Hi to all.
I have just watched the "Intermediate_Form_Chucks___Larry" video from your site. I see that the person in the video wears a green belt, which (from your post above) is around half-way through the grades for your club/style/whatever. May I just ask (before I start my notes on the "nunchuk form" itself): how long has this person been using the weapon? You will see by my notes below why I ask this.
Now for the main review/rant - in any order, but in note form.
A) Mainly the right hand was used for most of the "form". I know that not many people are ambidextrous, but I also know that you should train to use the weapon as well as possible with both hands. If you are right-handed, you should make more of an effort to practice with your left until you get to the stage that you dont have a "weaker hand".
B) The demonstrator's hands were too close to the kusari (holding the weapon in the jokon-bu area). You will find that it is a lot easier to use the weapon when you hold it in the chukon-bu or kikon-bu. From these areas, you dont need as much strength to move the weapon, and it will flow a lot easier (simple physics about torque/moments).
C) No proper stances. I know the video doesnt show the lower leg or foot positions, but it appears as though it is mainly shuffling on the spot (is he trying the dirk-dance while using them? Or tap-dancing?). The weapons techniques share some stances with Okinawan Karate (similar stances in most JMA I believe), and with that particular weapon Zen-kutso Datchi (forward stance) and Ko-kutso Datchi (back stance) are pretty common.
D) The "lower" techniques. Have you (or the demonstrator) tried these with wooden versions of the weapon used? If you have, are you still fertile? One slip with the "lower" techniques (2mm movement in the wrist) could mean a slight pain in the genitals as the wooden handle connects with your genitals. Yes, it is a good technique for showing control, but maybe it should be in an "Advanced form" instead of intermediate? Some people think that Intermediate is the stage where a practitioner stops clouting themselves across the head. If this is like your style/club/whatever, I suggest you take the advice I have just given you.
E) Erm, where were the blocks?
F) At the end, the practitioner is seen taking a deep breath as he steps back to a formal stance (for his bow). This (to me) shows that he cant control his breathing much during the form. He is putting so much effort into the techniques (which may be due to his grip (mentioned above)), that he needs to take a deep breath at the end. He could at least wait until he has bowed out at the end of the form.
G) All of the stuff in that form was "flashy" stuff! The only ways you could have made it any less "street practical" would be to throw in some flying kicks and use them "weapons" with the LEDs in them! Unless, of course, you are intending on putting any attackers in fits of laughter and running away while they roll on the floor laughing at you.
H) I have kept this one until the end, because it is one of the things that gets me reet annoyed...
it's NUNCHAKU not "nunchuks", "numbchuka" or any variation of them!
