Thread: Stop the sword from spinning when your turning

When turning, how do you stop the sword from spinning while it's balanced on your head?

There's the holding your arms up on either side to stop the sword from spinning but what other ways are there?

It shouldn't spin if you are turning at a steady speed. You can hold it with your arms or hands to get started and let it go once you have reached the speed you want. Or you can accelerate very slowly, starting with walking in a circle and very slowly making your circles smaller and faster until you are spinning. I always use my hands when I stop spinning. If I don't, it spins around on my head, which wouldn't bother me except that from time to time it falls off.
But it stays put while you spin if you don't speed up or slow down rapidly.

Yes what Khalima said. I use my one arm (you can use both) to get the sword going when I start to spining. Like said above don't start too fast or slow down too quickly. One you stop you can subtly lift your arm up again as to stop the sword once you have stopped.

That's what I do, but I thought there was some other trick to it other than using one's arm to stop the spinning of the sword, if it were to happen.

Actually, having the sword spin on your head after you stop (providing it doesn't fall) is an awesome trick to master. Really gets the crowd going. If you could stop, let it turn once on your head, then grab it and pose, that would be pretty spectacular. Back in the day, this was one of the coolest sword tricks.

Originally Posted by dunyah

Actually, having the sword spin on your head after you stop (providing it doesn't fall) is an awesome trick to master. Really gets the crowd going. If you could stop, let it turn once on your head, then grab it and pose, that would be pretty spectacular. Back in the day, this was one of the coolest sword tricks.

One of my teachers does this. She also uses her index finger to stop it from spinning when she doesn't do this.

Well DAMN! I'm doing a trick and I didn't realize it? I feel stupid now. ..l;,..l;,

OOO Ima gonna try that!! Hopefully my hair doesn't spin under it! ;-)

Move your head slightly (in a very level way) in the counter spin direction when you have slowed down and wish to stop, it slows and stops much faster. Lots of practise.

For slow spins I do what Anala says. I will also let me head "lag" a bit while my body finishes the spin (more of a slow pivot), so if 12 o'clock is the audience and I'm spinning counter clockwise (12-9-6-3-12) as I come around I let my gaze (and head) stop at about 2 o'clock and it'll brake the sword.

I want to practice stopping and letting the sword spin once more.

I never use arms. A heavy swod is easier to balance and spin.
When I start turning I turn slow, fully aware of the sword on my head an making sure it's turning with me and not without me. I can actually get up to a pretty fast spin and then I start slowing down, eventually stopping with the sword stopping with me without using my hand. It's about practice and really feeling the sword up there.

If you start turning very quickly you can actually turn and the sword would stay without movement. I haven't really explored this but it would be cool to see I think.
Also after you stop spinning and let your sword keep going must look really good I just always thought it could easily fall off so I never tried it.

I usually balance the sword in my head not sideways like most dancers but the handle is in the back and the sword is straight across to the front. This actually makes it easier in a way because I can also see it and know what's heppening. It makes me feel so much more secure!

I agree about being able to feel the sword--they is key for spinning (and balance in general!). A heavier sword makes it harder to start a spin--you have to start slow or start it with a push--but I think it's easier to stop because of the weight pushing down, if you slow down gradually. If you rub a teeny bit of wax on the balance point, it won't slip on your head as easily, and may make it a little easier to stop it. I also use a stop where I raise one arm up behind and let the sword press into the arm to come to a stop (in orther words, not an abrupt stop, but a short deceleration.)

There are other options besides stopping the sword, too--from a full spin, you can lift the sword off and continue your turning, or use that as your ending to lift and pose.