“This is the weapon of a Jedi Knight. Not as clumsy or as random as a blaster, but an elegant weapon for a more civilized age.” —Obi-Wan Kenobi

The lightsaber is the traditional, elegant weapon of the Jedi Knights in Star Wars. They play a vital role in the Star Wars fictional universe and feature in the movies, games and novels.

Lightsabers in the Star Wars universe

Lightsabers were invented somewhere around 9,990 BBY. Using "frozen blaster" technology, a stream of superheated plasma is contained within a force field and projected from the weapon's hilt into the shape of a blade of pure energy. The beam destroys matter on contact, and can cut through almost anything solid, except another lightsaber blade and other force fields.

The first Archaic Lightsabers were developed as a siege weapon. These required a separate power pack which was often worn on the back. The power sources and components were miniaturized in the construction to create the simple weapon used in the later era. Using a lightsaber in combat takes skill, confidence and dexterity. Attunement to the Force is very helpful as well.

In the original film trilogy, lightsabers were limited to blue and green for the Jedi, while red-bladed lightsabers were associated with Dark Jedi Knights or Sith. The various expanded universe (EU) sources and the prequel films opened up the spectrum of blade colors to include (among others) purple, viridian, orange, silver, bronze and yellow. Obi-Wan Kenobi primarily wielded a blue-bladed lightsaber, while Mace Windu famously uses a purple-bladed lightsaber, which can be seen as a consequence of its mastery in borderline-dark-side Form VII of lightsaber combat. The color of a lightsaber's blade is dependent upon the crystals used to focus it. Blue-bladed lightsabers are often associated with Jedi Guardians; green-bladed lightsabers are usually associated with Jedi Consulars; yellow-bladed lightsabers are associated with Jedi Sentinels; lavender-bladed lightsabers are associated with Jedi Healers; and red-bladed lightsabers are more closely associated with the Sith.

The very rare Great Lightsaber, similar to a standard lightsaber, had focusing crystals and a power supply producing a blade up to 300 centimeters in length. The rare Dual-Phase Lightsaber is any lightsaber constructed to operate at two different blade lengths. Darth Vader's lightsaber is an example of this, as he has buttons on his hilt allowing him to change the blade length at will. The Electrum Lightsaber are lightsabers with hilts forged from electrum. There are also variant lightsabers with shorter handles and blades (known as Short Lightsabers) that can be wielded as offhand secondary weapons or as the primary lightsaber of a small Jedi like Yoda. The Double-Bladed Lightsaber or Saber-Staff is a unique variant in which the handle is about three times the length of a standard lightsaber and has two beam emitters; one at each end. The beams can be activated and deactivated independantly, allowing for a lot of versatility. This type of lightsaber was first seen being wielded by the Sith Apprentice Darth Maul in Star Wars: Episode I. In the video game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, the Jedi Bastila also used one of these rare and dangerous weapons. In the Expanded Universe the double-bladed lightsaber was invented by Exar Kun. As such a preference for a double-bladed lightsaber has been considered a warning sign that a Jedi may fall to the Dark Side. When a Jedi was trained on Dantooine during the period of the Sith Wars building a double-bladed lightsaber wasn't an option. By the time of the Clone Wars no Jedi used a double-bladed lightsaber, suggesting that the stigma attached to them had still not been forgotten. It is interesting to note, however, that in the computer game Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy, upon reaching a certain point, the main character is allowed to discard the standard single-bladed saber and create a double-bladed one for their own use with no repercussions, perhaps a sign that it's dark reputation is diminishing in favor of its efficiency in battle.

History

Lightsabers are the principal weapon of the Jedi but are also used by the Sith. After the extermination of the Jedi, lightsabers became rare relics. Their use is usually restricted to the Jedi, partially because it is too dangerous for an unskilled user, but also partly because, for non-Jedi, blasters are more effective. However, lightsabers remain prized by some collectors, and some black market sales do occur.

Typically a Jedi is given his lightsaber on his first day of training. Jedi Masters emphasise that the lightsaber is a measure of progress for an apprentice as lightsaber techniques take great skill and concentration. It is considered a final test for a Jedi student to be able to construct their own lightsaber.

• The crystal is the heart of the blade.
• The heart is the crystal of the Jedi.
• The Jedi is the crystal of the Force.
• The Force is the blade of the heart.
•  
• All are intertwined:
• The crystal, The blade, The Jedi.
•  
• You are one.

