This Move is Ridiculous... Here's What Works! (Movie Sword Fights)

You know the trope: A badass main character fighting hordes of enemies, casually stabbing whoever is trying to attack from behind, without even looking. All fine and dandy when you're protected by plot armor, and the goons are dumber than a bag of bricks. But really rather silly...

For a more realistic approach to swordsmanship that can still look cinematic, let's take a look at the problems with this "tactic" and what would be much more useful techniques to use. If you like your fantasy to make just a little more practical sense, you might enjoy this. :)

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“Gambit” by Alexandr Zhelanov
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Outro:
"Highland Storm" by The Slanted Room Records
Used with artist's permission

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#skallagrim #fantasy #movie #sword #tropes #swordfighting #cinematic #rpg

[jessewaidler]

Can we just appreciate how despite everything that people deal with in their normal lives that we don't see on their YouTube channel, never mind the added stress in a relationship that being a public figure adds, these two have stayed together for all of these years. Great job you two. It's inspiring

[ANukeWithLegs]

Skall is a real winner.
Having a gf/wife who shares your hobbies and is passionate about it is a true win

[mysticmarbles]

You left out the worst part about this technique (but Kara hinted at it). It doesn’t actually stop their attack. Even if you manage to hit them you are still going to get your skull cleaved in half. The attacker always magically freezes when they get stabbed in movies. Almost like they were expecting it and not fully committed to moving forward and cutting.

[edgarburlyman]

Just do the basics so efficiently you make them look cool!

[Blockio]

Funnily enough, there is one technique in iaido that does use the reach across and stab behind technique, albeit for an extremely niche situation: When you are being ambushed while sitting down and don't have time to turn around in full. Not the same as discussed here, but it does exist in some degree of real world application

[Godzillawolf]

The one time I've seen the 'no look back stab' work really well is in Star Wars Clone Wars when Sidious kills Savage Opress with a double one. And the reason it worked is...well, Sidious was basically going for style points. He knew that Savage didn't stand a chance and wanted to show off, while also letting him look at Maul watch his brother die. But key there is he wasn't actually trying.

However, I have seen it done more practically when they're in a grapple and the person does have the opponent's arm restrained, but isn't in a good position to counter, but that's a very different situation.

[lemoncandy]

The sword throw is arguably more practical than the no look back stab. At least you can potentially attack your opponent at a distance by yeeting the thing. You might even get the element of surprise by throwing the sword because it’s such an incredibly risky almost stupid move.

[Plea_V]

Okay but what about the advanced version of this technique where instead of just stabbing behind you, you stab through your own abdomen to impale the opponent behind you a la Yoshimitsu in Tekken.

[pRahvi]

I love this. The humour, the actual practicality, the two of you doing this together...

[mattw]

I detected a certain amount joy when she was standing behind chopping at his head. Kind of a "I love this part!" Vibe. :D

[jasondoe]

My first time ever seeing Cara with long hair — looks great!

[TheShadowHatter]

Man I always love this dude's channel. I may not watch every single video, but the ones I do are always aces. This is the guy I'm looking for during a zombie apocalypse to ensure my survival lol.

[arthurweiss]

"Nobody needs this because it's dumb": Truly a powerful statement nowadays lol

[mornemauvais]

Loved the editing and lighting on this one skall! Also you seem energetic and more like the fun dude I remember, great video!

[johnedgar]

Great point, Skal. Every time I see that in a movie, it makes it hard to "suspend disbelief" and I'm not even a martial artist. I have zero training in mano a mano combat. Yet even I can tell that this move looks ridiculous. Also, shout out to your lovely wife for helping out with this video!

[mx]

I think the message the filmmaker is trying to convey with the move is that the attacker is trying to sneak attack in a nervous incompetent fashion. While the protagonist that's good enough to fight 100 people alone is so good that she notice the attacker even if he's sneaking.
It's always in scenes used to showcase the protagonist as superhuman and also always in fights where the protagonist is fighting a lot of enemies at the same time.
(which is equally unrealistic)

[dirtpoorchris]

1:42 I like that! For someone that blocks and attacks with their elbows alot I see the potential... (but much rather have the length advantage of normal sword holding)

[kungfutuber]

Great demonstration, Skall! ⚔ I agree, stabbing behind is far less effective (and safe) than turning to face your opponent. The sword over shoulder is ok but really a last resort as a block when you can see your opponent and they're off to the side - maybe not with the sword as close to the body either to minimise the chance of impact. Anyway I digress... great content as always! 👍

[Umbra_Nocturnus]

You just gotta do it like Yoshimitsu, obviously. Do a combo until you're belly to belly with your opponent, then spin and stab backwards. You'll look so cool helicoptering away with your katana, too.

[thedatatreader]

This was my reaction to seeing that exact move in a TV show recently. It just looks so cheesy and out of place, yet directors seem obsessed with adding it in like they did with the dreaded machine gun drilling through the floor move in Underworld.