Lightsaber Combat is the fictional style of lightsaber fighting used by Jedi and Sith in the Star Wars franchise. They are never mentioned directly in the released Star Wars films, but the details of the saber styles are explored in expanded universe sources such as the novels, magazines, the Star Wars Role-playing Game and "Visual Dictionaries." The Three Graces, here in a painting by Sandro Botticelli, were the goddesses of charm, beauty, nature, human creativity and fertility in Greek mythology. ... The fictional Star Wars universe features an intricate array of different weapons, whose uses and powers range from interpersonal combat to destroying entire space stations or even planets and solar systems in single sweeps. ... This article or section should include material from Jedi Sentinel —The Jedi Code — Obi-Wan Kenobi The Jedi Knights are a fictional brotherhood and organization from the Star Wars series of films by George Lucas. ... —The Sith Code In the fictional Star Wars universe, the Sith were a humanoid race who were enslaved by a group of warrior priests who follow the dark side of the Force and serve as the evil counterparts to the Jedi. ... The DVD cover of the Star Wars trilogy. ... Meanings of franchise: Full rights of citizenship given by a country or a town, especially suffrage (political franchise) In a wider sense: any right or privilege granted by constitution or statute. ... The Expanded Universe (or EU for short) is a collection of fictional background material from the Star Wars universe that is derived from official novels, comic books, and various other media besides the movies themselves. ... A novel is an extended work of written, narrative, prose fiction, usually in story form; the writer of a novel is a novelist. ...

The stage combat used in the films are a combination of Kendo, Samurai, and Western sword work such as Fencing. The naming of the different forms of combat after animals is common in Chinese martial arts, as the moves in the form are said to mimic the animal in question. Stage Combat is the practice of creating the illusion of physical combat for plays, theater, or film. ... Kendō (剣道, 劍道) is the martial art of Japanese swordsmanship, developed in the 16th century to unify a large number of different techniques. ... Japanese samurai in armour, 1860 photograph. ... Russian Ivan Tourchine and American Weston Kelsey fence in the second round of the Olympic Mens Individual Epee event at the Helliniko Fencing Hall on Aug. ... Chinese martial arts, often abbreviated as CMA, refers to the enormous variety of martial art styles native to China. ...

The seven forms of lightsaber combat

Each Jedi chooses the style of lightsaber combat which best suits him/her/it. For example, Master Yoda uses the Ataru form to compensate for his lack of reach and height and Mace Windu uses Vaapad to tap into his anger and employ it constructively (albeit without giving himself over to the dark side). Count Dooku's practice of the Makashi form fits first of all his intention to frequently engage in lightsaber-to-lightsaber combat and second his emphasis on class and elegance as well as precision. Yoda is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe. ... Samuel L. Jackson as Mace Windu. ... Count Dooku (102 - 19 BBY) is a fictional character from the Star Wars universe. ...

Form I: Shii-Cho

As the weapons technology of the lightsaber was developed, the need for a form of combat arose. Thus Form I, also called "Way of the Sarlacc," was born. Ancient sword-fighting traditions held key principles of blade combat that were implemented by early Jedi Masters in the rather basic technical tactics of Form I. The fictional Star Wars universe features an intricate array of different weapons, whose uses and powers range from interpersonal combat to destroying entire space stations or even planets and solar systems in single sweeps. ... A sword (from Old English sweord; akin to Old High German swerd lit. ... This article or section should include material from Jedi Sentinel —The Jedi Code — Obi-Wan Kenobi The Jedi Knights are a fictional brotherhood and organization from the Star Wars series of films by George Lucas. ...

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. In military science, an attack is the aggressive attempt to conquer enemy territory, installations, personnel, or equipment or to deny the enemy the use of territory, installations, personnel, or equipment, for example by destroying the equipment. ... This article is about the manoeuvre known as Parry in fencing. ... This article or section should include material from Jedi Sentinel —The Jedi Code — Obi-Wan Kenobi The Jedi Knights are a fictional brotherhood and organization from the Star Wars series of films by George Lucas. ... This article or section should include material from Jedi Sentinel —The Jedi Code — Obi-Wan Kenobi The Jedi Knights are a fictional brotherhood and organization from the Star Wars series of films by George Lucas. ... The Jedi Knights are a fictional monastic organization from the Star Wars series of films by George Lucas. ... Film poster for Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002) is the fifth Star Wars science fiction movie released and the second part of the prequel trilogy which began with Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. ... Yoda is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe. ...

The only known practitioner of Form I is Kit Fisto Kit Fisto is a fictional character from the Star Wars universe. ...

Form II: Makashi

After Form I's proliferation as a saber combat technique, Form II or "Way of the Ysalamiri," came about as a means of lightsaber-to-lightsaber combat. It is described as being very elegant, powerful, and requiring extreme precision. The blade manipulation required for this form is very refined and requires much focus, but the results are extremely powerful.

