Lightsaber Combat Training - the way of the Warrior

FORM 1 - SHII-CHO

Greetings,

I am Joshua - aka Jake Sato. I would like to start a thread for Lightsaber Velocity and training.

When beginning as a Jedi - the most important thing to remember - control your saber at ALL times. You must never strike to KILL but WOUND. Know your target zones. But above all remember. It is not practice that makes perfect. It is perfect practice that makes perfect action.

The target zones are as follows: 1, head, 2, left arm, 3, right arm, 4, back, 5, left leg, 6, right leg

I shall start with the most essential Form to all Jedi. Ranging from scholar, to consular, from sentinel to guardian.

Form 1 -


Form I: Shii-Cho

Form I, also called "The Way of the Sarlacc," is the most basic form of lightsaber combat -- and the most ancient. For this reason, it is the first form of lightsaber combat that most Jedi learn. It was developed as the Jedi transitioned from using traditional swords to using lightsabers.

The moves of Form I focus on disarming one's opponent without hurting him. Its wide, sweeping motions are useful when facing multiple enemies, but do not work well against lightsaber-wielding opponents.

Notable Practitioners: Luke Skywalker, Yoda
(http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Lightsaber_combat)

Here is an AMAZING video - not myself - of this form in practice - it's viable defenses - as well as the KEY TARGET ZONES. that apply to all lightsaber combat. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJOn7CIAwg0&index=1&list=PLS1aPjxqcONf5Y5r3jqh7uAFf5b9ipQd9

Remember "if you can wield a saber, you CAN master form 1." Master Noah...

thank you - and May the force be with you - Always.

Form II: Makashi

Form II, also called "The Way of the Ysalamiri," developed when the Jedi began fighting Sith and other lightsaber wielders. It emphasizes precision, simple footwork, and preventing disarmament, and thus is a strong defense against Form I. Curved-hilt lightsabers made it easier to control the one-handed fighting style.

After the Sith were all but destroyed around 1,000 BBY, lightsaber duels became uncommon once again, and few Jedi studied Form II. Those who did admired it as the most elegant form of lightsaber combat.

Notable Practitioners: Count Dooku, Darth Vader

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbJpvfUt9_M&list=PLS1aPjxqcONfIGO4VGMnnoou0Gl7GPMrC



May the force be with you - Always

Form III: Soresu

Form III, also called "The Way of the Mynock," was developed to defend against blasters. It is characterized by tight, efficient movements that shield the Jedi's body, using the lightsaber primarily as a defensive weapon to deflect blaster bolts.

The practice of Form III is an important reflection of Jedi philosophy, as it emphasizes the Jedi belief in calmness and non-aggression. A Jedi using Form III must center herself in the Force in order to anticipate her opponents' movements and successfully block blaster fire.

Notable Practitioners: Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke Skywalker

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46N3EYSpDBY

Special thanks to Master Noah from Force Storm.

You mentioned in a pm that it is essential to know the target zones, do you have a diagram or information on this. It would be helpful for me to have a "target" to aim for, just like in firearms training.

Yes Master - I shall included what i can find from the Book "the Jedi Path" - as well as create a bit better representation for us to use in the future.


REMEMBER - be calm, and in control at ALL times, only then can you strike in the name of justice.

The target zones are as follows: 1, head, 2, left arm, 3, right arm, 4, back, 5, left leg, 6, right leg

ive learned - or gotten a glimpse at least - of something important, from this thread
i hope i dont forget it
my thanks to the both of you

Jake_Sato,

For these first 3 forms, are the videos a depiction of the Kata to be performed in training, and if it is, what is the diagram for the footwork?

I can see the sword work but the vid is kind of dark and masks the foot work some.

Phortis Nespin wrote: Jake_Sato,

For these first 3 forms, are the videos a depiction of the Kata to be performed in training, and if it is, what is the diagram for the footwork?

I can see the sword work but the vid is kind of dark and masks the foot work some.

