Learning to dance - SJO Lightsaber Combat Training

[WelshGuy]

Yuroic moved around the Padawans with great care. Watching with extreme interest as they attacked each other and learned the Form in a practical manner. He approached Asani and Kaiza first. He noted that Asani used her jumping capabilities to counter height issues. A true Ataru tactic that Yuroic noted as had Kaiza now. He knew of many Jedi shorter than the average humanoid who preferred Ataru. Gave them advances over taller races who were not predicting such wild and acrobatic moves.

Interesting Kaiza, Asani. Now Kaiza, I know you prefer Soresu, your stances and general combat style indicates as much. However, I want you to focus not on beating Asani till she breaks but attacking, testing her defences and seeking weaknesses to expose. Aggression and battering can be mostly Djem So, however, one can be finer and delicate with it, testing one's opponent's defences skills. Seeing where the faults lie and then hitting hard. Yuroic hoped that the Padawan would see his point, he could tell she was not one for aggressive power, neither was Asani, but that wasn't all Djem So offered.

Moving over to the male Padawans, he watched as they used the raw strength they had into the attacks. Interesting, he waited until they had finished their spar before making his comments on their abilities and areas for improvement.

[member="Asani Windsong"] | [member="Kaiza Pawaro"] | [member="Darren Torran"] | [member="Dusaro Dresari"]

 

[Asani Windsong]

Asani was happy to receive some praise from both Kaiza and Yuroic, but she remained focused on the spar. Unlike Kaiza, she didn't have to 'pretend' that her partner was physically superior, though she was nevertheless glad that the Mirialan didn't seem to be going easy on her. As Kaiza lunged at her and followed up with a continuous stream of strikes, Asani began defending herself as best she could. Rather than futilely attempting to completely block Kaiza's strikes, which she knew she lacked the strength to do, she instead followed Kaiza's example, deflecting the blows enough to parry or dodge them. However, with her lack of experience, her defense was far from perfect, with Kaiza's initial lunge knocking her off balance briefly, causing her to take a couple of minor hits as she tried to recover. If Kaiza continued, she would start to get a little more comfortable with the flow of her defensive movements in response to Kaiza's flow of attacks. She knew she couldn't keep this up forever though, as her heart pounded away and she began to breath harder as her inexperienced and thus inefficient defense began to wear on her stamina.


[member="Yuroic Xeraic"] / [member="Kaiza Pawaro"] / [member="Dusaro Dresari"] / [member="Darren Torran"]

 

[Kaiza Pawaro]

“Alright,” said Kaiza between puffs, “I’ll do as you ask.”

Essentially stopping the attack, she drew deep breaths and gave Asani a nod, indicating she would continue in the attacks. Entering Djem So’s opening stance once more, offering her sparring partner time to recover, the yellow-skinned Padawan prepared herself, eyes set upon the smaller sentient’s training blade. She’d have to force it away, as far as she possible from the furred Jedi’s body to buy herself enough time to attack the unprotected side. That was the plan, anyway. This time, instead of relentlessly hammering the furry creature, Kaiza’s strikes were considerably slower. Rather than brute power and raw strength, she focused on exploiting Asani’s parries; forcing the Kushiban into creating an opening for her to exploit.


[member="Asani Windsong"] [member="Yuroic Xeraic"]

 

[Darren Torran]

Darren stumbled back slightly - but still did his best to hold his balance. He knew that he had to strike back as soon as possible. Letting the enemy recover during a duel was never a good idea. And so Darren twirled his blade behind him - bringing it back into a strong upward sweep. In theory - if Dusaro didn't have good enough grip on his saber - then it would knock the saber out of his hand. In theory.

