Xingyi Jian
Well, we started learning xingyi jian today, specifically Pi Jian (chopping straight sword). It's a gua (sword-spin block) followed by a chop. The chop is not simple, of course:
You reach out with your arms, and then let them slide back toward your danitian. This way, the sword edge will slide on your opponent's skin -- the blade will bite in deeper and CUT things, then.
It's the same theory as a razor blade. If you are careful, and hold a razorblade still on your skin, it won't cut you, even if it is pushed in a little. But if you slide it along the skin at all, it will make you bleed.
This is one of the techniques that is specifically missing from Amtgard, that would cause an Amtgarder to be less effective at using a real sword -- we rely on bounces, and "draw-cuts" don't count. Combine this will "no attacking the head (for safety reasons)", and Amtgard training seems much less effective. That said, Amtgard does teach complex parries, feints, and movement tactics. So there are some advantages.
You reach out with your arms, and then let them slide back toward your danitian. This way, the sword edge will slide on your opponent's skin -- the blade will bite in deeper and CUT things, then.
It's the same theory as a razor blade. If you are careful, and hold a razorblade still on your skin, it won't cut you, even if it is pushed in a little. But if you slide it along the skin at all, it will make you bleed.
This is one of the techniques that is specifically missing from Amtgard, that would cause an Amtgarder to be less effective at using a real sword -- we rely on bounces, and "draw-cuts" don't count. Combine this will "no attacking the head (for safety reasons)", and Amtgard training seems much less effective. That said, Amtgard does teach complex parries, feints, and movement tactics. So there are some advantages.