Post by Admin on Mar 14, 2006 1:08:02 GMT 10
Basics of lightsaber combat
Unlike most martial arts involving a weapon, lightsaber combat is an art that is utilized before the weapon is ever drawn and ignited. This is due to the philosophy that a Jedi must only draw his weapon as a final recourse. A Jedi must decide on what situations require the application of deadly force, since the lightsaber is one of the deadliest weapons ever constructed.
Training
Lightsaber training begins very young, generally before a padawan has been taken by a knight or master as an apprentice. The master swordsmen at the Jedi Temple teach classes of padawans the most basics of lightsabers, such as basic moves and safety.
Training continues after a padawan becomes an apprentice. All Jedi Knights are required to be practitioners of lightsaber combat, and they pass on this knowledge and experience to their apprentices. When the master feels his apprentice is ready, he teaches his apprentice how to construct his first lightsaber as well as oversees the construction process, however, the Jedi Council does have a say in when a Padawan may build a lightsaber, this briefly mentioned in the Jedi Apprentice series by Jude Watson. Once the apprentice has finished constructing his lightsaber, the master teaches the padawan about velocities, a staple of Jedi lightsaber training.
Velocities
Jedi run endless drills called velocities to practice lightning reflexes and tight control. Velocities are similar in form to fencing, almost always performed with a partner, albeit much faster and trying to create an opening, rather than attack it. During velocities, Jedi learn how to give control over to the Force, as well as use it to extend their perceptions to other degrees of the encounter not allowed by their sensorium.
Advanced Lightsaber Combat
Advanced lightsaber combat revolves around the application of the Force during battle. While Jedi use the Force to extend their perceptions and give speed and purpose to their movements, this training allows them to utilize the Force in other, often unexpected, ways.
Master Yoda is a natural practitioner of advanced lightsaber combat. He uses the Force to propel him into blindingly fast jumps and spins during combat. He does this to effectively remove the disadvantage of his small stature when facing taller species in combat.
Body Zones
The body is sectioned off into "zones", areas to describe a location of an offensive or defensive move, called an attack or a parry, respectively. For example, the move Attack 3 can only be defended against by Parry 3: as the opponent attempts to strike the left side, the defender blocks to the left, parrying his blow.
The Body Zones:
* Zone 1: Head - Strikes made to the right and left sides of the neck are said to be in zones 2 and 3, respectively.
* Zone 2: Right arm and side
* Zone 3: Left arm and side
* Zone 4: Back
* Zone 5: Right leg
* Zone 6: Left leg
Examples of Attacks and Parries:
Attack 1: A simple, over-the-head strike at an opponent's head. Though not practiced much in combat training, it is a general move performed over and over to practice form and stance.
Parry 1: A block where the defender shifts his stance back slightly, and then holds his lightsaber up horizontal above his head. Whether the hilt is to the right or the left determines how the defender wishes to press his following attack.
Attack 2/3 Combo: This is a rushing attack where the lightsaber is swung from one shoulder to the opposite hip, brought back up behind the back, and swung down from the opposite shoulder to hip. This X-shaped attack is useful for keeping an enemy busy blocking and unable to counterattack.
Parry 2/3 Combo: A natural defense to the Attack 2/3 combo. The blade is lowered to the hip and brought up diagonally to intercept the opponent's blow. As soon as the lightsabers are no longer making contact, the blade is lowered to the opposite hip and the move is repeated. Jedi can get locked in this combo during a velocity, and it is common to see the attack-parry combo continue to get faster and faster, until either attacker or defender gets the upper hand in speed and can press the attack or counterattack.
Maneuvers and marks of contact
All ten forms of lightsaber combat utilize these ancient terms used by the Jedi for describing the objectives, maneuvers to use, and the various outcomes that could arise out of a fight involving lightsabers as weapons.
Marks of contact
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. This is exemplified in such cases as when Anakin Skywalker cut off both Count Dooku's hands (before decapitating him) in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith; Anakin also cut off Mace Windu's hand to prevent him from killing Emperor Palpatine/Darth Sidious in Revenge of the Sith; Darth Vader cut off Luke Skywalker's hand in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back; and Luke returned the favor in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.
Cho mak
A cho mak is the act of cutting off an opponent's limb, such as a humanoid's leg. This can be seen when Obi-Wan slashes Anakin's remaining biological arm and both of his legs during their epic duel in Revenge of the Sith.
Cho sun
The term cho sun is used to describe the move used to cut off an opponent's weapon arm, such as when Count Dooku defeated Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. Most combatants prefer the more efficient and precise cho mai, but cho sun is sometimes used when the opponent is too strong or fast to allow such a precise cut.