In the time near the Clone Wars, the Jedi Order seldom practices this technique. There is, if at all, so little lightsaber-to-lightsaber combat involved in a Jedi's life that Jedi Masters have found it impractical. The Clone Wars (22 - 19 BBY) is a fictional conflict described in the Star Wars series and featured in the two latter episodes of the prequel trilogy, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. ...

Darth Tyranus, from Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, has mastered Form II to the highest degree, fighting with the precision built into the ancient technique. When he wields this Form it devastates the Jedi; the system of Jedi training at the time of confrontation between Darth Tyranus and other Jedi does not prepare the Jedi for the precise movements of a form bred for lightsaber dueling. Count Dooku (102 - 19 BBY) is a fictional character from the Star Wars universe. ... Film poster for Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002) is the fifth Star Wars science fiction movie released and the second part of the prequel trilogy which began with Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. ...

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 Qui-Gon Jinn, Kenobi's master and Form IV practitioner, fell against Darth Maul. - Darth Maul Darth Maul is a character from the fictional Star Wars universe. ... Naboo is a planet in the fictional Star Wars universe. ... General Obi-Wan Ben Kenobi (57 - 0 BBY) was a Jedi Master, of legendary status, in the fictional Star Wars universe. ... Qui-Gon Jinn (92 BBY - 32 BBY) was a Jedi Master and Master of Obi-Wan Kenobi in the fictional Star Wars universe. ...

Form III, the "Way of the Mynock," was originally developed to counteract the advancing blaster technology throughout the galaxy. Those to whom the Jedi were mainly opposed usually wielded blasters now; the Jedi needed to find a method to defend that could not be replicated or be counteracted by the Jedi's blaster-wielding enemies.

The need to deflect Blaster bolts inspired the technique in Form III. It is very defensive; utilising motions occurring very close to the body to achieve a nearly total protection, efficiently expending as little energy as possible to execute those moves. This technique exposes as little body target zone open areas as is possible, making a well-trained practitioner nearly invincible. Practioners of Soresu comfortably remain on the defensive until their opponents tire or make a mistake, only then do they strike offensively. Testimony to this is the fact that Kenobi, a Form III master, only falls when he chooses to let Darth Vader kill him. One could still argue that he is invincible as he re-appears later in the series as a Jedi Spirit. Darth Vader (41 BBY - 4 ABY; became Darth Vader in 19 BBY), is a fictional character and villain from the Star Wars movies. ...

Form IV: Ataru

The master practitioners of the "Way of the Hawk-Bat," make extensive use of acrobatic manoeuvres 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 Ataru training in favour of Form III because he felt that his master's death demonstrated a fatal flaw in this form. Qui-Gon Jinn (92 BBY - 32 BBY) was a Jedi Master and Master of Obi-Wan Kenobi in the fictional Star Wars universe. ... Yoda is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe. ... - Darth Maul Darth Maul is a character from the fictional Star Wars universe. ... Count Dooku (102 - 19 BBY) is a fictional character from the Star Wars universe. ... General Obi-Wan Ben Kenobi (57 - 0 BBY) was a Jedi Master, of legendary status, in the fictional Star Wars universe. ...

In dire situations, Form IV practitioner 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, even allowing him to overcome the limitations of old age. The Force in George Lucas Star Wars films is a (fictional) mystical power which is the object of the Jedi and Sith monastic orders. ... This article or section should include material from Jedi Sentinel —The Jedi Code — Obi-Wan Kenobi The Jedi Knights are a fictional brotherhood and organization from the Star Wars series of films by George Lucas. ...

Form V: Shien / Djem So

Form V is a powerful style developed by Form III practitioners that preferred a more offensive angle. The defensive nature of Form III dangerously prolonged combat. The maxim "peace through superior firepower," 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 channelling defence into offence. 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 simultaneously defends the user and efficiently injures the opponent.

Form VI: Niman

The "Way of the Rancor," Form VI was the standard style at and around the time period of the Clone Wars and the Great Jedi Purge. This combat discipline is often called the "Diplomat's Form." One can see this in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones when many of the saber-wielders on Geonosis are killed. In fact, all of the Jedi using Form VI were killed at the Battle of Geonosis. The Clone Wars (22 - 19 BBY) is a fictional conflict described in the Star Wars series and featured in the two latter episodes of the prequel trilogy, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. ... The Great Jedi Purge was a conflict in the fictional Star Wars universe, and was the beginning of the Galactic Civil War. ... Film poster for Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002) is the fifth Star Wars science fiction movie released and the second part of the prequel trilogy which began with Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. ... The Battle of Geonosis is a battle which occurred in the fictional Star Wars universe between the Confederacy of Independent Systems and the Galactic Republic. ...

Form VI attempts to balance all elements of lightsaber combat, combining the Forms that came before into a less intensely demanding combat style. The result is that the users' skill in each individual area of lightsaber combat is only moderate, making Form VI well suited for diplomats, as they can spend their time training in the areas of politics and negotiation instead of combat training.

