Pfft...
Whenever I fight my cousin with a sword, we use real broadswords. That or any kind of broomstick/whatnots we can find. If you make a new one, use photoshop or paint shop, and actually use sticks for reference. MAKE CONTACT. It doesn't have to be rediculously hard contact, just enough to make it look like you're battling and not actually swinging a stick around for some reason.
The effect I did sorta like was how you got your brother to float. I'm assuming you had him jump higher and higher, taking snapshots at the top of the jump?
It had potential, is all I'm saying.