The Sabre in Wushu

Sabre is called the marshal of all weapons.

It is one of the most used weapons in Chinese Wushu. According to the shape and size, it is divided into short-hiked sabre, twin short-hilted sabre, sabre, nine-ring sabre (named as nine rings on the handle), broad sword, long-bladed short-hilted sabre and others.

Sabre play is vigorous and quick in defence and offence so it is likened to the "fierce tiger." The main techniques of sabre play include chopping, hacking, cutting, pricking, lifting, poking, winding, blocking, pushing, and knocking. When you have sabre practice, the cooperation between the sabre and the hands is very important and both hands must closely coordinate with each other, so as to maintain balance. Sabre play calls for rigorous training and constant practice. The sabre and the body must also be consistent. "Make sure that sabre is always around your body, and your hands, feet, shoulders, and arms turn together with the sabre."

The main routines of sabre play include Panlong (coil dragon), Bagua (eight-diagrams), Qinglong (green dragon), Miao Sabre, Nine-Ring Sabre, Liuhe (six-combination), Shaolin Twin sabres, Tai Chi, Yexing (night-travel), Meihua (plum blossom), Drunkard sabre and Monkey sabre. In addition, the combination of sabre with other weapons forms many more routines. For example, the play with sabre in one hand and staff in another is called "sabre play with staff," a favorite exercise for Wushu enthusiasts.

Sabre play demonstrates hardness and powerful-ness, but not always. In defence and dodging actions, suppleness is needed.