Komali's Jedi Order

Shii Cho is the first Form of lightsaber combat developed, holding the key principles of combat and holding the basic technical tactics of combat.

Sun djem, one of the marks of contact, was the main aim of a Shii Cho user, aiming to disarm or destroy the opponents weapon so as to end the fight peacefully. However, with the rise of other Forms, such as Makashi, Sun Djem became much harder as the skill levels rose.

Form I follows basic techniques

• Attacks, a set of attacks aimed at different body zones
• Parry, a set of parrying techniques for each body zone
• Body Target Zones
• Training Drills known as velocities and dulons.

All Jedi are encouraged to learn Shii Cho first, as it teaches the basic techniques and ideas that the other Forms expand upon, and Shii Cho is a good form to revert to when other Forms fail in combat.

Lightsaber Construction

Shii Cho hilts were often simplistic yet strong designs, usually sabers that are not of unique design but may be personalised to the user.

The saber hilts are simplistic in design due to the simplistic nature of the Form. Though some Jedi designed their own unique hilts, hilts like those in the picture were the most common used.

Range

Range is fairly simple - you and your opponent are either in or out of range! But remember, if your opponent is in range, you are in range too! Being out of range means that by swinging your weapon with your arm stretched fully and it doesn't make contact with your opponent then you and your opponent are out of range.

When in range you can make attacks and parries fairly easy, but you have to be much more  focused as you can be attacked much easier. Close range is much harder to manuever as you are both to close to move much. Being at close range is being in arms length of each other. Close range is mainly for saber locks. Form a saber lock you can either try and push your opponent away or slide away from them.

Combos

Combos are a series of attacks that flow well. Momentum is important, as it is the momentum of the attacks that force the opponent to retreat. If you pause every time your blades make contact the duel is very slow and unrealistic - and you aren't training effectively. Each technique, whether defensive or offensive, should flow quickly and easily. This helps predicting attacks fairly easier as it is difficult to attack the same side of the body twice, you usually have to attack one side, then attack the other side before returning to the origional side.

The trick with combos is to do what feels comfortable, but not falling into predictable patterns. if you feel yourself doing the same combination three times then try and do a different move. if you become easily predictable your opponent can manipulate you and you are no longer in control.

Contact

When each lightsaber makes contact there are three options.

1. They both Stop

This occurs when the momentum of each lade cancels each other out. This usually stops the fight until someone starts moving again.

2. The blades bounce off one another

This happens often, and the duelists often use the momentum of the recoil to bring the saber quickly to attack the other side.

3. The Blade skips off

The defender effectively steals momentum and uses it to get to defend the next attack.

Flourish

A Flourish is simply a technique that has little value as an attack, but generally looks fancy. However, attacks can be added to the end of a flourish.

Moving

Duels are always moving around. The attacker is always pushing the defender back. The trick is for you to ocus 90% on the combat and 10% on surroundings, otherwise the opponent can lead you into traps.

Footwork

Footwork is important for making attacks successful, and also maintaining balance and conserving energy.

Shuffling

This technique of footwork is rather static and the legs shoudl not pass across each other. This is only useful on fairly flat surfaces. Keep your feet about shoulder width apart, with your strong foot facing forward. As you press the attack you shuffle your feet forward. This is really only useful for attack and doesn't make you move very quickly.

Quick Pacing

This is a prefered version of footwork as it is useful for both defence and offsence and allows for quick movement. As you advance or retreat eac foot moves individually, keeping one foot firmly on the ground to push you in the desired direction. This makes a left, right, left, right, left, right... movement of the feet. In order to maintain balance kep your feet approximately 1' and a half apart, when both are firmly planted on the ground. The only time the feet should come close to each other is when one foot is moving past the other.

The body is divided into 6 main zones of attack and defence.

1. Head
2. Right Arm and side
3. Left Arm and Side
4. Back
5. Right Leg
6. Left Leg

Note that attacks to the neck are considered either Zone 2 or 3.

Your stance is very important while fighting. The stance helps you keep your balance and get the right amount of energy into your attack or parry. It involves footwork, the alignment of the legs and torso, the straightening of the back, and the loosening of the arms so that they can snap into the desired position. Keys to good stances include: allowing the dominant foot to be the main source of propulsion, keeping the knees bent, keeping the back straight, and constant, calm breathing.

The Stance Grid:

Jedi Ready

The most basic of all Jedi stances - also called "basic neutral" - this one employs stepping back with the dominant foot and drawing the lightsaber so that it is parrying on the dominant side. Weight is distributed evenly between the feet. It is natural that the dominant shoulder be rolled slightly back. The hilt of the lightsaber is held down level with the waist with the tip of the lightsaber pointed at or slightly over the head of the target. This stance is similar to the chūdan-no-kamae in kendo, except in the kendo form you step forward with the dominant foot as you draw the blade. This is evidence of the Jedi only using lightsabers as a matter of defense of themselves and others, whereas in kendo the purpose is for attack.