[member="Dusaro Dresari"] | [member="Yuroic Xeraic"] | [member="Kaiza Pawaro"] | [member="Asani Windsong"]

 

[Dusaro Dresari]

Dusaro's upper body and hands were firmly positioned against Darren's next blow as he quickly followed it up. Still keeping his left hand on the back of his right, he moved his block down only just in time to meet the upwards blow. What was forced back was not Dusaro's lightsaber from his grasp however, he managed to keep a solid hold on the weapon. The heavy blow foced him to take a step back with his right foot, closing his footing to become much more defensive, his left foot shiting back. While his grip on his saber was still solid, his footing had been upset by the blow, something Darren could doubtlessly take advantage of with his followup third blow.

[member="Darren Torran"] [member="Kaiza Pawaro"] [member="Asani Windsong"] [member="Yuroic Xeraic"]

 

[Asani Windsong]

Asani was thankful for Kaiza giving her a chance to catch her breath, though knowing if this were a real battle her opponent would likely not be so charitable. Hearing Yuroic’s instruction to Kaiza, she expected her defenses would be tested even further in the next stage of the spar, and Kaiza did not disappoint there.

She wasn’t really sure how to counter this new tactic and with each parry she was knocked more off balance and found defending the next attack to be more and more difficult. With her defenses being pried open, she could think of only one thing to do, well, besides fleeing Kaiza’s attacks entirely. Just as Kaiza was about to make her next strike, Asani quickly deactivated her saber and dove between her legs, rolling and swiftly turning around to aim a strike at Kaiza’s back as she reactivated her training saber and its blade returned with that distinctive pop-hiss.

[SIZE=11pt][member="Yuroic Xeraic"] / [member="Kaiza Pawaro"] / [member="Dusaro Dresari"] / [member="Darren Torran"][/SIZE]

 

[Kaiza Pawaro]

A perfect example of defending oneself from Djem So’s wide, powerful attacks. Utilizing her tiny form and speed, the Kushiban had avoided the strike and quickly disappeared; diving beneath the larger sentient’s legs and emerging in her back. Before the Mirialan recovered from delivering the last blow, about to swiftly spin around and defend herself, she felt the hot blade of a training lightsaber hit her back side. While not necessarily burning, it was enough to be felt through the harsh fabric of her apparel – a hot sensation that brought in shock and amusement as Kaiza realized what just happened.

“Hah! Good one!” Kaiza laughed, accepting the hit with humour.

Fully turned to face Asani, and very much aware of her tricks now, the Mirialan Padawan took a decisive step forward, bringing her blade at her in a powerful, horizontal slash, using her muscular strength to ensure Asani wouldn’t stand a chance blocking – thus forcing the furry creature into either parrying or dodging completely, both options equally challenging and leaving the Kushiban exposed in one way or another.


[member="Asani Windsong"] [member="Yuroic Xeraic"]

 

[WelshGuy]

Yuroic watched the male Padawans fight. Their attacks and defend were bold and strong. It seemed evenly matched to him. Good work you two, seems you show spar often. Always good to have someone who will make you work harder. He spotted that Kaiza and Asani were improvising and being quite fluid in their moves. Seems you both are using Djem So in curious manners. Which is excellent, you can never be too strict with a lightsaber form. Only because your opponent will then know your exact moves.

Try to be creative when possible. Utilise your strengths or their weaknesses. I am sure you hear it all the time but well, it is true. Yuroic chuckled before taking a step back and studying the group closely. Does anyone wish to try and take me on using Djem So? You can team up, give you a better chance of not instantly losing. Yuroic gave another chuckle. However, it was a useful exercise as not all their opponents will be Padawans like they were. For instance, Yuroic's first confrontation with a Sith was a Sith Lord. Luckily he had help during that duel. It was not easy.

It might seem unfair or difficult. But sadly, Sith Knights and Lords won't ignore you because you are just a Padawan. In fact many will attack you to gain another kill or attempt to convert you. So best that you learn how to team together and attack an opponent, two of you against one of them is much better in the end. Yuroic explained as he ignited his interlocking sabers and turned them down to be safe.

[member="Darren Torran"] | [member="Asani Windsong"] | [member="Kaiza Pawaro"] | [member="Dusaro Dresari"]