When I said some experience, I truly meant some. My 5 &1/2 years practicing karate provided me the opportunity to observe the black belts using weapons such has the staff and nunchaku. Oceanmaster's usage of both slashing and thrusting techniques with the trident, matches what I had observed the black belts doing. I appreciate this for how it, in my eyes, prevents the fight appearing like children using pool noodles. His attempt to target not just aquaman's head and lower legs, was great for cinematic purposes as it prevents the fight from seeming repetitive and boring, but also shows that Ocean master is at least knows basics, in that there or more vulnerable parts of the body one should target. The fluidity in how Oceanmaster switched from targeting one leg to the other, is something my senpais, and others, would always encourage.
Personally, I did not have much practice with staff or stick fighting until I joined a Filipino cultural group for just over a year that, among other things, introduced people to FMA (Filipino Martial Arts), which includes, stick fighting (such as you see during Arrow, particularly the earlier seasons, in his sparring sessions with Diggle and Sara Lance), "dirty boxing/street fighting" (jabs, crosses, etc., but with elbows, and open hand strikes and more), then dumog (basically filipino wrestling). Fluidity is a key part of all aspects of FMA, which was emphasized repeatedly by my teacher.
It is not so well known, but FMA is not restricted the short stick , but other weapons as well. The relevance here being that Oceanmaster's grip (both hands on the lower end of the trident) seemed similar to what I had seen during my time learning FMA. Of course, it is very likely that the choreography was using Bo staff techniques, primarily found in the more easily recognized Chinese kung fu. I have been told that there similarities although I have not practiced it myself. It must also be noted that Oceanmaster's foot work (the little seen when they were not "flying" around) was good in that it allowed him to strike quickly but still not sacrifice his balance. The specific moment when steps back dodge Aquaman's was good, because inexperienced fighters may only attempt to move their upper body, which sacrifices balance and stability. His next move, to spin and strike at Aquaman's leg demonstrates that he is capable of calmly gauging the distance between his opponent and himself, demonstrating his experience as a fighter, and the fluidity from his transition from dodging an attack and then instantly attacking is something I wish I had in real life.
As for Aquaman... I have never claimed to be an expert, but I will rarely attempt to hold the long weapon the way he is holding the trident - slashing and thrusting with one arm -> I'v been disarmed too many times to think that it's a good idea to do so. Perhaps it is because of my inexperience that I don't like how Aquaman blocks Oceanmasters strike, with only one hand on his trident. I don't know how he could stop the force generated by Oceanmaster's swing, and after that, it would be easier for his opponent to disarm Aquaman.
PS: didn't want to make a blanket statement so... it would be more accurate to say that there are potentially hundreds of styles of FMA, some utilizing more weapons such as the long staff and the tabak-toyok (Filipino nunchaku, apparently taught to Bruce Lee by Dan Inosanto)
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