I liked the video and I gave it a thumbs up. However, when the long-haired guy was using the guan dao he was using it like a spear which is why I don’t think he did as well. When the weapons were switched the long weapon was used more like a guan dao with longer more powerful slashes and the sword just wasn’t strong enough to defend.

I like this video, learned quite a bit, actually reinforced my own "fighting" style in that I'm going to have more of a tendency not to chase my opponent around (referring to the first guy using the broadsword). Something I see lacking with the broadsword user is that there is little to no lateral movement. Like you've said in previous videos there is that range component. He's already out of your range with his longer weapon and every time you went straight in for him he easily maintained that distance and when you did cut him it was not at close range, you had to reach your broadsword out there. I'm no expert at all in this but observation. If this was a "real" fight, I'm circling and circling and eventually the long range weapon will over commit and you side step with a forward step and slice him. This is just my feedback but great video. Nicely done!

Thank you very much. Still lots of practice and training to do on it. Will try and post a break down step by step Video of Chen Style Guan Dao as taught to me in part by Master Fu Nengbin and in part by my own understanding. Hopefully it might help someone. I dont have sophisticated video equipment so it will be basic editing.

Might I recommend foam padded swords? There are high quality ones up for sale online these days with over an inch of padding. Also, to the first person holding a sword, perhaps find ways to parry or bind the pole arm and rush in. Rushing in may sound risky, but it is less risky than standing outside sword range but within polearm range.

Thank you very much. I enjoy yr videos very much too guys. I will try and put up a video of me doing the Quan Dao in my backyard. There is some video of me doing Chen Quan Dao at the British Taiji Champ in Oxford England in 2015. If you type on KZfaq Ladies Taiji Weapons European Championships 2015 it might come up. Best Wishes.

Did you make this guan dao yourself? If so, how? I'm not much of a handy man but I'd love to see a tutorial video and give it a go. I can't seem to find anywhere where you can purchase guan dao or other kung fu polearms for sparring (rubber, foam covered, wooden, whatever I'm fascinated by the idea of doing the guan dao moves in sparring and having to improvise and adjust against a resisiting opponent).

I don't think either is necessarily a great analog for the weapons. The Guan dao (I'm not an expert.) from my understanding is generally an overly heavy training/demonstration weapon...weighing at least 5 kilograms (12 lbs.) and generally upwards of 10 kg (24 lbs.) and certainly not for thrusting. In a real contest an unarmed man might have an advantage against a man weilding a heavy guan dao....if he can grip onto the shaft closing the distance wouldn't be a problem and then it's a contest of hand to hand.

where abouts are you guys located. i can use some weapon sparring partners instead of just basic forms

also forgot to mention that the guan dao guy didnt really use the butt of the polearm as much. Especially with a long bladed polearm like that you can use that reach as an advantage but also you can kick, push, punch and all sorts of things. Keep this in mind when doing ANY kind of fighting, is to be creative. Don't limit yourself to a certain way or certain set of techniquese. In fact, there was an opening where i saw the guan dao guy can land a drop kick and finish the dao guy off on the ground with a thrust.

Looks like fun. So much more difficult in sparring. From what I see, the first guy is holding the Guan Dao too close to the end with his left hand so he is losing power and speed. The second guy is holding it better. Slide your hands up to shorten the length if the Dao gets inside. Easier said than done but you seem to be using it too much like a spear. It is more similar to a quarterstaff in use.

Hi again Guys sorry about the wrong link. Type on you tube LADIES EUROPEAN OPEN WEAPONS. You can look at me at the competition. I wasnt happy with my performance it could have been better.

I like your videos. I think you have an understanding of Taiji principles and concepts. I think you probably have more skil than a lot of people considering the amount of rubbish Taiji I have looked at. I dont think my Chen is perfect, far from perfect. The Guan Dao is a heavy weapon which requires a lot of upper body strength and tremendous coiling skill, this is why you see so many Taiji people make a mess of it. Most people who practice Taiji are not martial artists to begin with. They never really understand the meaning of combat. Street fighting, being able to defend yr self with anything available. That's why I combine my Chen with Krav Maga. Martial Art that was designed by the Israel Army in the 1940's. The Guan Dao is a Van guard weapon. Its big and heavy used to take out horse men not really suitable for close combat in confined places. Saying that yr opponent should if skilled be able to keep you at a great distance by using the length of the pole to execute over head circular slices and forward chops. You on the otherhand should take advantage of putting yr opponent off balance and getting him to fully extend himself. You should take advantage of the nimble light weight of yr broadsword to close the distance by applying the many leaping and jumping postures available in the Yang Luchan style of Broadsword. There are many such movements in the 21 posture Chen Broadsword. Unless you are playing you just cannot make a mistake when someone has a long pole, baseball or iron bar. Clinical cuts in the right places. Are you combat trained. Have you any military training?.

Guys this really needs some work.

*very lightly taps "He got it" Sorry bud this aint olympic fencing. Under stressful situations people tense up and one poke aint gna put him to the ground

fate piangere , per non dire ridere