—Speech made during lightsaber construction ceremony
"Clone Wars Micro Series" (Cartoon Network)

Training

A deviation created by the Jedi Order from standard lightsabers, the training lightsabers helped train apprentices in the use of a standard lightsaber. Training lightsabers are similar to a standard lightsaber. However, the power is greatly diminished and the size is reduced, similar to Yoda's lightsaber. Training sabers are usually pink in color. Training lightsabers are used in combat education in the Jedi academy of the Old Republic. While these lightsabers are intentionally nonlethal, contact with the blade is highly painful and may be fatal.

Use

In the hands of someone trained to use the Force, a lightsaber is a powerful and versatile tool. In the hands of the untrained, however, it is far more of a danger to the user, mainly because only the hilt has mass in any detectable amount, making it difficult to judge the position of the blade accurately during use. Also, the arcing of the blade back along itself generates a gyroscopic force causing instability in the hands of the untrained, easily seen in Luke Skywalker's first experience with a lightsaber in Episode IV. A lightsaber can cut through anything (blast doors and enemies alike) except another lightsaber blade (why this is is conspicuously unexplained). The only known exceptions to this rule are: the cortosis ore, capable of repelling or even shorting out a lightsaber blade (as shown in the novel I, Jedi and the video game Knights of the Old Republic), an unnamed metal superconductor used for ship armour hundreds of years before the Empire (as shown in the novel Shatterpoint by Matthew Stover), so-called Mandalorian Armor (as shown in Tales of the Jedi: Dark Lords of the Sith comic), and certain types of energy shields. Cortosis ore sets up a feedback loop in the lightsaber blade assembly which shuts it down. In the novel series Jedi Apprentice it is shown that a lightsaber blade will short out if it comes in contact with water, however a specially designed saber such as Kit Fisto's can be used underwater effectively.

Using the Force, a Jedi can use his lightsaber to deflect and reflect incoming energy attacks. Lightsabers are melee weapons but can also be thrown for a ranged attack and recalled through psychokinesis, a basic Jedi skill. There are many different 'styles' of lightsaber fighting, including (but not limited to) Darth Vader's 'heavy' style, which incorporates large and forceful sweeping attacks. There is also the basic 'medium' stance, the first one learned in Jedi training. Average in defense as well as offense, it is the most common stance. Last is the 'light' style, emphasizing quick, brutal slashing attacks.

There are also the more 'exotic' ways of wielding the lightsaber as a weapon, such as the rare double-bladed lightsaber style, as seen used by Darth Maul in Episode I: The Phantom Menace. One of the rarest styles of lightsaber use is dual-wielding them. Used briefly in Episode II: Attack of The Clones and in Episode III: Revenge of the Sith by the young Anakin Skywalker, as well as in an animated miniseries, this style incorporates blinding fast attacks and devastating sweeps, but each individual swing is weak and easily deflected. While not really unique styles, some more experienced Jedi choose to wield their lightsabers in non-conventional ways, such as backhanded or half-backhanded.

Construction details

The lightsaber is made up of a short polished metallic cylindrical tube (30 centimetres) that emits a beam of pure anti-proton that acts as a sword blade. All lightsabers contain some common basic components:

• A handgrip
• An activation stud plate
• A safety switch
• An emitter matrix
• A lens assembly (focusing crystal)
• A blade-length adjuster (only on Dual-Phase Lightsabers)
• A power cell
• A power conduit
• A recharge socket
• A belt ring (optional)

Lightsabers are powered from the control studs by a circuits channel and focusing crystal found only in nature on the planet Ilum. Before 1,000 BBY, the Jedi also used crystals from the planet Ruusan. This appears to be a matter of tradition rather than necessity, as there are examples of crystals from elsewhere in the galaxy being used effectively in lightsabers. Since the Jedi control the supply of suitable crystals, the Sith use synthetic crystals that generate a red blade. Some of the early Sith had other blade colors, but as fallen Jedi they might have re-used the crystals of their old lightsabers. Shadows of the Empire has Luke Skywalker using a synthetic crystal in his lightsaber construction. Luke built a lightsaber with a green blade, implying that the Sith intentionally construct their crystals to produce a red blade. Green blades can also be created from crystals from the gaseous planet of Yavin.

The Dual-Phase Lightsaber used crystals that handle differing power level requirements. These are wired to the diatium power cell, which acts like an energy source for the lightsaber. The hilt of this lightsaber rotates in such a way that it aligns the crystals, which doubles the length of the lightsaber and changes the color. Users of this lightsaber type include Anakin Skywalker, Micah Giiett, Gantoris, and Corran Horn.

