Classic Yang Style Sword (54 forms and applications)

 
It is said that to master the sword (jian) is the highest level of skill. The Taiji jian is the pefect blend of sophistication coupled with praticality. When trained properly the sword becomes an extension of the body thus allowing the player to extend their qi and manipulate the opponent from a much greater distance.

The classic Yang style 54 form set is perfect blend of exercise, qi expression and application. We teach the set slowly and incrementally with focus on the "what and why". It is imperative that the student should gain a working understanding in the proper use of the weapon as they learn the beautiful flowing movements of the forms. Thus each form is taught and practiced with the application in mind.

Part 1   
1    Commencing the form
2    Step forward and close with sword
3    Fairy points the way
4    Three rings envelope the moon
5    Big Chief Star
6    Swallow dips beak in the water
7    Left sweep, right sweep
8    Little Chief Star
9    Yellow bee enters the hole
10    Spirit Cat catches the mouse
11    Dragonfly touches the water
12    Swallow enters the nest
13    Phoenix spreads its wings
14    Right whirlwind
15    Little Chief Star
16    Left whirlwind
17    Waiting for a fish

Part 2   
18    Part the grass in search of the snake
19    Hold the moon against the chest
20    Send the bird to the woods
21    Black dragon waves its tail
22    Wind blows the lotus leaf
23    Lion shakes its head
24    Tiger holds its head
25    Wild horse jumps the stream
26    Turn the body and reign in the horse
27    Compass
28    Clean up dust in the wind
29    Push the boat with the current
30    Shooting star chases the moon
31    Bird flys over the waterfall
32    Raise the screen
33    Left and right wheel sword
34    Swallow picks up mud with beak
35    Roc spreads its wings
36    Pick up moon from sea bottom
   
Part 3   
37    Hold the moon against the chest
38    Night demon gauges the depth of the sea
39    Rhino stares at the moon
40    Shoot the geese
41    Blue dragon waves its claws
42    Phoenix spreads its wings
43    Left and right step over obstacle
44    Shoot the geese
45    White ape offers up fruit
46    Falling flowers posture
47    Fair lady weaves the shuttles
48    White tiger waves its tail
49    Fish jumps into the dragons gate
50    Black dragon wraps around post
51    Fairy points the way 2
52    Wind blows away the plumb flowers
53    Hold the tablet
54    Hold the sword and return to original stance

Basic Jian Techniques (30)
1    Split or chop - vertical or diagonal downward chop with blade edge
2    Stab or thrust - using tip of the sword in a straight thrust, the power reaches the tip of the sword
3    Slide upward - uses the third tip of the sword to slide upward along opponents sword or body
4    Shake or sway - sword moves parrallel to block or strike
5    Sweep - low to the ground horizontal strike with blade
6    Intercept - use the tip section to intercept the attack at opponents hands or forearms from any angle
7    Pluck - using vertical edge, arm and sword lined up straight, blade moves from bottom up
8    Draw back or pull - pulling the blade backwards or upward and backward slicing the opponent along the way
9    Lift - circular defense technique starting from under opponents attack
10    Divide/Expand - sword and arm are lined up straight, the expand can be diagonal or horizontal
11    Point - quick attack motion normally at opponents wrist, neck or temple
12    Slide - close attack used when blade is already in contact with opponent, slice using blade edge
13    Smear - horizontal attack using just the blade tip
14    File - blade is in contact with opponent, thrust blade away from you thus cutting the opponent
15    Entwine or wrap - clockwise or counter clockwise tight circles around opponents wrist or sword, used to neutralize
16    Bear - strong upward or diagonal blockwith the thick blunt part of the blade
17    Impede or hamper - avoid attack by assuming a low stance while attacking diagonally to the wrist
18    Deflect, hinder or obstruct - deflection of a stab sliding the enemys weapon away from your body, your blade can point up or down
19    Cloud - defense circular block above the upper front of the head, then attack by finishing the circle
20    Cover & press down - use the sword body to press down on the opponents weapon
21    Wash - blade moves with turning body, usually a defensive block, power is generated by the body's spinning
22    Rise - to block the opponent straight up, normally followed by chopping straight down
23    Embrace - block when right hand holds the sword, left hand is on the side of the handle
24    Bore - high block with blade pointing down, neutralize down, turn blade over, thrust into opponent
25    Bind - sword tip pointing forward, blade is vertical, neutralize backward continuously
26    Cut - horizontal sword blade "pushed" into opponent (at neck)
27    Block - vertical sword blade to block upward
28    Sink - using sword tip only, flick sword tip up as you sink into snake creeps down
29    Clip - sudden downward attack with sword tip from side angle
30    Side cut - horizontal sword blade, use lieh energy and sword tip to attack an opponent coming at you from the side