To duck or not to duck...
Right now there are two people arguing through comments on one of my YouTube videos over ducking when performing a broadsword technique in which the blade is moved around the head (chum tao guor nou/wrapping the brain). They both are making valid arguments though I doubt either of them speak from experience when it comes to sword fighting on the battlefield... hell, I can’t even do that!
For the record, the traditional way is to not duck. Ducking lets the elbows bend too much which reduces stability and allows the guard to be collapsed (in this particular technique), it also has an effect on the balance as it forces the head forward and no longer over the spine, hips or feet for that matter. And as far as application goes, regardless of duck or not, if the blade is correctly positioned it will block, if it is not then you will get chopped either way.
I don’t usually get involved until someone gets out of hand, but I rather enjoy keyboard warriors as they bring a new perspective to things I never would have expected, like ducking or even my armpit hair.... yes, you read it right, my armpit hair incited a huge flame war on a video about double broadswords...