The Chinese saber, or Dao, is a single-edged long knife used for chopping and slashing. It is the weapon of the infantry, the foot soldier. For the Yang saber form, we use a saber with a rigid blade (for Chen saber, we use a flexible blade).
The form we learn at Master Gohring’s school is not the most common version; it’s a little faster, more martial and more dramatic than most other Yang saber forms I find on the Web.
Saber is one of the three forms required for the first degree black sash, so of course it will be part of the second degree test as well. The full playlist of demonstration and instructional videos can be found here:
The list of the movements below is somewhat sketchy. While some of the names seem to be real Chinese names, others are improvised descriptions. Also, the original form has been modified to accommodate space and timing issues.
- Step Up Seven Stars Left
- Step Up Seven Stars Right
- White Crane Spreads Wings
- Turn Around Hidden Knife
- White Crane Stands on One Leg
- Diagonal Push-Knife
- Lift Knife Left
- Lift Knife Right
- Straightforward Push-Knife
- Fair Lady Works the Shuttle
- Center Lift
- Middle Pull
- Horizontal Push-Knife
- Straightforward Push-Knife
- Turn Around Over the Head Hidden Knife
- Slice Up Left
- Slice Down Right
- Straightforward Push-Knife
- Turn Around Over the Head Hidden Knife
- Slice Up
- Slice Down
- Slice Up
- Golden Rooster Stands on Left Leg
- Double Jump Kick Hit the Tiger Form
- Turn Around White Crane Spreads Wings
- Heel Kick
- White Crane Spreads Wings
- Toe Kick
- Brush Knee Push
- Straightforward Push-Knife
- Turn Around Over the Head Hidden Knife
- Push Boat with Current (L, R, L)
- Turn Around Hidden Knife
- Slice Up
- Slice Down
- Slice Up
- Heel Kick Jump Step
- Use Strength to Axe Mountain
- Embrace Knife Stab and Kick
- Flip Over Change Step
- Use Strength to Axe Mountain
- Close Form
I haven’t found any one dominant Yang saber form. Here’s one interesting alternative, not too unlike ours:
Tai Chi Notebook 