how can i llearn lightsaber combat

[JWOMANIAC420]

i dont hve any lightsaber academys where i live can you find me one close by or a lightsaber club so i can learn and find my form

[Obese Wan Kenobese]

Helpful videos. http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=30144.0

Sparring partners. http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=8901.0

Clubs. http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=6739.0

Search around the forum. It's really a self motivated self guidance thing. But there's lots of videos that help.

[Maestro]

learn online with youtube.  search Bendu Lightsaber Combat Or Terra Prime Lightsaber Academy

[scifidude79]

learn online with youtube.  search Bendu Lightsaber Combat Or Terra Prime Lightsaber Academy

How complete is the training you can get on YouTube?  IE:  If I just use YouTube, (where I was planning to start anyway) will I eventually reach a point where I can duel effectively or will I need to seek out other training?

[Guardianofwinds]

You can learn a lot, however you may want to seek out instruction for a credible school or group. From what I hear, ARMA/HEMA groups would be a good resource if no martial arts school is nearby. It will take time to develop and learn proper footwork,body mechanics and bladework. They do make a difference. Try doing forms without the saber, focus on how you move. Watch your posture, watch your footing, watch how you project your attacks and how to respond to others, and this last one is more personal, watch how others duel. You can learn a lot by watching others. how they project when they're going to attack, their eyes, face, arms, legs, and sometimes tempo (think of it as the rhythm or pattern of attack. do they; attack, attack, pull back? do they slash across the shoulder then stab?)  will give away a lot.

How well you can effectively duel will be the result of several things between you and your opponent; experience (how many times have you dueled before and what kinds of knowledge either taught or discovered you have obtained), Foundation ( yes I know this kind of ties into the first, but I consider it separate. Having a good foundation is essential, but a lot of people who duel and have been dueling for many years and have learned much do not possess this) Agility, stamina and a handful of other things. Im working on cardio so I can take care of the stamina portion and work towards more agility in combat.

[Master Seblaise]

My opinion, and it is only my opinion  , is that training and learning never end.

BUT, the fact is that a light saber is a weapon with very primitive shape: a cylinder. With a light saber, you do not have to manage blade orientation or things like that. With a light saber, it is easy to begin dueling like a barbarian with friends in order to have fighting sensations.

Then comes the real training. Practicing martial art from earth or from a light saber academy will provide skills: Distance to the opponent management (for attacking, for parrying, for dodging), balance for better strike, defense reflex, speed, combo, counter attack ...

All these skills are considered differently by every martial style. I think that nobody can say that he/she has completed training for even one of these skills!!!! Once again, for me, training never ends ... even greatest masters can improve their skills ...

So, for me, you can effectively duel very quickly .... you will fight like a barbarian but you will fight ... Shadow training by repeating sequences alone is not as good as real fight for understanding sensations of a opponent striking you Then, if you want to become a duelist, you have to train with a master  ... but your training will never end

[scifidude79]

Thanks for the information, both of you.  Indeed, training never ends.  Stamina isn't an issue for me, I'm an army veteran and I unload trucks at Walmart.  So, stamina I have.  What I'm lacking is any kind of training or experience in melee combat.  Even my army training didn't involve much beyond a few basic moves in case you run out of bullets.

Though, the good news is that I'll probably be dueling mainly with two friends from work.  Only one of them has any kind of martial arts training.  Plus, they're sure to be friendly duels for pure fun and love of lightsabers.

I may look into taking some classes locally.  There are martial arts academies at which I can train.  Though, I want to look into classes that focus purely on swords.  I don't need to know how to chop anybody in half with my bare hands, or anything like that. 

[Master Seblaise]

Thanks for the information, both of you.  Indeed, training never ends.  Stamina isn't an issue for me, I'm an army veteran and I unload trucks at Walmart.  So, stamina I have.  What I'm lacking is any kind of training or experience in melee combat.  Even my army training didn't involve much beyond a few basic moves in case you run out of bullets.

Though, the good news is that I'll probably be dueling mainly with two friends from work.  Only one of them has any kind of martial arts training.  Plus, they're sure to be friendly duels for pure fun and love of lightsabers.

I may look into taking some classes locally.  There are martial arts academies at which I can train.  Though, I want to look into classes that focus purely on swords.  I don't need to know how to chop anybody in half with my bare hands, or anything like that. 

To learn how to manage the distance with an opponent and improve your balance ... you can try every strike based martial art

One again, it is only my point of view but the skills i have developed in french kick boxing are very helpful when i fight with a stick ...

[scifidude79]

Well, kickboxing is an option for me locally, Muay Thai Kickboxing, that is, along with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA and some others.  Or, I can just learn fencing if I want strictly sword training.  It's always nice to have options. 

[Master Seblaise]

Well, kickboxing is an option for me locally, Muay Thai Kickboxing, that is, along with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA and some others.  Or, I can just learn fencing if I want strictly sword training.  It's always nice to have options. 

Maybe i am not clear 

If you can practice sword in a Fencing club, do it. What i want to said is: If you do not have a fencing club, you can practice strike based martial arts and it will give you lots of skills for sword fighting

[scifidude79]

Maybe i am not clear 

If you can practice sword in a Fencing club, do it. What i want to said is: If you do not have a fencing club, you can practice strike based martial arts and it will give you lots of skills for sword fighting

I'm sure you were clear, it was probably just a case of me reading your post wrong.  My head is spinning from all of this, since I just all of a sudden decided not only to order a lightsaber after years of "window browsing" but I also just suddenly decided it might be fun to learn to fight with the thing.  So, the possibilities are all kind of swimming around in my head at once.  Anyway, I'd like to thank you for your valuable feedback and advice.  Whether or not I'll do any of it remains to be seen.  I have a somewhat erratic work schedule, so I'm not sure when I would even have time to take classes, unless I put in for specific days off, which can take time to get approved at my workplace.