes towards my center. I neutralize the poke to my left, then lead the opponent’s saber over to my strong right side, and follow with a cut down to her shoulder or wrist. This movement is repeated twice.

The opponent pokes my center.

1) I sit back and neutralize the poke to my left with the side of my saber.

2) Staying back, I start to lead her saber over to my right side.

1) I stick to the top of the opponent’s saber with the side of my saber.

2) I attack her shoulder with a downward cut.

I start to join and neutralize.

The torso starts to turn to the left as the weight starts to shift to the left foot. The right toe still faces north.

As the weight shifts back, the right wrist starts to rotate counterclockwise as the elbow rises. Actually, the point of the saber is dropping as the handle rises in order to bring the side of the saber in front of the body.

The left hand remains on the right wrist.

Focus on the side of the blade to join.

I have neutralized the opponent’s attack.

The torso now faces the left knee (halfway between north and west). The weight is all on the left leg.

The saber is now hanging straight down and is in front of the right side of the center of the body. It is pressing slightly to the left to stick. The left hand remains on or near the right wrist.

Focus on the side of the blade for sticking.

I am starting to lead the opponent’s saber to my right side. I could flip her saber over to my right side but then I lose control. It is better to stick and lead.

Keeping the weight back on the left foot, start to turn the torso to the right.

The right wrist starts to rotate in a clockwise direction as the elbow drops. There is a feeling of pressing the side of the saber down and to the right. The left hand remains on or near the right wrist.

Focus on the side of the blade for sticking and leading.

The flip over is complete. I am now on top of the opponent’s saber while sticking with the underneath surface.

The weight is still back on the left foot. The torso has turned to face the right leg (north).

Thee right hand has rotated until the fingers of the hand are facing upward. The blade is now parallel to the ground with the point facing to the right. The left hand remains on the right wrist.

Focus on the underneath surface of the blade in order to stick.

I start to cut.

The weight is shifting straight forward onto the right leg.

The cut is done mostly with the wrist. It rotates in a counterclockwise direction in order to swing the blade over to the front. This cut is really done from the belly flicking to the left. The left hand remains on the right wrist.

Focus on the target (shoulder of wrist).

The cut is complete.

The weight is shifted to the right foot until the knee covers the toe. The torso faces the same direction (north).

The right hand cuts downward in a slicing fashion. The cutting edge faces down. The point is almost straight ahead. The right hand is on the right side of the right hip/waist. The left hand stays on the right wrist.

Focus on the cutting edge.

Note: This sequence is now repeated once again. Shift back and neutralize to the left. Staying back, turn the torso to the right and lead the opponent’s saber to your right, flipping it over. Shift forward and cut.

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