In Episode I, Obi-Wan Kenobi always used this stance when drawing his lightsaber, and hastily moved into it as well. This shows how undisciplined he was as a padawan. His feet shifted oddly so that his rear foot was not in a straight line pointing forward, his back was hunched forward (this reduces both balance as well as the flow of energy to-and-from the internal organs), and he held the point of his lightsaber so high that it partially obscured his vision. It is possible he is attempting an aggressive forward stance. By Episode II, he has changed more so into his former master's style.

Neutral Forward

Very similar to Jedi ready, except that the dominant foot is forward - identical to chūdan-no-kamae - with the lightsaber hilt close to the waist, the blade pointed to the enemy. Slightly more weight is on the front foot than the rear, which means that the dominant leg is still the one that propels the attack.

Anakin uses this stance in Episode II. He centers himself by setting his stance and swinging his blade slowly from behind his back, over his head, down centerline of his body, and settling the lightsaber in place.

Defensive Neutral

A good defensive posture, defensive neutral is ready for any occurrence but is also non-threatening. The dominant foot is drawn back and pointed approximately forty-five degrees out to the side. Approximately sixty-percent of the weight is on the back foot. The dominant shoulder is rolled back as the blade is drawn. The lightsaber is held vertically next to that side of the head, in the pocket created by the shoulder. This form is almost identical to the hassō-no-kamae stance found in kendo.

In Episode I, Qui-Gon Jinn uses this stance when drawing his lightsaber. His form is almost flawless, showing the years of training and discipline spent acquiring his skill. He holds his lightsaber back in such a fashion that his eyes are able to scan a wide forward arc, looking for targets and watching attacks. With his long legs, he is able to hold his feet wide, ready to spring forward at a moment's notice. In Episode II, Obi-wan has followed in his master's footsteps and picked up this stance, and in Episode III when he is fighting Anakin just before Anakin jumps on to the same platform you see Obi-Wan using the stance.

Defensive Back

The best defensive posture in sword combat, defensive back is nigh-impossible to penetrate and nigh-impossible to launch an attack from. The hilt of the blade is rasied high towards the face, the point of the blade pointed diagonally down at the ground. From this position slashing strikes aimed at the torso can be easily blocked, and stabbing strikes can be quickly parried with wide, sweeping moves from which the defender can quickly move forward into a better stance. Another advantage of this stance is that the blade can be quickly swung all the way around the torso to block attacks from all directions.

Aggressive Neutral

A very threatening stance similar to the Jedi ready stance. This involves standing with more of the weight on the front foot rather than the rear. The arms are held so that the hilt of the lightsaber is in line with the solar plexus, and the point of the lightsaber is directed at the target's head. The distance from the body to the lightsaber is greater than most stances. This form is not very useful in conventional combat, but is very deadly in lightsaber-on-lightsaber combat.Darth Sidious uses this when he is fighting Mace Windu.

Combined with the elegant, flowing, and swift motions of Form II, this stance allows Count Dooku to keep his guard up while pressing the attack. Even when facing an Anakin Skywalker armed with two lightsabers, he is able to gain an advantage by keeping his enemy at arm's length.

Aggressive Back

A more radical stance than most, aggressive back is a low posture from which a swift attack can be launched. The back foot is pointed out almost ninety-degrees from the body and is holding over eighty-percent of the weight. The front foot is extended forward, almost straight. The lightsaber is held on the dominant side, right beside the head, its blade facing directly forward. Like aggressive neutral, this stance is only useful for taking on a single enemy armed with a lightsaber, especially since it obstructs view of the right side of the body.

This is Obi-wan's stance from Episode III. He uses it mainly in facing General Greivous, alternating at times with aggressive neutral. This leaves him open to attack from surrounding droids, but he realizes that danger is minute in scope to giving Grievous one inch of advantage.

Velocities

Velocities are the name given to training drills where to Jedi face each other in a duel. They would practise their reflexes and control by use of training in duels. Over time, speed, agilities, strength and skill is built through velocities. When an opponent wishes to yeild they yell "solah" (Soh-lah) as a sign to stop.

Remember, safety is important! Don't do anything stupid or dangerous!

Dulons

Dulons are drills where the user practices techniques by themselves. They would often do dulons to practise new techniques and improve on the old ones, starting off slow and increasing on the speed until they get the move right.

Saber Lock

A defensive and offensive technique, a saber lock is where both sabers lock as the momentum of each saber cancels each others out.

