Keotsu teaches Frozenstein Kenjutsu

[KeotsuEclipse]

Hmmm... I suppose I curve my right arm first to defend myself from the attacks with my sword. The sword is in front of me and the tip is a little above my head level. Then I stretch my right leg and get up. I only raise my head and square my shoulders when my leg is almost fully stretched and I make a step backwards with my right. When I take the step backwards I start to lower my sword too to clear my sight and get a basic battle stance.

Good.

It's important to know why you don't go past your ankle: keeping your knee level with or behind your ankle allows you to use your ankle as a pivoting point. You can simply push backwards and downwards, deflecting through your ankle, and straighten back out, and rather quickly, compared to having to completely stand up by moving forward. When your knee goes past your ankle, you can't do this anymore, as the force is "aimed" at your ankle right. The reason? You're using your knee and ankle as a hydraulic press, to make a comparison. It just doesn't work with your knee past your ankle.

Now, if you're ready, we'll move on to Side-stepping, the first part in movement.

 

[Frozenstein]

I'm ready. just say what I have to do

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

I'm ready. just say what I have to do

Alright, so side-stepping is as it sounds: it involves stepping to your side to dodge an attack: and it works well to dodge pretty much any attack that's not a horizontal slash.

You can preform a sidestep by either pushing off with your opposite leg (If I want to rush right, I push off with my left leg), or by actually quickly stepping in that direction.

It's pretty simple, but immensely useful.

Try describing a movement as if a vertical slash was coming down at you.

 

[Frozenstein]

Alright, so side-stepping is as it sounds: it involves stepping to your side to dodge an attack: and it works well to dodge pretty much any attack that's not a horizontal slash.

You can preform a sidestep by either pushing off with your opposite leg (If I want to rush right, I push off with my left leg), or by actually quickly stepping in that direction.

It's pretty simple, but immensely useful.

Try describing a movement as if a vertical slash was coming down at you.

ok

*When I see the incoming attack I quickly start to make a step on my right with my right leg. In the same time I start to push myself with my left to fasten the movement. While I'm stepping I also slue my chest a bit to the left and leave smaller area open. When my right touching the ground I quickly step with my left too before the enemy could cut it off. After I made the step I take a small step on my right and turn back my chest to the original state and stand face to face with the imagined enemy.*

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

ok

*When I see the incoming attack I quickly start to make a step on my right with my right leg. In the same time I start to push myself with my left to fasten the movement. While I'm stepping I also slue my chest a bit to the left and leave smaller area open. When my right touching the ground I quickly step with my left too before the enemy could cut it off. After I made the step I take a small step on my right and turn back my chest to the original state and stand face to face with the imagined enemy.*

Very well done. ^_^

Now, we'll move on to "arc-stepping." I coined the term, but it's nothing extravagant; simply sidestepping with an arc, or not horizontally, etc.

Anyway, arc-stepping is the act of applying an arc (or curve) to your sidepstep movement, so that instead of just moving in a straight line, you can also dodge and put yourself in a favorable position with the opponent.

Like, for example, if you attacked me with a vertical slash, I could sidestep to my right, but also put an arc on my movement so that I'm facing your left shoulder, head on.

It's kind of a confusing thing, and generally you won't see the term "arc-stepping" used; more likely, they'll say sidestepping, but will just describe the movement.

Not sure if this next comparison makes any sense either, but here it goes - when you arc-step, imagine your opponent at the center of a circle, on whose edge is you. You can move about 90 degrees (1/4 the circle) in one arc-step, depending on how close you are, and how far you want to go, and how fast/hard you move yourself.

Got all that?

 

[Frozenstein]

Very well done. ^_^

Now, we'll move on to "arc-stepping." I coined the term, but it's nothing extravagant; simply sidestepping with an arc, or not horizontally, etc.

Anyway, arc-stepping is the act of applying an arc (or curve) to your sidepstep movement, so that instead of just moving in a straight line, you can also dodge and put yourself in a favorable position with the opponent.

Like, for example, if you attacked me with a vertical slash, I could sidestep to my right, but also put an arc on my movement so that I'm facing your left shoulder, head on.

It's kind of a confusing thing, and generally you won't see the term "arc-stepping" used; more likely, they'll say sidestepping, but will just describe the movement.

Not sure if this next comparison makes any sense either, but here it goes - when you arc-step, imagine your opponent at the center of a circle, on whose edge is you. You can move about 90 degrees (1/4 the circle) in one arc-step, depending on how close you are, and how far you want to go, and how fast/hard you move yourself.

Got all that?

essentially it's a step to my side and at the same time to ahead. keeping the distance between me and my opponent and arrive at his/her side. also turn my whole body to keep him/her in front of me.

to save time I'll perform 1.