Yes Master you should practice the Offensive as separate portions as to be able to switch between offensive and defensive modes of combat. Footwork is very simple, you want to keep your feet at shoulder width at all times and never put them on the same line. Like a rail road track you are walking on, you always want to be ready - to jump off - and always to the side. As falling front or back vs a train will... not work well for one.

Here is basic Footwork -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnaRY-oPuRU

Here is a brief video on Makashi Footwork -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vkbah4mcznU

Makashi Advanced Footwork -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfc6oRlnvPs

and many more here on this channel
Saber Academy - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN3IsywwpbvOMkkCD2TFMAA

Thank you for this Knowledge, i shall combine it with my current practice routine.

GRIP

Please see this video for a quick tutorial on how to hold your light-saber for Makashi and Shii-Cho

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SD5Ee3knco&index=40&list=WL

would anyone care to give their understanding of Form 4? more assistance is always appreciated

I hope you don't mind, but I am taking this slow. I am working hard on Form 1, the hand grip, and the foot work. I would like to learn them 1 at a time.

It is going good and I appreciate the help and the instruction. Keep up the good work Jake.

From my understanding, Form IV - Ataru is all about agility, to be able to move around the battlefield and use fast and complex flourishes to overwhelm the opponent. Read up on it on Wookiepeedia

Phortis Nespin wrote: I hope you don't mind, but I am taking this slow. I am working hard on Form 1, the hand grip, and the foot work. I would like to learn them 1 at a time.

It is going good and I appreciate the help and the instruction. Keep up the good work Jake.

Thank you Master, - Master Adder is also assisting me in the knowledge portion of Lightsaber Combat Training. I shall put some slower and better angled shots together in our studio and perhaps present these videos to the order, for their internal use?

SHII - CHO Reaffirmation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5ioDTd9Em0
Not my video but very informative -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZEESNVrHYc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sDxh5p8uKw


Remember above all - your light-saber is a defensive weapon - and a tool for ceremonial purpose. Use it only for good

TRAINING

Shii - Cho -

After a week of study dedicated to this form, I have to give the following incites:

- training with a partner makes this training far easier to learn.
- Use a nice wide open space for the random attack system is... random
- Use face protection and gloves when moving on to Phase 3 - Random Contact Duels

This form is a very versatile form, I can easily see why it was used by so many, and Mastered by so few. Its combination with Makashi is a very impressive model as well. The multiple opponent aspect fused with the duelist perspective. I call this form - One Handed Shii - Cho - Or (Shii - Cho Ma). I feel this form would have been highly sustainable during the fictional clones wars due to its focus on multiple opponents - designed to fight Jedi Warriors. Like Grievous, or Stalkers.

Form I – Shii-cho
Alternative Names: Way of the Sarlacc, Determination Form

The most basic of the lightsaber Forms, and the first of those taught to any lightsaber-wielding emotions, Shii-Cho is also among the oldest of those created for use with a lightsaber. Drawn upon the traditional principles used in swordsmanship, the Form focuses primarily on the foundations of combat, placing emphasis on proper technique and on simplicity as a hallmark of the Jedi. Students learning Shii-Cho are taught the basics of footwork, cadences to improve precision with the blade, the marks of contact usable with a lightsaber, as well as the most basic attacks, parries and counter-attacks of swordsmanship. Also, it is at this elvel that students are trained in basic deflection principles, and many of their initial first encounters with use of the Force come from their training with this Form, since they must learn to use the lightsaber in conjunction with the sensory abilities that are the inherent talent of all Force Sensitives, relying on their perceptions to move a weapon that could remove their heads with an imprecise stroke.

In order to prevent accidental injury (since students taught this Form have usually not held a lightsaber prior to this point, even on training frequencies), Shii-Cho focuses on the use of single strikes and uncomplicated motions, improving the student’s co-ordination with their weapon and also creating that sense of simplicity that is the focal point of the Form’s mindset and practice. Alongside this training comes very basic Force techniques: primarily, students need to be able to detect movements through the Force and be able to react quickly to them in order to initiate the appropriate counter. Alongside their training in swordplay, students also need to be taught basic Telekinesis and assisted movements to increase their range of abilities, since these are the key skills they are likely to use in their defense during a spar. Their sensory abilities will also be developed through training in this form: enabling them to track their opponents, the flow of energy around them and to provide them with situational awareness that is fundamental in combat.

