The room had continued to fill up, even as his lecture went on. He had never given a seminar with this many students at once, not even in his own classes with his own Padawans. The Battlemaster could admit to being a little nervous about a large crowd, but… It was just like when he was teaching his students, yes? No different… No problem. So with that, he would give a few moments for questions. After a pause, one came from [member="Sky'ito Yumi"]. You know, he could almost swear that person looked fairly different the last time he had seen them... Maybe it was the hair? Or maybe he was thinking of somebody else? No matter. He would lean in to hear their question.
"Master Dragon Flame, what are the arrangement for sparing? we will be paired with opponents or can we chose who we practice with"
"DragonsFlame" He corrected first up. Common mistake, no matter. "Either or. If you find someone you wish to pair with, feel free to buddy up. If you do not, then I will begin assigning you. Nobody will be left behind, I will either take a spot myself or bring in another Master to assist if need be. Do not worry a thing."
With that, the seminar could begin.
"The first form that I will be covering, is Form V" He would begin. Some people were rumbling about him not teaching Juno or Vaapad... But these forms were a fair bit too dangerous and potentially unstable to teach willy nilly. Not fit for a seminar about forms in general. "Also known as The Way Of the Krayt Dragon. This style combines the aspects of Form II and III, which we will learn more of shortly, into a general use sort of form. Form V is important because it is likely one of the forms that you will use the most. making it even more vital to learn if you have not already. For those already familiar with it... Refining it is all that much more important.
Form V is also more commonly used by larger Jedi, such as myself, due to the emphasis on pressure and power. Of course, this does not mean smaller Jedi may not use it... If it fits you, it fits you."
With that, it was time to get to the variants. Form V was probably one of the more complicated forms... It'd been suggested he do this one first, get it out of the way. But also because it was better to start with a more general use form before going into specialties.
"There are two sides to this form. While you may rotate as you wish, some Jedi choose to specialize in a specific variant. The first one we will be covering is Shien. This is form places more emphasis on defense, but without sacrificing your ability to use counterattacks."
With that, he would draw his blade. The lightsaber shining a brilliant blue, and it would hum as he would move it into position.
"So let me try and keep this plain and simple... With this variant of the form, you will most commonly be using it when you are on the defensive. Especially against multiple opponents. But you will mainly be using it for two reasons - to counter blaster fire and when you are being pushed in a duel with a melee opponent."
Holding out a hand to activate a mechanism he'd had prepared before the lesson, a holographic projection of a fighter would appear next to him, drawing a lightsaber. Nearby, small turrets would pop up as well.
"This variant is about timing" He would explain. "Whether it is deflecting blaster-fire, or blocking a melee weapon... Block and search for a counterattack. As so."
The holographic entity would attack, as would the turrets as they would open fire on him. Keeping his saber raised high, Josh would deflect one blaster bolt after the other, with the bolts disappearing soon after he deflected them without harming anyone. It appeared they were holographic as well. He would move to deflect blows from the opponent as well, keeping his saber raised high in order to better prepare for both threats. But as soon as the opponent's guard shifted even a little, Josh would strike, thwacking the blunt of the saber against it's torso and doubling it over before stabbing through the torso. Quickly, he would free up a hand and toss it's "body" at one of the turrets, causing the bolts to riddle it instead and free up Josh to toss his lightsaber, maneuvering it with the Force in order to destroy one of the holographic turrets, and then moving his hand to the side to cause it to stab into the next before the "body" would stop shielding him.
With that, the holograms would disappear, and Josh would give a bow as he would deactivate his lightsaber and turn back to the class.
"Timing. Is. Everything. Use your defense to open up an opportunity to counterattack when you find a vulnerability. Remember that Soresu users only attack when necessary, and when an opportunity arises.
Now pair up. I want you to try and apply what you have seen against one another. Balance your offense and defense, striking when it is valid, and defending while you look for said vulnerability if it is not. Remember the stance I took, and the motions I used while defending... Make them your own. Every Jedi has their own style."
On an interesting note... Those weren't the only holographic turrets set up to be deployed. He had made sure there were more to appear in the room, one for each pair... But they wouldn't know that until he activated for them to turn up. He wasn't going to tell them... Yet. Luckily the bolts were fake, they wouldn't harm anyone. He'd made sure to take every precaution he could, and had spent quite a bit of time setting this room up before the seminar.
[member="Asaraa Vaashe"] [member="Charlie"] [member="Narcissa Tallhart"] [member="Sky'ito Yumi"] [member="Kyoko Ike"] [member="Aubrey King"] [member="Kurenai Yumi"]
