Twin Sabers - Seung Dao

Twin Sabers - Seung Dao - 雙刀

This page has a collection of videos that I released on YouTube specifically about the kung fu Twin Sabers or Seung Dao, which is one of my favorite weapons taught in the Choy Li Fut System. The topics of the videos range from history and introduction to the weapon, to fundamental techniques, ambidexterity training, sword spinning or flowering, and tactics and combinations for sparring and combat. The order of the videos is suggested but not mandatory and you are welcome to skip from one topic to the next depending on your interest in seung dao techniques.

*Note: Private videos are on a release schedule and will be automatically viewable once they are available on YouTube.

Page Section Order

Introduction and Essentials
Techniques - Cuts - Training
Sword Spinning - Flowering
Combinations and Patterns
Forms Demonstrations

In this video, we will be talking about Seung Dao (Shuang Dao) or Chinese Double Broadswords, their origin, use, principles, tactics, design aspects of the Late Ming, Early Qing Dynasty versions as well as their prominence in martial arts history.

Wrapping the Head

Wrapping the Head is an essential Chinese Martial Arts Sword technique of passing the blade from one side of the boy, behind the head, across the body, and to the other side. The most common way of Wrapping the Head is to touch the spine of the swords to your back as they pass, without ducking under the blade. However, we will also look at another method of employing an Umbrella Block to wrap the head without contact. If you are serious about learning Seung Dao, then you must be fluent in both of these methods.

Personally, I think this is the very first thing you should learn when it comes to using kung fu twin sabers as many techniques can be delivered into and out of wrapping the head. Take the time to work on this and make it smooth and effortless to really elevate you kung fu and seung dao skill!

Techniques - Cuts - Training

This section places a focus on fundamental cuts, techniques, and development of ambidexterity and spacial awareness when dual wielding. Some lessons are specific technique development while others are conceptual and principle based. However, this is an important place to begin your training in dual wielding before adding more complicated movements and combinations to your skill set.

Single Sword Techniques - Spacial Awareness and Dual Weapon Management

In this lesson, we will focus on using single cutting techniques around the other blade in either a vertical or horizontal position. This is very important in familiarizing yourself with the pairing of weapons so you do not get tangled on your own swords and have a good sense of technique availability from various positions. For the sake of training we will not be assigning a particular context (attack/defense) for the front hand blade, but simply keeping it in a static position. This type of lesson should be practiced a couple of times and then you can move on to more intricate and practical techniques that are directly applicable to sparring or fighting contexts.

Simultaneous Cuts

This Lesson will focus on a simultaneous double horizontal cut with a high, medium, and low attack target. There are two goals for this lesson, the first is to develop familiarity with attacking at different levels (low/med/high) with the same technique demonstrating versatility. The second goal is practicing simultaneous cuts, in this case double horizontal which attack both above and below, creating a difficult technique to counter. Typically only one of the two will be blocked or parried while the other strikes.

Block and Attack Techniques

In this lesson, we will explore various techniques from a single starting block, an upward block. Not only will we follow the block with various countering techniques, but will also change the timing of the technique delivery in three phases:
1) Defined Block, then Strike.
2) Combination timing block-strike.
3) Simultaneous block and strike.

Techniques from Wrapping the Head

In this lesson we will be focusing on different techniques deployed from wrapping the head. Rather than passing both blades around the head, we will be passing only one, then immediately after, following with an upward block and finally advancing with our attack. This is a great way to tie in previous lessons from single attacks, to blocking and attacking, and now wrapping the head. Take your time and work on both your right and left sides with these techniques to truly develop your ambidexterity.

Sword Spinning - Flowering Techniques

Sword Spinning or Flowering is an essential form of training for twin sabers. The movements increase mobility of the joints, grip, wrist, and forearm strength, and the complicated movements develop coordination and ambidexterity. Beyond training the body, flowering can be applied in combat for recovering a missed or deflected attack, or from an attempted disarm, and returning the blade to a ready position. Pieces of the overall flowering movement can be used in combination cutting, or parry/deflect and counter techniques. However, it is first important to develop the skill of sword spinning as a prerequisite before isolating and analyzing the practical elements in partner/opponent interaction.

Double Upward Flower

In this lesson we will be doing a fancy sword spinning or 'flowering' technique to swing both blades upward continuously in a double figure eight pattern. This instructional video covers all levels for learning this technique so use the time coded chapters to start at the right place for you.

Double Downward Flower

This lesson will teach you how to perform a very fancy sword spinning or flowering technique in which both blades circle in a three beat pattern traversing to either side of the body continuously. Not only is the downward flower a beautiful technique for sword spinning performance, but it is also a very important form of training for using double swords to develop the proper muscle and grip strength as well as wrist, elbow, and shoulder joint flexibility and mobility. Finally, the three beats can be used as three cutting techniques for an endless flowing combination.

