So, I decided to explore the world of “dueling academies”, aka The Saber League, in the great state of Kentucky. I started with the E-town chapter. I think the worse aspect for me was the people who participate. Lots of them are on the spectrum really hard and have serious mental problems. Did I mention hygiene? The smell is atrocious. A lot of them have rotten teeth or no teeth at all and you can feel that criminal/felon vibes from many of them. These dueling academies don't have a filtration system at all and no defined leadership. Anyone with some goodwill hockey gear and a warm body can show up and participate. That means former and current criminals. Did I mention the head of the Bowling Green chapter is a felon? Not a single person I came into contact with had any martial arts experience at all. Everyone was just randomly flailing about trying to touch the other person with their plastic stick. I have 30+ years of Martial Arts experience so, I decided to offer a little friendly help. Boy, was that a mistake. I was met with aggression and serious rejection. You would have thought I just peed in their Cheerios. I quickly sat back down and “minded my own business” as I was told. I have also yet to find a “dueling” academy that sticks with whatever universe they are trying to mimic or portray. The Saber Legion is just HEMA with glow sticks for the severely autistic. The glow sticks have even drifted away from Star Wars style and become their own Saber Legion style standard. So, what is The Saber Legion, not Star Wars at all. What is Ludosport? Not Star Wars. It's so confusing. I hope we get or can create something that maintains the integrity of the Star Wars universe that attracts law abiding citizens with a skill for taking care of their personal hygiene. It’s Kentucky after all, what did I expect?

Lightsaber “dueling” Groups