A Double-Bladed Lightsaber or Lightstaff is essentially two lightsabers in a single oversized hilt. It is a very difficult weapon to handle, but extremely dangerous in the hands of a master. Notable users of double-bladed lightsabers are the Sith Lord Exar Kun and Sith Apprentice Darth Maul. Kun's lightsaber was both double-bladed and dual-phase.

When the activator is pushed, internal power cells create photoelectric energy and the blade is focused from the crystal. A tight beam of anti-protons appear on command which is focused through one, two, or three multi-faceted crystals. The activation button energizes the weapon forming a positively-charged shaft of coherent packets of anti-proton energy about a meter long. The anti-protons are attracted back to the saber hilt by a negatively-charged, high-energy flux aperture. The anti-proton packets are recycled to create the glowing blade by a power cell superconductor. The saber hums and scintillates with a distinct sound and has a shimmering blade. The entire functioning processes are completely contained and self-regenerative.

In reality anti-protons are negatively charged so, the shaft should be negatively-charged and they should be attracted back using a positively-charged, high-energy flux aperture.

The typical design of the hilt is generally a straight tube. Count Dooku however, preferred a curved hilt.

Also, according to the EU novel I, Jedi, there were myths at one point that the lightsaber was powered by the Jedi's connection to the Force. However, records preserved by Corran Horn's grandfather Rostek Horn indicate that the Force is only used at the end of construction. Once all the pieces are assembled, the Jedi uses the Force to meld them on a molecular or lower level, permitting unheard-of energy efficiency. This efficiency is what allows the blades to remain lit and active for long periods of time. The only real energy drain is when the blade comes into contact with something.

Sometimes certain events necessitated a change in a Jedi's preferred weapon. A Jedi would modify the lightsaber or construct a new one to suit the demands of the situation at hand, such as with Mace Windu and his lightsaber after the Battle of Naboo. It is, however, an unrevealed occurrence that made him build a new lightsaber in the ten year period between The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones.

Concordance of Fealty

“Master Eeth Koth, I have something to return to you. It is a product of your own hands which you once entrusted to mine. In returning this lightsaber, I return your trust.” —Master Windu

The Jedi tradition of entrusting one's lightsaber to a fellow member of the order is called the Concordance of Fealty. This exchange represents a bond between companions of the Force and imparts a sense of support in battle. A Jedi is graced by such a gesture from a respected friend.

Lightsaber combat is the fictional style of lightsaber fighting used by Jedi and Sith in the Star Wars franchise. They are never mentioned directly in the released Star Wars films, but the details of the saber styles are explored in novelizations as well as expanded universe sources such as the novels, magazines, comic books, the Star Wars Role-playing Game and "Visual Dictionaries."

The stage combat used in the films are a combination of Kendo, Iaido, and occidental sword work such as Fencing.

The seven forms of lightsaber combat

Each Jedi chooses the style of lightsaber combat that best suits him or her. For example, Master Yoda uses the Ataru form to compensate for his lack of reach and height; Mace Windu uses Vaapad to tap into his anger and employ it constructively (albeit without giving himself over to the Dark Side); Count Dooku's practice of the Makashi form fits first of all his intention to frequently engage in lightsaber-to-lightsaber combat and second his emphasis on class and elegance as well as precision. The Jedi Exile was a practitioner of some of these forms but never excelled in just one.

Form I: Shii-Cho

As the weapons technology of the lightsaber was developed, the need for a form of combat arose. Thus Form I, also called Way of the Sarlacc, was born. Ancient sword-fighting traditions held key principles of blade combat that were implemented by early Jedi Masters in the rather basic technical tactics of Form I.

Form I, like its succeeding forms, includes the following basic techniques and concepts:

• attack
• parry
• body target zones
• training drills called velocities

Younglings, the Jedi initiate rank, first learn Form I before they begin a Padawan apprenticeship with a Jedi Master. In Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, the Younglings can be seen being taught by Yoda to deflect light plasma shots.

The only known practitioner in the Star Wars Universe of Form I is Kit Fisto. Though Kit Fisto was a masterful practitioner of Form I, it could not defeat Darth Sidious in Revenge of the Sith.

Form II: Makashi

After Form I's proliferation as a saber combat technique, Form II or Way of the Ysalamiri came about as a means of lightsaber-to-lightsaber combat. It is described as being very elegant, powerful, and requiring extreme precision. The blade manipulation required for this form is very refined and requires much focus, but the results are extremely powerful.

In the time near the Clone Wars, the Jedi Order seldom practices this technique. There is, if at all, so little lightsaber-to-lightsaber combat involved in a Jedi's life that Jedi Masters have found it impractical.