Sai cha
The term sai cha is used to describe the rare instance when a Jedi beheads his or her opponent. This is often reserved for the most dangerous of enemies—ones who a Jedi cannot afford to let live. This is an example of what Anakin Skywalker did to Count Dooku in Revenge of the Sith (although Dooku was sufficiently incapacitated), what Mace Windu did to Jango Fett in Attack of the Clones, and what Mace Windu again tried to do to Chancellor Palpatine in Revenge of the Sith. Darth Vader (Anakin Skywalker) also has a thing for this in the novel Dark Lord- "The Rise Of Darth Vader" in the book it describes that he did this to many of the Padawans and Jedi Masters including Cin Drallig during the siege at the Jedi Temple, he also beheads and dismembers some of the remaining exiled Jedi he was hunting and found on Kashyyyk in the novel.
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 their torso at the waist. It is performed by Jedi Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi against Darth Maul in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. This move is used only in the most extreme of circumstances. It is also attempted by Darth Vader during his duel against Obi-Wan Kenobi during the "A New Hope," though Kenobi's body disappears upon contact.
Shiak
The term shiak is used to describe the usually honorable action of stabbing an opponent. This technique is often used by Sith, such as when Darth Maul stabbed Qui-Gon Jinn in The Phantom Menace, and Palpatine's stabbing of Agen Kolar in Revenge of the Sith. Yoda can also be seen using a variation of this technique in Revenge of the Sith, when he throws his lightsaber at a Clone Trooper, impaling him, then clambers up the still-standing body to retrieve his weapon. Jedi also used this when they were fighting droids.
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, such as when Luke grazed Darth Vader's shoulder during their duel at Bespin in The Empire Strikes Back. It is also seen in Attack of the Clones in the instance where Count Dooku grazes Obi-Wan's right arm and leg.
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, such as when Master Mace Windu kicked Darth Sidious' lightsaber away during their duel in Revenge of the Sith and when Count Dooku disarmed one of Anakin's lightsabers in Attack of the Clones (although the lightsaber was destroyed in the process).
Maneuvers
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.
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 Jedi can then strike downwards, using their fall as a fulcrum for more power.
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.
Kai-kan
Great lightsaber duels - those of Ulic Qel-Droma, Exar Kun, etc. - have been studied throughout the ages by Jedi masters. 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.
Unlike most martial arts involving a weapon, lightsaber combat is an art that is utilized before the weapon is ever drawn and ignited. This is due to the philosophy that a Jedi must only draw his weapon as a final recourse. A Jedi must decide on what situations require the application of deadly force, since the lightsaber is one of the deadliest weapons ever constructed.
Training
Lightsaber training begins very young, generally before a padawan has been taken by a knight or master as an apprentice. The master swordsmen at the Jedi Temple teach classes of padawans the most basics of lightsabers, such as basic moves and safety.
Training continues after a padawan becomes an apprentice. All Jedi Knights are required to be practitioners of lightsaber combat, and they pass on this knowledge and experience to their apprentices. When the master feels his apprentice is ready, he teaches his apprentice how to construct his first lightsaber as well as oversees the construction process, however, the Jedi Council does have a say in when a Padawan may build a lightsaber, this briefly mentioned in the Jedi Apprentice series by Jude Watson. Once the apprentice has finished constructing his lightsaber, the master teaches the padawan about velocities, a staple of Jedi lightsaber training.
Velocities
Jedi run endless drills called velocities to practice lightning reflexes and tight control. Velocities are similar in form to fencing, almost always performed with a partner, albeit much faster and trying to create an opening, rather than attack it. During velocities, Jedi learn how to give control over to the Force, as well as use it to extend their perceptions to other degrees of the encounter not allowed by their sensorium.
Advanced Lightsaber Combat
Advanced lightsaber combat revolves around the application of the Force during battle. While Jedi use the Force to extend their perceptions and give speed and purpose to their movements, this training allows them to utilize the Force in other, often unexpected, ways.
Master Yoda is a natural practitioner of advanced lightsaber combat. He uses the Force to propel him into blindingly fast jumps and spins during combat. He does this to effectively remove the disadvantage of his small stature when facing taller species in combat.
Body Zones
The body is sectioned off into "zones", areas to describe a location of an offensive or defensive move, called an attack or a parry, respectively. For example, the move Attack 3 can only be defended against by Parry 3: as the opponent attempts to strike the left side, the defender blocks to the left, parrying his blow.
The Body Zones:
* Zone 1: Head - Strikes made to the right and left sides of the neck are said to be in zones 2 and 3, respectively.
