The Basics of Lightsaber Combat

[Lord Iezkon]

The Basics of Lightsaber Training

A Brief History of the Lightsaber

In the modern day, we have lightweight and efficient lightsabers which harbour all of their components inside the hilt, including their power supplies. This was not always the case. Where we now have sleek, internal power supplies to our sabers, we once had heavy, cumbersome, external power packs. This early lightsaber - also known as a protosaber - was the first  iteration used, and we still see its influence in lightsaber combat to this day: Shii-Cho was created at first with this more unwieldy weapon, and maintains the moveset to this day.

As time moved forwards, the protosaber was refined to what we know today as the modern lightsaber, and forms were created that are not rooted in a heavy, sword-like bladework, but in lightweight, efficient and energy conserving movements. For example, the use of simple, wide, full-body movements in Shii-Cho was, at the time, necessary to wield either the swords or protosabers that were available to early practitioners. While these are not necessary today - as exemplified by forms such as Makashi - they remain the cornerstone from which lightsaber combat was built, for it was not possible to wield a protosaber like you would a lightsaber.

This is all that will be said on this topic within this document, as this is intended to be a brief introduction for those who know not how to properly utilise the training and combat techniques illustrated below - however, one cannot discuss the training of the blade without a quick discussion on its history.

The Body Target Zones

There are six body Target Zones which must be considered in Lightsaber training; these are not essential or useful in live combat, but must be considered in the early days of training with the blade. There are numbered as follows:

1. Head
   
2. Right arm and Side
   
3. Left arm and Side
   
4. Back and Torso
   
5. Right leg
   
6. Left leg
   

There is little to be said about these, but being familiar with each Zone and being well versed in how to both attack and defend these zones on one’s opponents leaves them well placed to wield a blade with skill.

The Marks of Contact

There are nine basic Marks of Contact within Lightsaber Combat, they are named as follows:

• Shiim
  
• Shiak
  
• Cho Mok
  
• Cho Mai
  
• Cho Sun
  
• Sun Djem
  
• Sai Cha
  
• Sai Tok
  
• Mou Kei
  

This section intends to go into detail of each, their uses and applications, mainly within Shii-Cho, and variations within them.

First, the Shiim, which is characterised in superficial wounds created by light cuts with the Lightsaber. These can be used in any number of ways, but are an efficient way of seeing an opponent crippled with burns and excruciating pain when the practitioner does not desire to kill them outright. Within Ideal Form Shii-Cho, this Mark of Contact lends itself to use on the upper body of the opponent, such wounds can be debilitatingly painful. Within more advanced Live Combat Shii-Cho, this Mark of Contact can be used on any part of the opponent’s body. The use of the Sarlacc Sweep often revolves around Shiim strikes, intending to ‘catch’ as many enemies as possible with one wide sweep.

Next, the Shiak, the well known act of stabbing one’s opponent. This is quite commonly seen in Form II: Makashi, but can find use in any of the other six forms also. Shii-Cho does not naturally lend itself to the Shiak, as the wide, sweeping motions do not complement the direct elegance of the stabbing motion. Regardless, this Mark of Contact can be used in a number of ways. One being to inflict debilitating injuries by utilising a Shiak to an arm or leg. However, the ‘classic’ use of the Shiak within Sith duelling is the archetypal lightsaber through the chest, often inflicted immediate death unless the strike is properly defended against.

We now move into looking at the ‘Cho’ Marks of Contact, which are the dismemberment techniques. These are the Cho Mok, Cho Mai, and Cho Sun. The first, Cho Mok, is the act of removing an opponent’s limb - this being either of the legs, or the non-weapon-holding hand of the opponent. Then, Cho Mai is the act of removing your opponent’s weapon hand specifically. Then, Cho Sun is the removal of the weapon arm, rather than the hand alone. These are highly useful, and can often leave your opponent debilitated or disarmed, creating easy pickings to be removed from the battle - through death or capture as necessary.

The Sun Djem is a direct attack to your opponent’s weapon. This can very much be styled in whichever way you deem appropriate. Also used as the Disarming Slash, the intent is to see your opponent weaponless and thus easier to remove from battle. The aim can be to deactivate or destroy the weapon, or to see it ripped from the opponent’s grasp. In many cases, the latter is done with such force and precision that fingers are removed from the enemy’s hand, along with their weapon. This simple technique, when used appropriately, can be incredibly effective in weakening, and subsequently defeating, your enemies.

Next, we have the Sai Cha, which is the act of decapitating your opponent. This is not the most efficient mode of death, but it is incredibly satisfying to see an enemy’s head fall from their soldiers, be they organic or droid. However, this can also be used as a tactic to force your opponent to give up ground: the threat of decapitation is enough to see anyone back away, unless they are truly confident in their ability to defend against such a strike.

The penultimate Mark of Contact we will discuss is the Sai Tok. This is the simple act of bisecting your enemy. More often than not, this bisection occurs horizontally - usually at the waist, but sometimes higher - but on rare occasions it is possible to see an opponent cut in half vertically. While rare, and tricky to pull off, this is not impossible. Though, the horizontal bisection must occur at the waist or above, otherwise we move into the category of Mou Kei, which will be discussed shortly. A brutal and efficient means of removing life from an enemy, the Sai Tok is a staple of lightsaber combat for this very reason.

Finally, we have the Mou Kei, the act of removing multiple limbs from an opponent in one fell swoop. This can occur in a very similar manner to the Sai Tok described above, simply occurring below the waist as removal of the legs. However, it can also be used to remove an arm and a leg, or one arm and two legs, in a single movement. Tricky to pull off, for most targets will be moving, and attempting to defend themselves, but when completed, this move leaves opponents debilitated and unable to continue fighting - either through pain or disability.

(*Post by Eddi Arkiti.*)