*As my imagined opponent attacks, I quickly take a long step to my right and a bit ahead with my right leg. With this I will arrive at his left side at about the same distance than before. While I'm stepping with my right I get closer to my enemy so I also start to turn my whole body to my left. Minimalize the chance he could hit me and helping the step. When my right leg touches the ground I push myself with my left and take an another step, but this time with my left. Right now I'm at his left side but I don't have the right balance, so I take an another little step with my right leg to my right side. At the same time I finish turning my body and stay in front of his left shoulder. (I couldn't explain this better =/)*

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

essentially it's a step to my side and at the same time to ahead. keeping the distance between me and my opponent and arrive at his/her side. also turn my whole body to keep him/her in front of me.

to save time I'll perform 1.

*As my imagined opponent attacks, I quickly take a long step to my right and a bit ahead with my right leg. With this I will arrive at his left side at about the same distance than before. While I'm stepping with my right I get closer to my enemy so I also start to turn my whole body to my left. Minimalize the chance he could hit me and helping the step. When my right leg touches the ground I push myself with my left and take an another step, but this time with my left. Right now I'm at his left side but I don't have the right balance, so I take an another little step with my right leg to my right side. At the same time I finish turning my body and stay in front of his left shoulder. (I couldn't explain this better =/)*

Yes, it is very much like that. I, personally, consider sidestepping "defensive" while arc-stepping is the more "offensive" move. Though, it's actually counter-offensive.

xd And you really didn't need to do that - arc-stepping is more concept than anything. But still, that was very good. ^_^ As odd as it may sound, sometimes Kenjutsu battles are like dancing competitions. The better fluidity and understanding you have of what you're doing, the better off you are. It's as much about your footwork and body control as it is about control of the blade.

As a general rule of thumb, Taijutsu masters are better in Kenjutsu than average members, and vice versa. Kenjutsu is essentially a derivative of Taijutsu, and having good Taijutsu abilities only augments your Kenjutsu.

Anyway, next is "other methods of dodging" which is a mash up of different things. Ready to move on? ^_^

 

[Frozenstein]

Yes, it is very much like that. I, personally, consider sidestepping "defensive" while arc-stepping is the more "offensive" move. Though, it's actually counter-offensive.

xd And you really didn't need to do that - arc-stepping is more concept than anything. But still, that was very good. ^_^ As odd as it may sound, sometimes Kenjutsu battles are like dancing competitions. The better fluidity and understanding you have of what you're doing, the better off you are. It's as much about your footwork and body control as it is about control of the blade.

As a general rule of thumb, Taijutsu masters are better in Kenjutsu than average members, and vice versa. Kenjutsu is essentially a derivative of Taijutsu, and having good Taijutsu abilities only augments your Kenjutsu.

Anyway, next is "other methods of dodging" which is a mash up of different things. Ready to move on? ^_^

I was born to be ready xd

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

I was born to be ready xd

Okay, so first up is simply jumping. Can you tell me what strikes we've covered that can be dodged by jumping?

 

[Frozenstein]

Okay, so first up is simply jumping. Can you tell me what strikes we've covered that can be dodged by jumping?

it depends on:
where I jump (to the sides, upwards, backwards, if I bored I can jump ahead)
how much I jump (enough high or far)
how far I am from my enemy (range of the attack)
and finally what kind of attack I want to dodge

with jumping upwards I could dodge horizontal swings, stabs
with jumping to the sides I could dodge vertical swings, stabs, lunges
with jumping backwards I could dodge vertical/horizontal swings, stabs, lunges

I think if I jump ahead I could dodge horizontal swings, but it's like a suicide mission...

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

it depends on:
where I jump (to the sides, upwards, backwards, if I bored I can jump ahead)
how much I jump (enough high or far)
how far I am from my enemy (range of the attack)
and finally what kind of attack I want to dodge

with jumping upwards I could dodge horizontal swings, stabs
with jumping to the sides I could dodge vertical swings, stabs, lunges
with jumping backwards I could dodge vertical/horizontal swings, stabs, lunges

I think if I jump ahead I could dodge horizontal swings, but it's like a suicide mission...

Very good. Jumping can let you dodge a myriad of attacks, depending on how and where you jump. It is extremely useful.

Now, what about ducking?

 

[Frozenstein]

Very good. Jumping can let you dodge a myriad of attacks, depending on how and where you jump. It is extremely useful.

Now, what about ducking?

less useful than jumping, but still usable. mostly we dodge horizontal swings with this. we can dodge normal stabs too if they are aimed at our chest and we have time and space.

in contrast with jumping, it's rather a half offensive move. it helps us to remain in place and dodge the incoming attacks at the same time, allowing us to perform counterattacks easier.