Form VII: Juyo / Vaapad

Dubbed the "Way of the Vornskr," Form VII was an incomplete form for millennia. It was further developed by Jedi Master Mace Windu, who could complete it with his "Vaapad" style. 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. This article or section should include material from Jedi Sentinel —The Jedi Code — Obi-Wan Kenobi The Jedi Knights are a fictional brotherhood and organization from the Star Wars series of films by George Lucas. ... Samuel L. Jackson as Mace Windu. ... Samuel L. Jackson as Mace Windu. ... A character in Star Wars, Depa Billaba is the padawan of Jedi Master Mace Windu. ... Minor Jedi characters in Star Wars Minor Rebel characters in Star Wars Minor droids in Star Wars Minor bounty hunters in Star Wars Minor villians in Star Wars Minor residents of Tatooine Miscellaneous minor characters in Star Wars This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages...

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 resulting in a very unpredictable battle style.

Form VII demands the emotional and physical intensity of Form V, but it much more effectively controls it (if mastered). Form VII, when fully mastered, results in extraordinary power.

However, as Mace Windu remarks in Episode III, Vaapad borders on the edge of falling to the dark side; it is only his mastery and concentration of the light that prevent him from succumbing, which is why Vaapad is rarely practiced and very dangerous. The two other known practitioners of the form- Sora Bulq and Depa Billaba- both fell to the dark side of the force.

Form "Zero"

Not an actual form of lightsaber combat per se, Form Zero is the idea that a Jedi should know when to use their lightsaber and when to find another means to solve a problem. This was defined by Master Yoda to address the need of the Jedi to restrain themselves when tempted to use "Aggressive Negotiations," and instead use another well-developed Jedi skill, such as the Jedi Mind Trick. Yoda is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe. ...

Maneuvers and Marks of Combat

All seven forms of lightsaber combat utilize these ancient terms used by the Jedi for describing the objectives, manoeuvre to use, and the various outcomes that could arise out of a fight involving lightsabers as weapons. Also listed is the term used to describe a re-enactment of a sword/lightsaber battle. This article or section should include material from Jedi Sentinel —The Jedi Code — Obi-Wan Kenobi The Jedi Knights are a fictional brotherhood and organization from the Star Wars series of films by George Lucas. ... A fight is an act to establish dominance over an opposition by causing harm by physical or mental damage. ... The fictional Star Wars universe features an intricate array of different weapons, whose uses and powers range from interpersonal combat to destroying entire space stations or even planets and solar systems in single sweeps. ... A weapon is a tool used to kill or incapacitate a person or animal, or destroy a military target. ...

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 honour to cause the opponent minimal physical damage; it also shows the skill and mastery of the Jedi performing the move to the opponent. Alternate meanings: Hand (disambiguation) A human left hand The hand (med. ...

Cho mak

A cho mak is the act of cutting off an opponent's limb, such as a humanoid's leg. A limb (from the Old English lim) is a jointed appendage of the human or animal body; a large or main branch of a tree; a representative, branch or member of a group or organization. ... The term humanoid refers to any being whose body structure resembles that of a human. ... In an extended sense, a leg is any part of an object that supports it off the ground. ...

Cho sun

The term cho sun is used to describe the move used to cut off an opponent's weapon arm. ARM may stand for: Most likely: ARM Ltd (originally Advanced RISC Machines) ARM architecture CPU design or one of its derivatives developed by ARM Ltd (originally called The Acorn RISC Machine) Adjustable rate mortgage Annotated Reference Manual ( C++) Artificial rupture of membranes (see amniotic sac) Others: Accelerated reply mail ( USPS...

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 imminent 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. A sword (from Old English sweord; akin to Old High German swerd lit. ...

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. The Force in George Lucas Star Wars films is a ( fictional) mystical power which is the object of the Jedi and Sith monastic orders. ...

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. —The Sith Code In the fictional Star Wars universe, the Sith were a humanoid race who were enslaved by a group of warrior priests who follow the dark side of the Force and serve as the evil counterparts to the Jedi. ...

Shiak

The term shiak is used to describe the honourable 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 an attack used by Jedi that disarms the weapon of an opponent, the objective usually being not to physically harm the opponent.

Sources

• The Seven Forms of Lightsaber Combat (http://swg.stratics.com/content/gameplay/professions/jedi/lightsaber_combat.php) - Star Wars Insider, Issues 62 and 68
• Jedi fighting styles (http://jediarchives.bejedi.com/index.php?c=fighting_styles)
• Lightsaber Techniques (http://freewebhosting.hostdepartment.com/J/JaymachRalTir/techniques.html)
• Lightsaber Combat Styles (http://pub60.ezboard.com/fstarwarsadventuresv20frm77.showMessage?topicID=10.topic)
• Star Wars: Attack of the Clones The Visual Dictionary, Lightsaber Combat (page 62)