* Zone 2: Right arm and side
* Zone 3: Left arm and side
* Zone 4: Back
* Zone 5: Right leg
* Zone 6: Left leg
Examples of Attacks and Parries:
Attack 1: A simple, over-the-head strike at an opponent's head. Though not practiced much in combat training, it is a general move performed over and over to practice form and stance.
Parry 1: A block where the defender shifts his stance back slightly, and then holds his lightsaber up horizontal above his head. Whether the hilt is to the right or the left determines how the defender wishes to press his following attack.
Attack 2/3 Combo: This is a rushing attack where the lightsaber is swung from one shoulder to the opposite hip, brought back up behind the back, and swung down from the opposite shoulder to hip. This X-shaped attack is useful for keeping an enemy busy blocking and unable to counterattack.
Parry 2/3 Combo: A natural defense to the Attack 2/3 combo. The blade is lowered to the hip and brought up diagonally to intercept the opponent's blow. As soon as the lightsabers are no longer making contact, the blade is lowered to the opposite hip and the move is repeated. Jedi can get locked in this combo during a velocity, and it is common to see the attack-parry combo continue to get faster and faster, until either attacker or defender gets the upper hand in speed and can press the attack or counterattack.
Maneuvers and marks of contact
All ten forms of lightsaber combat utilize these ancient terms used by the Jedi for describing the objectives, maneuvers to use, and the various outcomes that could arise out of a fight involving lightsabers as weapons.
Marks of contact
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. This is exemplified in such cases as when Anakin Skywalker cut off both Count Dooku's hands (before decapitating him) in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith; Anakin also cut off Mace Windu's hand to prevent him from killing Emperor Palpatine/Darth Sidious in Revenge of the Sith; Darth Vader cut off Luke Skywalker's hand in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back; and Luke returned the favor in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.
Cho mak
A cho mak is the act of cutting off an opponent's limb, such as a humanoid's leg. This can be seen when Obi-Wan slashes Anakin's remaining biological arm and both of his legs during their epic duel in Revenge of the Sith.
Cho sun
The term cho sun is used to describe the move used to cut off an opponent's weapon arm, such as when Count Dooku defeated Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. Most combatants prefer the more efficient and precise cho mai, but cho sun is sometimes used when the opponent is too strong or fast to allow such a precise cut.
Sai cha
The term sai cha is used to describe the rare instance when a Jedi beheads his or her opponent. This is often reserved for the most dangerous of enemies—ones who a Jedi cannot afford to let live. This is an example of what Anakin Skywalker did to Count Dooku in Revenge of the Sith (although Dooku was sufficiently incapacitated), what Mace Windu did to Jango Fett in Attack of the Clones, and what Mace Windu again tried to do to Chancellor Palpatine in Revenge of the Sith. Darth Vader (Anakin Skywalker) also has a thing for this in the novel Dark Lord- "The Rise Of Darth Vader" in the book it describes that he did this to many of the Padawans and Jedi Masters including Cin Drallig during the siege at the Jedi Temple, he also beheads and dismembers some of the remaining exiled Jedi he was hunting and found on Kashyyyk in the novel.
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 their torso at the waist. It is performed by Jedi Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi against Darth Maul in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. This move is used only in the most extreme of circumstances. It is also attempted by Darth Vader during his duel against Obi-Wan Kenobi during the "A New Hope," though Kenobi's body disappears upon contact.
Shiak
The term shiak is used to describe the usually honorable action of stabbing an opponent. This technique is often used by Sith, such as when Darth Maul stabbed Qui-Gon Jinn in The Phantom Menace, and Palpatine's stabbing of Agen Kolar in Revenge of the Sith. Yoda can also be seen using a variation of this technique in Revenge of the Sith, when he throws his lightsaber at a Clone Trooper, impaling him, then clambers up the still-standing body to retrieve his weapon. Jedi also used this when they were fighting droids.
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, such as when Luke grazed Darth Vader's shoulder during their duel at Bespin in The Empire Strikes Back. It is also seen in Attack of the Clones in the instance where Count Dooku grazes Obi-Wan's right arm and leg.
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, such as when Master Mace Windu kicked Darth Sidious' lightsaber away during their duel in Revenge of the Sith and when Count Dooku disarmed one of Anakin's lightsabers in Attack of the Clones (although the lightsaber was destroyed in the process).
Maneuvers
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.
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 Jedi can then strike downwards, using their fall as a fulcrum for more power.
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.
Kai-kan
Great lightsaber duels - those of Ulic Qel-Droma, Exar Kun, etc. - have been studied throughout the ages by Jedi masters. 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.