Used in combat, an observer would see a proficient user of Shii-Cho using a highly co-ordinated sequence of movements, each one simple but effective, aiming not for complexity but for sheer strength and brutal efficiency, all of which can easily overwhelm an opponent, particularly one expecting more complex motions – as is often noted among swordsmen, simpler techniques are often the best, since complex ones are more easily countered or disrupted in this manner. As such, a Shii-Cho user will rarely engage in use of feints, binds, fléches or a complicated sequence of parry-ripostes. The parries remain simple lateral parries, rather than the semi-circular or circular parries, and as such, the blade is often held in both hands with little in the way of wrist motions. Turns and twists are rarely employed, since Shii-Cho is taught mostly in an upright, singular stance, the blade angled across the body with the feet spread apart, the back foot inverted at an angle to the front foot. Ducks and jumps are perfectly acceptable, but these are also kept simple: backflips and rolls require more complex tactics, and thus changes in elevation or orientation are used mostly for evasion.

With regards to strengths and weaknesses, Shii-Cho is the weakest of all the forms with regards to advanced techniques, but due to the simplicity of the Form, it can also be used to successfully defend against a practitioner of the ‘higher’ forms when studied to an advanced level. Since only simple attacks are used, Shii-Cho is often called upon to provide a highly random element to the style, since the practised cadences and drills can be combined in thousands of different ways, chained in a manner that can be both hard to predict and lethal, purely as a result of the fact that it keeps things simple. Since the Form places equal emphasis on attack and defense, it can be argued that Shii-Cho practitioners are disadvantaged compared to users of other Forms because they have no specialist emphasis, but this is also an advantage in that they also lack the consequential weaknesses (a Djem-So user would predictably maintain a weaker defense when pressed, as a Soresu practitioner would have a weaker offensive skill, and an Ataru user would be severely threatened with a lack of room to maneuver, for example).

The mindset of a Shii-Cho practitioner can differ considerably, but the Form’s philosophy of simplicity usually finds it’s way into other aspects of a Jedi’s life (as is true with all the lightsaber forms), with practitioners often being direct in their approach to resolving problems, but elegant purely because of that simplicity: while others might try to weave a complex solution that is inclusive of all considerations, a Shii-Cho user will cut to the heart of the matter, fix it with minimal effort and then move on. Likewise, in temperament, they tend to be calm but less analytical than the majority of their brethren. As Jedi, they are far less likely to specialise, instead preferring to encompass all aspects of a Jedi’s training and balance them, much as Shii-Cho balances attack with defense, inclusive of all elements of their lightsaber training.

(https://www.jediholo.net/form-i-shii-cho/)

I wish I could find something else to say on this topic - but this is very well said and an absolute perfect definition of the form 1 Shii Cho.

For the basic katas training, can I use a commercial Hasbro Lightsaber to Practice, as long as I don't hit anything with it?

We have no battle-ready lightsabers in Brazil, most manufacturers don't send them here, and for those who do send, the cost is absurd, since 1 USD = 4 BRL, shipping costs no less than 25 USD and we have to pay 70% tax on anything that costs more than $50, shipping included.

So if one day any of you intend to come to Brazil, please, tell me, I'll send you the money through Pay Pal to bring a lightsaber to me xD

On the other hand, there's that new thread on making cheap lightsabers, I favorited it, and one day I may try my hand at doing them. Who knows?

(also, do the lightsaber forgers have to pay royalties to LucasFilm/Disney?)

dear jake_sato
i have looked at your work and you have worked hard on it and done a good job

I'm excited to see your thoughts on form 7. This the form I use combined with form 1. It's actually kind of my own form. I took from them and my own experience.