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

less useful than jumping, but still usable. mostly we dodge horizontal swings with this. we can dodge normal stabs too if they are aimed at our chest and we have time and space.

in contrast with jumping, it's rather a half offensive move. it helps us to remain in place and dodge the incoming attacks at the same time, allowing us to perform counterattacks easier.

Very good.

Ducking is generally not useful, as you have other, better options. But it is there. And, like you said, it can be used to keep yourself in an offensive position.

Next are lesser forms of dodging, that I basically cover under the umbrella term "gymnastics". These include dodge rolls, back-flips, and like; things that might not really work in real life, but that, being in an RP, we are able to do due to our somewhat "super-human" physics.

Each gymnastic move is different, and can be used to dodge different attacks. However, this category is so...diverse, that really it just needs to be explored through your own experimentation, and you should find what works for you, and what fits into your style.

Now, if you're ready to go on, then we'll move on to parries.

 

[Frozenstein]

Very good.

Ducking is generally not useful, as you have other, better options. But it is there. And, like you said, it can be used to keep yourself in an offensive position.

Next are lesser forms of dodging, that I basically cover under the umbrella term "gymnastics". These include dodge rolls, back-flips, and like; things that might not really work in real life, but that, being in an RP, we are able to do due to our somewhat "super-human" physics.

Each gymnastic move is different, and can be used to dodge different attacks. However, this category is so...diverse, that really it just needs to be explored through your own experimentation, and you should find what works for you, and what fits into your style.

Now, if you're ready to go on, then we'll move on to parries.

understood. we can move on.

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

understood. we can move on.

Alright, next is parries. I describe parries as a lesser form of a counter - instead of matching a strike and immediately counter-attacking, parries are generally used to either stop, redirect, or simply deflect an attack - that's not to say that they can't be incredibly useful.

Think of it like this - if you come at me with a horizontal slice, instead of actually blocking your blade and stopping it, I swing my blade at yours, hitting it near the top, and push it out wide, quickly.

That's a key to remember with parries - they generally hit above the mid-point of the blade. They stop an attack with the strike, but it doesn't keep your blade in prolonged contact with another.

You don't have to demonstrate one. If you understand, we'll move on.

 

[Frozenstein]

Alright, next is parries. I describe parries as a lesser form of a counter - instead of matching a strike and immediately counter-attacking, parries are generally used to either stop, redirect, or simply deflect an attack - that's not to say that they can't be incredibly useful.

Think of it like this - if you come at me with a horizontal slice, instead of actually blocking your blade and stopping it, I swing my blade at yours, hitting it near the top, and push it out wide, quickly.

That's a key to remember with parries - they generally hit above the mid-point of the blade. They stop an attack with the strike, but it doesn't keep your blade in prolonged contact with another.

You don't have to demonstrate one. If you understand, we'll move on.

so if I hit a sword around it's tip/end/top how do you say it I can send it backwards instead of stopping it?

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

so if I hit a sword around it's tip/end/top how do you say it I can send it backwards instead of stopping it?

You'll use the term "parry" instead of block.

Now, I say you'll hit the sword around the top, but it's actually far more complicated than that. You can't hit too high, but neither too low. It deals with the center of percussion and a lot of other variables. However, for most, if not all people, a slightly more detailed form of "I swing my blade into yours, parrying your strike and sending your blade out wide" will suffice.

Did I manage to answer your question? If not, sorry, try elaborating on what you mean.

If so, are you ready to move on?

 

[Frozenstein]

You'll use the term "parry" instead of block.

Now, I say you'll hit the sword around the top, but it's actually far more complicated than that. You can't hit too high, but neither too low. It deals with the center of percussion and a lot of other variables. However, for most, if not all people, a slightly more detailed form of "I swing my blade into yours, parrying your strike and sending your blade out wide" will suffice.

Did I manage to answer your question? If not, sorry, try elaborating on what you mean.

If so, are you ready to move on?

Yeah I get it now (or at least I hope xd) we can move on.

 

[KeotsuEclipse]

Yeah I get it now (or at least I hope xd) we can move on.

xd Alright then.

Anyway, next is blocking. It's relatively simple, and one of the most common things to do. It involves using your own blade to bring the opponents to a complete stop, generally holding blade contact.

An example of this is if you attacked me with a vertical slash, and I raised my blade horizontally, stopping your blade against mine.

Got it?

 

[Frozenstein]

xd Alright then.

Anyway, next is blocking. It's relatively simple, and one of the most common things to do. It involves using your own blade to bring the opponents to a complete stop, generally holding blade contact.

An example of this is if you attacked me with a vertical slash, and I raised my blade horizontally, stopping your blade against mine.

Got it?

yeah it's simple.