Forms and Combat

From TFC Galactopedia

Note: Some of the phrases listed here may be familiar to many of you as those associated with the art of Kendo; lightsaber dueling , particularly its ready stances, borrow much from this discipline. The following is a collection of notes gathered from several different sources. Note that the canonical value of this information is limited at best; however as an informal reference it works quite well.

The Seven Forms

Since the dawn of Jedi History, seven fighting disciplines have arisen, Known as the Seven Forms. The Forms represent differing styles and philosophies of combat. Each Form has it's respective merits and flaws.

Form I - Shii-Cho "Way of the Sarlacc" or "Determination Form"

Form I is based on ancient sword-fighting traditions, since the principles of blade combat has remained much the same. The basics of attack, parry, body target zones, and the practice drills called cadences are all here. Nearly all Jedi padawans are trained in Form I; it is the foundation upon which all other paths are based.

Form II - Makashi "Way of the Ysalamiri" or "Contention Form"

The ultimate refinement of weapon to weapon combat became Form II, advancing the precision of blade manipulation to its finest possible degree and producing the greatest dueling masters the Galaxy has ever seen. Count Dooku was considered one of the greatest masters of Form II in the history of the Jedi Order.

Form III - Soresu "Way of the Mynock" or "Resilience Form"

The third great discipline focuses on deflection and defense as arts alone. It is a highly refined expression of non-aggressive Jedi philosophy. Form III maximizes defensive protection in a style characterized by tight, efficient movements that expose minimal target area compared to the relatively open style of some of the other forms. While offensively this form can be lacking, Form III Masters are considered all but invulnerable to attack.Obi-Wan Kenobi in his prime was a highly advanced student of this discipline.

Form IV - Ataru "Way of the Hawk-Bat" or "Aggression Form"

Form IV is the most acrobatic Form, heavily emphasizing Jedi abilities to run, jump, and spin in phenomenal ways by using the Force. Masters of Form IV incorporate all the ways in which the Force can help them go beyond what is normally possible for a person to do. Their combat is astonishing to watch, filled with elaborate moves in the center of which a Jedi may be all but a blur. Jedi Master Yoda found this style particularly to his liking. This is Zannah Lyles' chosen form of combat.

Form V - Shien / Djem So "Way of the Krayt Dragon" or "Perseverance Form"

Form V arose to address a need for greater power among the Jedi. Jedi who feel that Form III could be too passive train in Form V. A Form III master might be undefeatable, but neither could he necessarily overcome his enemy. Form V focuses on strength and attack moves. A dedication to the power and strength necessary to defeat an enemy characterizes the philosophy of Form V, which some Jedi describe by the maxim "peace through superior firepower." To some Jedi Knights, Form V represents a worthy discipline prepared for any threat; to others Form V seems to foster an inappropriate focus on dominating others.Anakin Skywalker remained fond of this form throughout his life, and made great use of it as Darth Vader.

Form VI - Niman "Way of the Rancor" or "Moderation Form"

This Form balances the emphases of other forms with overall moderation, in keeping with the Jedi quest to achieve true harmony and justice without resorting to the rule of power. It is considered the "diplomat's Form" becuase it is less intensive in its demands than other disciplines, allowing Jedi to spend more time developing their skills in perception, poltical strategy, and negotiation. In practice, Form VI is a combination of Forms I, III, IV, V. Young Jedi spend their first few years studying Form I and then a year or two with each additional Form before completing their training. By comparison, A master of any other Form will spend at least ten years studying only that form after completing the basic Form I training. Form VI well suits the modern day Jedi' role in society, in which a Knight overly trained in martial combat might be at a loss to resolve a complex political conflict between others, However full masters of other Forms sometimes consider Form VI to be insufficently demanding. Qui-Gon Jinn studied this discipline, and was very fond of its balanced theme.

