Lightsaber combat/Legends

Jedi and Sith alike study various schools of Lightsaber combat technique. They are never mentioned in the Star Wars films (as of episodes I, II, IV, V, and VI being released), but they do exist in the films, the Expanded Universe, including many novels.

Form I: Shii-Cho
When lightsabers were introduced, there was a need to develop a system for their use. Thus, Form I, also called, "Way of the Sarlacc," was born, derived from traditional sword technique. It is a simple, stylistic form, meant to teach the principles of lightsaber combat through a study of older methods.

Form I, like its succeeding forms, includes the following basic techniques and concepts:
 * attack
 * parry
 * body target zones
 * training drills called velocities

Younglings, the Jedi initiate rank, first learn Form I before they begin a Padawan apprenticeship with a master. In Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, the Younglings can be seen being taught by Yoda to deflect light plasma shots.

Form II: Makashi
After Form I's proliferation as a saber combat technique, Form II, the, "Way of the Ysalamir," came about as a means of lightsaber-to-lightsaber combat. It is very refined, and employs subtle tactics that require much study to master. Blade manipulation is at its highest level.

In the time near the Clone Wars, the Jedi Order seldom practices this technique. There is so little lightsaber-to-lightsaber combat involved in a Jedi's life that Jedi Masters have found it impractical.

Darth Tyranus mastered Form II, and with it bested many Jedi whose own training, which included little lightsaber-to-lightsaber method, left them poorly prepared to face him.

Form III: Soresu
After Darth Maul's defeat on Naboo, Obi-Wan Kenobi decided to perfect his practice of Form III lightsaber combat, the most defensive of all of the forms, since it was apparent to Kenobi that Qui-Gon Jinn's defense was insufficient against the Sith techniques of Darth Maul.

Form III, the, "Way of the Mynock," was originally developed to counteract blaster technology, as the typical opponents of the Jedi came to wield blasters.

Laserbolt deflection training inspired the technique of Form III. It is very defensive; it has no aggressive qualities. Form III utilises motions occurring very close to the body to achieve a nearly total protection, and avoids large movements. By thus avoiding exposing much of the body to attack, the wielder is well defended. Obi Wan Kenobi was a master of Form III, which aided him in surviving the hazardous course of his life. It is interesting, in this light, that his death came in the form of a willing sacrifice.

Form IV: Ataro
The master practitioners of the, "Way of the Hawk-Bat," make extensive use of acrobatic maneuvers often thought not physically possible. Qui-Gon Jinn and Yoda were both masters of Form IV, as shown in their duels against Darth Maul and Count Dooku, respectively. Obi-Wan Kenobi, though already very advanced, abandoned his Ataro training in favor of Form III because he felt that his master's death demonstrated a fatal flaw of the Ataro form.

In dire situations, Form IV practitioners use the Force to aid in their acrobatics. Spinning, jumping and running very fast and very high, masters of Form IV are sometimes only seen as a blur. In order to achieve the acrobatic prowess, amazing reflexes and physical punch of this form, a Jedi Master would focus on the Force, letting it flow deeply throughout his entire physicality, allowing even the elderly and physically frail to perform astounding feats of agility.

Form V: Djem So
Form V is known for its power. Form III practicioners that preferred a more offensive angle and felt that the defensive nature of Form III only dangerously prolonged combat developed it. The maxim, "peace through superior strength," encompasses the philosophy of Form V, also called the "Way of the Krayt Dragon." Anakin and Luke Skywalker are both practitioners of Form V.

Form V maintains its existence through having sufficient defensive skills, as derived from Form III, but channeling defense into offense. The example is commonly used that while Form III combatants effortlessly deflect laser bolts, Form V practitioners excel at redirecting the laser bolt toward the opponent. This at the same time defends the user and efficiently injures the enemy.

Form VI: Lus-Ma
The, "Way of the Rancor," Form VI was the standard style at and around the time of the Clone Wars and the Great Jedi Purge. One can see this in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones when many of the saber-wielders on Geonosis are killed. In fact, though, all of the Jedi using Form VI were killed at the Battle of Geonosis.

Form VI attempts to balance all elements of lightsaber combat; Form VI is considered a combination of Form I, Form III, Form IV, and Form V. The result is that the users' skill in each individual area of lightsaber combat is only moderate. Form VI is much less intensely demanding than other forms of lightsaber combat; this makes Form VI much more of a style suited for diplomats; they can spend their time training in the areas of politics and negotiation instead of combat training.

Form VII: Juyo
Dubbed the, "Way of the Vornskr," Form VII was an incomplete form for millennia. Jedi Master Mace Windu, who could complete it with his “Vaapad” style, further developed it. The most challenging and demanding of all forms, Form VII requires extreme, intense focus, high levels of skill, and mastery of other forms. Only two Jedi have ever mastered Form VII fully, Mace Windu and Depa Billaba. One other Jedi, Sora Bulq, mastered its physical aspects but was overwhelmed by the required mental discipline.

Intrepid, somewhat direct movements are used in combination with very advanced techniques involving Force-powered jumps and motions. Form VII does not appear as "fancy" as Form IV, but the technical details of it use very open movements. It is quite unpredictable, whereas Form IV uses linked movements.

Form VII demands the emotional and physical intensity of Form V, but it much more effectively controls it (if mastered). It is considered an especially effective style.

"Form Zero"
This is not a form of lightsaber combat, per se, but rather is a doctrine that Jedi Masters included in their teaching. It reminds Jedi that before employing their weapons and fighting skills, they should examine if some nonviolent alternative is available. (For example, Jedi can often avoid a confrontation with a "Jedi mind trick.")

Maneuvers and marks of combat
All seven forms of lightsaber combat utilize these ancient terms used by the Jedi for describing the objectives, maneuver to use, and the various outcomes that could arise out of a fight involving lightsabers as weapons.

Cho mai
The term cho mai is used to describe the action of cutting off an opponent's weapon hand. This move shows that the Jedi using it has the honor to cause the opponent minimal physical damage; it also shows the skill and mastery of the Jedi performing the move to the opponent.

Cho mak
A cho mak is the act of cutting off an opponent's limb, such as a humanoid's leg.

Cho sun
The term cho sun is used to describe the move used to cut off an opponent's weapon arm.

Jung
A jung in lightsaber combat is a 180-degree turn.

Jung ma
The term jung ma is used to describe a maneuver used by Jedi to perform a 360-degree spin in which power is gained for an eminent attack on the opponent.

Kai-kan
The kai-kan is a re-enactment of a famous, usually ancient, very dangerous, lightsaber or even sword battle, which only very well trained Jedi attempt to perform.

Sai
A sai is the term used to describe the move used by Jedi to evade an attack directed at their legs. The Jedi jumps up with the Force as the main backbone of the strength, height, and speed at which the jump is executed.

Sai cha
The term sai cha is used to describe the rare instance when a Jedi beheads his or her opponent.

Sai tok
A sai tok, frowned upon by the Jedi because of its Sith-like nature, is the act of cutting an opponent in half, usually separating his or her legs from torso at the waist.

Shiak
The term shiak is used to describe the honorable action of stabbing an opponent.

Shiim
A shiim is a more minute, considered inferior, wound to an opponent by the edge of a lightsaber's blade. It is also considered a sign of desperation or struggle against a potent enemy.

Shun
The term shun is used for when a 360-degree turn is performed with just a one-handed grip, thus gaining speed for an attack.

Sun djem
A sun djem is a attack used by Jedi that disarms the weapon of an opponent, the objective usually being not to physically harm the opponent.