Double Reverse Flower

In this lesson, we will be breaking down the advanced sword spinning or flowering technique - Double Reverse Flower. This is a very intricate technique which involves both right and left hands moving the swords in different paths at the same time. It is important to take your time when learning this technique, starting from the basics of the single hand reverse flower with both the right and left hand before attempting to perform the full simultaneous technique. After you get the basics, all you need is a good starting position!

Front Flower

This video explains a very useful sword spinning or flowering technique, spinning the blades in front of the body allowing them to move from side to side. We will not only look at how to do the spinning technique, but also look at different ending positions, whether to place the blade securely to the side, provide an angled barrier or guard position, or even use it for a cutting combination. The front flower is extremely important not only for positioning and coordination, but as a key element of other advanced flowering techniques.

Combinations - Patterns

These combinations and patterns are more advanced and can help elevate your skill to give you a better understanding of how techniques can be linked together. As you develop a better understanding of the different ways to combine movements, flowering, and techniques you can begin to develop your own training routine or even form. The following can be the stepping stones to your own creation!

Consecutive Striking

In this lesson, we explore various combinations using the same strike consecutively with different types of footwork. These are the most practical techniques to use as they can easily be deployed without extra focus or concentration required. Once we begin to introduce different timing of footwork and cuts, as well as different footwork placement and blade end positions, there are near endless variables to practice, so take your time and explore as much as possible to truly understand this weapon pairing.

Wrapping the Head Combinations

In this lesson we will be Wrapping the Head with both blades and cutting in between each wrap for two very intricate and advanced techniques!

Combination - Upward Slice to Double Chop

This combination involves spinning and timing the swords correctly to complete the technique. The best way to approach it is to work on each piece individually and then string them together so you can focus on proper timing. If you can keep the timing of your hands and feet consistent you will learn to keep the correct pace and can keep it clean at any speed.

Combination - Flower to Side Chop

This is an advanced combination that involves a downward spinning technique, then a double wrapping the head technique (while spinning) into the final side chop technique. It is best to take your time and go through things step by step before attempting to string it all together.

Combination - Wrapping the Head Like Crazy!

This is a pretty intense combination as it involves a lot of "wrapping the head" techniques with jumping and spinning... The best way to approach this is to work on it one step at a time, and get the individual techniques down before stringing things together.

Choy Li Fut Footwork Pattern with Seung Dao

Let's put our Seung Dao Techniques together into a short pattern based on Choy Li fut footwork and stepping. I've also included the video that isolates the footwork so you can learn that before adding two swords into the mix!

Choy Li Fut Forms Demonstrations

Here are demonstration videos of select Choy Li Fut Forms. The forms have been edited and are not shown in their entirety so they should not be used for learning purposes. It is important to view them as examples and identify techniques that you have learned from this program, but not as a substitute for detailed in-person instruction.

Choy Li Fut - Sup Ji Mui Fa Seung Dao (Hung Sing Lineage)

This form comes from the Hung Sing Lineage as taught by Lau Bun. The name Sup Ji Mui Fa Seung Dao means Cross Pattern Plum Blossom Twin Sabers, with cross pattern in reference to the form traveling in four directions, and Plum Blossom in reference to the flowering techniques and as well the symbol of China. I find this form to be the most comprehensive of Seung Dao forms as it includes practical techniques and combinations and fancy flowering and athletic techniques for not only an aesthetically pleasing form to watch, but a functional form to train combative techniques.

Choy Li Fut - Siu Mui Fa Seung Dao (King Mui Lineage)

This form comes from the King Mui lineage which is the founder's village in King Mui, China. The name Siu Mui Fa Seung Dao means Small Plum Blossom Twin Sabers, and it references the length of the form as it is shorter when compared to other twin saber forms, and plum blossom referring again tot he many flowering techniques and as a symbol of China. This form does not have the vast variety of techniques that the Hung Sing form contains, but it has more complex flowering and cutting combinations. This form is an excellent demonstration form, and yet still a very useful training form for overall athleticism and ambidexterity.

Choy Li Fut Seung Dao vs Spear Demonstration

One of the most overlooked elements of Chinese martial arts is Two Person Forms. This gives the practitioner an understanding of combat distance and timing in a safe and controlled continuous drill. Many people only look at the performance aspect of two person forms, but there is a lot more to it than just a fancy demo. Each technique can be broken down and trained in a drill which can be modified and varied based on starting position, technique initiation and reaction timing. However, another way you can train and develop your understanding of the techniques is to start by identifying the techniques you know in the form, then analyze the interaction with the spear and how the technique could be successfully applied.