Form VII - Juyo / Vaapad "Way of the Vornskr" or "Ferocity Form"

Only high-level masters of multiple Forms can achieve and control the ultimate discipline known as Form VII. This is the most difficult and demanding of all the Forms, but it can eventually lead to fantastic power and skill. Form VII employs bold, direct movements, more open and kenetic then Form V but not so elaborate in appearance as Form IV. In addition to very advanced Force-assisted jumps and movements, Form VII tactics overwhelm opponents with seemingly unconnected staccato sequences, making the Form highly unpredictable in battle. This trait makes for a much more difficult execution than the graceful, linked move sequences of Form IV. Form VII requires the intensity of Form V, but much greater energy since that focus is wielded more broadly. Form VII draws upon a deeper well of emotion then even Form V, yet masters it more fully.Jedi Master Mace Windu is the Jedi's Order's senior instructor, and as such is the only one qualified other than Master Yoda himself to teach this discipline. Many in the Order believe that this form's open agressiveness and efficiency in killing brings it dangerously close to the Dark Side; prospective students of this Form are screened rigorously.

The Marks of Contact

Virtually all Jedi Forms involve the same "marks of contact," target objectives organized as categories of damage fighters can inflict upon their opponents. In the names of these marks, the language of the earliest Jedi sages has come down unaltered to us today. The ancient traditional marks of contact help focus a Jedi's attacks and defenses on a few clear categories rather then diffusing awareness across an infinte number of possibilities.

Sun Djem ( "sun jem" )

Damage or Destroy Weapon

Sun Djem (disarming) was a goal of early Form I masters, since destroying an opponent's weapon could win victory without causing injury --- always a Jedi aspiration. However, the advances of Form II soon made Sun Djem nearly impossible, since combatants trained studiously against having their weapons taken or damaged.Sucessfully performing such a manuver against one proficient with a blade is the mark of a consummate swordsman.

Shiim ( "she-eem" )

Wound

Any kind of wound with just the edge of the blade is shiim. An inconclusive mark of contact, shiim is considered inferior to other marks that decisively end a battle. It's appearance thus expresses struggle with a powerful opponent.

Shiak ( "she-ack" )

Killing Thrust

Jedi Tradition considers Shiak (stabbing) an honorable method of inflicting serious injury since it causes the least visible injury to the opponent's body. Shiak can thus express Jedi respect for an opponent and the living Force even as it delivers a fatal blow.

Cho Mai ( "cho my" )

Cut off Weapon Hand

Cho mai instantly ends an opponent's ability to use a weapon but does not kill, making cho mai a preferred Jedi move. The precision cutting of only a hand is considered a mark of superior skills.

Cho Sun ( "cho sun" )

Cut off Weapon Arm

Cho sun (dismembering), cutting off an opponent's entire weapon arm, is a move lacking the precision and elegance of cho mai, but cho sun is the move most often necessary under suprise combat conditions or where no chances can be taken.

Cho Mok ( "cho mock" )

Otherwise Maim

Cho Mok (maim) describes cutting off of an opponent's leg or (in case of non humans) other limbs or appendage such as tails.Since a maimed opponent can still use a weapon, this is rarely seen in a dueling situation; often this will be used against wild beasts or monsters whose primary weapons are often their appendages.

Sai Cha ( "sigh cha" )

Behead

Sai Cha, from the ancient words for "separate" and "head," describes the chilling Jedi ability to behead an opponent in a flash of blade.Always reluctant to end life, Jedi commit sai cha only when battle is at its most deadly serious and threatening, or when an opponent is considered extremely dangerous even to a fully trained Jedi.

Sai Tok ( "sai tock" )

Bisect

Jedi consider the bisection of a living opponent's body a form of butchery, a desecration to be avoided if possible. The savage extreme of sai tok is thus normally used only against non living things. Sai tok represents a potentially dark desire to destroy one's enemy, whereas the Jedi goal even in combat is inner focus on defeating the danger of opponents rather than hating them and wishing utter destruction upon them.

En-Guarde Positions

(The following are excerpts from an essay on Kenjitsu , and sheds light on the various ready stances exhibited by each of the lightsaber wielders of the SW universe )

All sword arts, from all cultures, have had 'en-guarde' positions. A position, a stance, an attitude, with which to present the sword in readiness. These positions provide maximum opportunity to act and react to the opponent. The same can be said of the Jedi; The closest existing style analog would be that of Japanese sword arts. Japanese en-guarde positions are called 'kamae'. They entail not just a physical position but a mental and emotional stance as well, so the word 'attitude' is a better description that just 'stance'. Force using jedi would also be highly aware of their emotional states, and those of their opponents, so the comparison with Japanese sword positions is even stronger.