Vertical Attack 1

Put the lightsaber above your head, the blade in line with your spine, the tip pointing downwards. Then slice the blade downwards directly infront of your body at your opponents head.

Sai Cha

Bring the saber up behind your head, so the blade is horizontal, tip pointing slightly upwards. The handle should in line with your shoulder at about the height of your ear. Then swing the saber horizontally aiming for your opponents neck. To increase strength you can hold the saber with two hands, or use one hand for increased speed.

Horizontal Cho Mok Attack 2

Bring the saber behind the left side of your back - blade about neck height, similar to the Sai Ch technique, then swing the blade round horizontally to attack your opponents right arm. You can hold the saber with two hands to increase strength.

Diagonal Cho Mak Attack 2

Starting with the handle verticle wit the handle just below chin height, swing the blade downwards so the blade goes down to your left, with the handle still just below chin height. This allows you to attack your opponents right side. This can be combined with Diagonal Cho Mak Attack 3 to form a fast combo.

Horizontal Cho Mok Attack 3

Bring the saber behind the right side of your back - blade about neck height, similar to the Sai Ch technique, then swing the blade round horizontally to attack your opponents left arm. You can hold the saber with two hands to increase strength.

Diagonal Cho Mak Attack 3

Starting with the handle verticle with the handle just below chin height, swing the blade downwards so the blade goes down to your right, with the handle still just below chin height. This allows you to attack your opponents right side. This can be combined with Diagonal Cho Mak Attack 2 to form a fast combo.

Horizontal Sai Tok 4

Bring the saber behind your back at about shoulder height. Bring the saber round horizontally to slash at your opponents back. Which side you bring the saber behind depends on which side the back is open to.

Basic Cho Mok Attack 5

Bring the saber behind the left side of your back and swing the blade downwards to attack your opponents right leg.

Basic Cho Mok Attack 6

Bring the saber behind the right side of your back and swing the blade downwards to attack your opponents left leg.

High Parry Stance

This parry is used to block a vertical attack to your head.

Hold the handle in line with your shoulders just above your head, but in front of your head. The blade should be horizontal.

Diagonal Parry 1

This technique is used to block an attack to your head that isn't vertical.

Hold the handle directly above your head, so the blade is diagonal and pointing down. If the attack is coming towards the left side of your head the blade should be on the left side, if the attack is coming to the right then the blade should be on the right side.

Kai-Kan Drop Stance

Hold the blade horizontal with the blade running just below your chin.

Vertical Parry 2 and 3

Simply, keep the blade at waist height and keep the blade vertical with the tip pointing up with the blade pointing up. You can move the blade to the left or the right to defend each side respectively.

Basic Parry 2

With the blade vertical and the handle just below chin height, swing the blade round so it blocks your right side, the blade vertical and pointing down. The blade should arc left in front of you before ending in the parry position. This can be combined with Basic Parry 3 to form a fast combo.

Diagonal Parry 2

Starting with the handle verticle wit the handle just below chin height, swing the blade downwards so the blade goes down to your right, with the handle still just below chin height. This allows you to block an attack to your right side. This can be combined with Diagonal Cho Mak Attack 3 to form a fast combo.  

Basic Parry 3

With the blade vertical and the handle just below chin height, swing the blade round so it blocks your left side, the blade vertical and pointing down. The blade should arc right in front of you before ending in the parry position. This can be combined with Basic Parry 2 to form a fast combo.

Diagonal Parry 3

Starting with the handle verticle wit the handle just below chin height, swing the blade downwards so the blade goes down to your left, with the handle still just below chin height. This allows you to block an attack to your right side. This can be combined with Diagonal Cho Mak Attack 3 to form a fast combo.

Basic Parry 4

This parry involved putting your arms over your head so the blade is in line with your spine. The handle should be directly behind your head. This will block a direct attack to your back.

Shoulder Parry 4

This parry can be used to defend either the right or left shoulder. Bring the saber up so the blade is vertical by the shoulder you are defending, with the handle in line with your face. One arm should stretch over your head, the other stretching infront of it.

Basic Parry 5

Starting with the handle at chest height and the blade vertical, tip pointing upwards, swing the blade down so the tip swings down to the left, then finally ending in the result position - with the blade vertical, tip pointing downwards to defend your right leg.

Diagonal Parry 5

Bring the saber behind the left side of your back and swing the blade downwards to defend your right leg.

Basic Parry 6

Starting with the handle at chest height and the blade vertical, tip pointing upwards, swing the blade down so the tip swings down to the right, then finally ending in the result position - with the blade vertical, tip pointing downwards to defend your left leg.

Diagonal Parry 5

Bring the saber behind the right side of your back and swing the blade downwards to defend your left leg.