Board Thread:Jobs Board/@comment-49.146.192.48-20131231074513/@comment-3250527-20131231085336

There were some demonstrations in Episode 1 with Illfang, but most of the context lies in the Alicization Arc (though there isn't much information on it). I'm not too sure on the details, but I'm pretty sure that if you break the trajectory of Skill in execution, the skill will be cancelled.

For example, if one uses an upward «Slant», one could break the trajectory with «Vertical» (as it is a downward strike). This will result in the cancellation of both attacks.

As for the example you stated, it would be incredibly hard to cancel a high-level Skill. In the Mother's Rosario arc, Asuna tried to break an 11-hit New ALO Sword Skill (which was unheard of, the strongest known at the time was an 8-hit combo), but was not able to succeed.

Usually, an action involving breaking the trajectory of the Skill or creating imbalance in the Skill's user will usually cancel their Sword Skill. This example is shown in Episode 1 when Illfang was using its 2nd «Tsujiguruma» (the anime messes up its first execution). That's when Kirito used «Sonic Leap» to intercept Illfang in midair and cancelled its skill. However, it's unheard of for a Sword Skill to be cancelled by a system-unassisted strike (of the weapon).

That being said, tripping the user will cancel the Sword Skill... in theory.

Edit: @C9: Don't do that. He's asking for a rational explanation. Telling him to put it off for later is quite rude :<