These are 4 of the top rated Academies in America so I thought they were worth sharing... LudoSport Lightsaber Combat Academy Golden Gate Knights New York Jedi Terra Prime Lightsaber Academy
These look amazing! I had no idea there was a big one like that in New York. I will have to google these places and look at their sites!!!
The problem with most of those "systems" is IMHO - they are aimed at choreography. It's perfectly cool using a Wushu or Kenjutsu form to handle a lightsaber, if all you want to do is perform a stage-fight. But if you want to actually duel, you will quickly see, that all of those arts don't do any sparring anymore. Wushu is a conglomerate of ancient styles, forms of different schools put together mixed with acrobatics. Kenjutsu was in decline since 1600 and every ryû-ha has its own set of katas, that are not necessarily practical. So any style derived from them will also inherit these flaws. Ludosport has the practical approach, but frankly said - that's McDojo to me. Overpriced, corporate design, selling not only courses but grades, clothes and weapons. But they are good at selling their brand. Some of their sparring-fights look really good, some don't. It all depends on what you want.
You have made some very good points here. I appreciate that. I never thought of it to be more dance related but now that I read this and looked back on the videos, I see what you mean. I will be reading up on what you mentioned. It seems a lot of classes out there don't offer any real saber sparring
It's funny how much Sabercombat and HEMA have in common when it comes to evolution. The first people using swords were doing staged fights at renaissance faires. But stage-fight is an art in itself. I'm totally respecting those people - as I'm respecting any practioner of Wushu or any other of those arts. But, fact is: fighting an opponent who wants to hit you is a totally different matter. You have to work with distance, timing, feints, etc. Turning your back towards your opponent will get you a hit in the back 9 out of 10 times. But Lightsabercombat is as much about action as it is about fighting, so we have to make some compromises there, I believe.
These look amazing to me. I mean I get that there is a difference but training here (one of these kinds of places) would still help either or.
I am down for this or real sparring really. Both look fascinating and extremely rewarding to do! One is even close by!