They are not always static positions; Any 'kamae' can be used in transition. That is, during the fluid motions of the fight, the sword moves from one position to another THROUGH these positions. Imagine you have raised your sword above your head ready to strike, but paused because the opportunity was no-longer there, you are now in a 'high' kamae (Jodan). Imagine you have made a big downward cut, but missed. Your sword is now pointing towards the floor. You are now in the 'low' kamae (Gedan). If your sword is in Gedan, the low guard, and you turn your body to the left 180 degrees, BUT LEAVE YOUR SWORD WHERE IT IS, then you end up in the 'hidden' guard .. Waki, where your sword is held low, to your right, pointing at the ground behind you. To deliver a downwards cut, you would raise it up to over your head (the Jodan position) and then strike down to the Gedan position!

Chudan:

The basic position is the 'middle guard'. The sword is held pointing towards the throat of your opponent. The hilt is slightly in front of your stomach, and the point angles up at 30-45 degrees. All cuts may be made from this position. This is the most powerful position, as when it is correctly held, it presents the ultimate defence. Your opponent must get past your central position or he/she will impale themselves on your point! Classical Kendo techniques often revolve round methods for 'tricking' your opponent into surrendering this 'centre' position. When you see two masters jostling each others swords in this position, they are 'playing-for-centre', for the opportunity to attack. This attitude is 'level', that is there is nothing in it to indicate your emotion or intention to your opponent.

Gedan:

The low guard. The hands are in the same position, but the sword is lowered to point at the opponents knees. This is a weaker stance, it is often used to tempt the opponent into attacking. It is a submissive position, designed to look weak. Classic Kendo has no upwards cuts to make from here, and so this stance is rarely used (the only direct technique available is an upwards strike with the back of the blade to knock the opponents weapon aside). Older Japanese techniques might rotate the grip and generate a slightly diagonal upwards cut at the opponents hands. (when dealing with a weapon that can cut omnidirectionally, like a Lightsaber, the Gedan kame presents us with many more options than in traditional blade technique)

Jodan:

The upper guard. The sword is held over the head at about 45 degrees. The bottom of the handle points to the opponents eyes. This is a very aggressive stance ... there is very little time required to launch a downwards attack. However, this stance limits the techniques available, and makes your movements more predictable to your opponent. Jedi rarely seem to employ this stance as a static enguarde ... the blade is too quick to use, and a crossways slash across the belly could be used before the Jodan-player could react. As a result, Jodan is almost always seen in transition, in a split-second pause before a downwards attack.

Hasso:

The shoulder stance. In ancient times, Japanese Samurai wore very ornate helmets and large shoulder pads. As a result it became almost impossible to hold the sword over the head in Jodan. An alternative kamae was developed in which the sword was held upright, NEXT to the head, over the shoulder. The hands were held beside the jaw, and the elbows pointed downwards. Hasso is as aggressive a stance as Jodan, but seems a little more calm, and has more options available, as the hands are nearer to the body. This stance could be taken on either side of the head, though the right side was the more common. As with Jodan, Jedi tend to use this stance in transition. Jedi Masters habitually adopt HASSO NO KAME. This stance offers many of the advantages of JODAN, but with less risk.

Waki:

This is the hidden stance. The sword is held low, on the right side, with the blade pointing at the ground behind you. It is VERY rare in modern sword arts and always was! It is VERY slow to use, and requires that the opponent is in a blind unthinking rage. Even then it needs superb timing. Whilst it is a 'standard' kamae, and is taught in the curriculum (or kata) is was almost never used except in transition. If you are in the low Gedan kamae, and turn your body 180 degree to your left, leaving your sword where it is, you end up in Waki. Similar difficulties with regard to upwards cuts apply here, as in Gedan.(although this difficulty does not exist with lightsabers; unlike a Katana, a lightsaber can cut omnidirectionally)

TFC Canon