A few questions got the combat enthusiasts

[McClane]

How many of you actually do full contact sparring?

What real life sword techniques do you draw from?

When someone on here claims to be a master of one form or another what does that mean exactly?

[Maestro]

I fight regularly with my own combat group, Bendu Lightsaber Combat, and I visit TPLA often. I recently joined the Illinois chapter of the saber legion, hoping to get more fighting opportunities.

Real world sword forms that I have personally found useful; All western fencing, Olympic and historical, including the longsword, messer, sabre, and single sword. the schools of grandmaster lichtenauer and marozzo are personal favorites. The Bolognese schools I highly recommend to anyone interested in Makashi.
In the eastern side of things, Silat and Kali are great, especially with jar kai in mind. Chinese swordplay with Dao or Jian is quite informative, and kenjutsu will go a long way towards building your timing and distance skills.

You can see me demo many of these styles and skills on youtube at Bendu Lightsaber Combat. we have a full explanation of the fundamentals of all the forms and lots of freeplay and free combat videos.

[Ander]

I teach and train and fight twice a week (sometimes more than that) in the LudoSport School I and two others founded in Genoa, Italy about four years ago. LudoSport has been active since 2006, starting in Milan, Italy.
The LudoSport approach to lightsaber combat is explained here: http://www.ludosport.net/en/light-saber-combat/ and if you need any further explanation by all means I am available.
I am an SLM-certified Instructor 2nd level, and I am currently teaching Makashi to my Clan, while (slowly) learning Soresu myself. I am definitely not a Master. My current aim is to become a certified Soresu teacher. It will definitely take some time but it's a worthy commitment.

[McClane]

Interesting, Olympic style fencing would seem to be the least effective in lightsaber because of the reliance on the full hand coverage and they way it is scored.

I've been using German longsword and focusing on adapting it to Djem So.

[Maestro]

Olympic fencing is superb supplemental training for any martial artist, swordsman of any other style and yes even lightsaber combat.
Obviously, its a bit different in terms of techniques, but the tactics, skills, control, timing and distance, and most importantly the first principles are universal!
Like all sword arts and combat, fencing is built on the universal principles of psychology, anatomy and physics.
It has less to do with the blade and much much more to do with the mentality, and movement.

[Master Nero Attoru]

Interesting, Olympic style fencing would seem to be the least effective in lightsaber because of the reliance on the full hand coverage and they way it is scored.

I've been using German longsword and focusing on adapting it to Djem So.

Actually, with the three different weapons, you get varying rules which each have applications.  Different weapons in fencing have varying levels of hand coverage, and the techniques apply in interesting ways.  For instance, epee has the full body target that lightsaber sparring employs.

Sport fencing is my background, I currently coach at Lafayette College (where I got my degree).  I work with TPLA as a Headmaster, currently training two Apprentices through Makashi.  Due to the fencing part, most people associate me with Makashi, but I don't really consider myself a master of any Form.  Currently working on contributing more content to TPLA, and training in some Form V and VI aspects myself.