Tournament Forms/Weapons Tips

[East Coast Kempo]

Does anyone have any tips to do well in the forms or weapons forms division of a tournament? I'd like to know about hard forms, and kung-fu forms if that doesn't fit under the definition of hard. The only pure wushu form I know is Mantis, fyi. As for weapons, anything will do, feel free to post weapon specific things. Since I have never been to Hawaii, I am unsure if I am allowed to use the term mahalo...but it would be applicable to anyone who posted here.

With respect,
Matt

[John Magee]

Think of what the judges would want to see after watching their 20th competitor put them to sleep with a boring form...  I want a whip to crack when it counts.  Weapons, it varies depending on the tool.  Generally speaking, I shouldn't notice the weapon nearly as much as I notice that you and the weapon are "one."

I totally agree.

I filmed this short of a teacher at a school near the shaolin temple practicing his weapons routine (i am one of the schmoes doing laps around him). I do not know what this weapon is called but I think if you can learn it and do it right (like this guy does) you could go far in competition with it.This is only a short cut of what he did but i thought it was way cool. By the way the "thunk" sound you hear about half way through the clip is from the guy sticking the thing into the celing and then pulling it out again!
http://media.putfile.com/monk38

[East Coast Kempo]

I just got a broadsword for x-mas! Any weapon specific tips on how to do well with it in a tournament [ex. wat to emphasize in particular during the form]? Also, any tips on the sai would be appreciated.

[Vala Au]

I just got a broadsword for x-mas! Any weapon specific tips on how to do well with it in a tournament [ex. wat to emphasize in particular during the form]? Also, any tips on the sai would be appreciated.

A very accurate and intuitive reponse by badsifu.  I attended the Leeward KenpoTournament yesterday in Wahiawa.  In soft style, the moves should flow one into the other (roll like a ball, not like a brick) but still be explosive and powerful, not look flimsy like a wet noodle.  For the broadsword, a fast arm roll (figure 8 that goes behind the back) and hacking moves that make that slicing sound in the air are usually impressive. Accentuate the power moves with the Chinese forms of Kiai - (Sot, Cha, or Yee are common).  Most of the judges are usually hard style folks and will appreciate that.  It's about appealing to their likes if you want to take home some gold.  The sai, we call it gen in Chinese.  Same basic formula applies.

[Sifu C]

Forms in general . . .

Solid stances, solid blocks that are strikes and solid stikes all perfomed with the same intensity, rhythm, timing and power of a fight.  If performed with a weapon, the weapon becomes part of you and is an extension of you.


With my respects,


Sibak C