Darth Tyranus (also known as Count Dooku), from Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, has mastered Form II to the highest degree, fighting with the precision built into the ancient technique. When he wields this form, it devastates the Jedi; the system of Jedi training at the time of confrontation between Darth Tyranus and other Jedi does not prepare the Jedi for the precise movements of a form bred for lightsaber duelling.

This style is based on the Spanish style of fencing, "La Destreza Verdadera," which is often called the dance of sabres or the swords of truth; this style is fluid yet very rigid.

Form III: Soresu

After Darth Maul's defeat on Naboo, Obi-Wan Kenobi decided to perfect his practice of Form III lightsaber combat, the most defensive of all of the forms, since Qui-Gon Jinn, Kenobi's master and Form IV practitioner, fell against Darth Maul.

Form III, the Way of the Mynock, was originally developed to counteract the advancing blaster technology throughout the galaxy. Those to whom the Jedi were mainly opposed usually wielded blasters now; the Jedi needed to find a method to defend that could not be replicated or be counteracted by the Jedi's blaster-wielding enemies.

The need to deflect blaster bolts inspired the technique in Form III. It is very defensive; utilizing motions occurring very close to the body to achieve a nearly total protection, efficiently expending as little energy as possible to execute those moves. This technique exposes as little body target zone open areas as is possible, making a well-trained practitioner nearly invincible. Practitioners of Soresu comfortably remain on the defensive until their opponents tire or make a mistake, only then do they strike offensively. Luminara Unduli is also a practitioner of this form.

Form IV: Ataru

The master practitioners of the Way of the Hawk-Bat make extensive use of acrobatic maneuvers often thought not physically possible. Qui-Gon Jinn and Yoda were both masters of Form IV, as shown in their duels against Darth Maul and Count Dooku, respectively. Obi-Wan Kenobi, though already very advanced, abandoned his Ataru training in favor of Form III because he felt that his master's death demonstrated a fatal flaw in this form, but Kenobi used Ataru again to face Anakin Skywalker, now Darth Vader, in their ultimate battle on Mustafar in Revenge of the Sith. Aayla Secura is also a master of Ataru, according to Jan Duursema, who co-created the Twi'lek Jedi; Quinlan Vos had taught Aayla Form IV. Palpatine used a Sith variant of this form, which included stabs and wide swings.

In dire situations, Form IV practitioners use the Force to aid in their acrobatics. Spinning, jumping and running very fast and very high, masters of Form IV are sometimes only seen as a blur. In order to achieve the acrobatic prowess, amazing reflexes and physical punch of this form, a Jedi Master would focus on the Force, letting it flow deeply throughout his entire physicality, even allowing him to overcome the limitations of old age.

Form V: Shien / Djem So

Form V is a powerful style developed by Form III practitioners that preferred a more offensive angle. The defensive nature of Form III often leads to dangerously prolonged combat. This style came about from combining Forms II and III. The maxim "peace through superior firepower" encompasses the philosophy of Form V, also called the Way of the Krayt Dragon. Anakin, both as himself and as Darth Vader, and Luke Skywalker are both practitioners of Form V, as well as Aayla Secura.

Form V maintains its existence through having sufficient defensive skills, as derived from Form III, but channelling defense into offense. The example is commonly used that while Form III combatants effortlessly deflect laser bolts, Form V practitioners excel at redirecting the laser bolt toward the opponent. This simultaneously defends the user and efficiently injures the opponent.

Vader also created his own variant of Form V, where he would use only one hand to strike and defend, and have the other held casually by his side. This can be seen at the start of the duel in The Empire Strikes Back.

With the aggressive but yet refined movements of Form II and the highly defensive postures of Form III, Shien / Djem So has been proven to be an effective style.

Form VI: Niman

The Way of the Rancor, Form VI was the standard style at and around the time period of the Clone Wars and the Great Jedi Purge. This combat discipline is often called the "Diplomat's Form." One can see this in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones when many of the saber-wielders on Geonosis are killed. In fact, all of the Jedi using Form VI were killed at the Battle of Geonosis, including the Form VI practitioner Coleman Trebor, whose Form VI could not defend against Jango Fett's masterfully placed blaster shots.

Form VI attempts to balance all elements of lightsaber combat, combining the Forms that came before into a less intensely demanding combat style. The result is that the users' skill in each individual areas of lightsaber combat is only moderate, making Form VI well suited for diplomats, as they can spend their time training in the areas of politics and negotiation instead of combat training.

Form VII: Juyo

Dubbed the Way of the Vornskr, Form VII was an incomplete form for millennia. It was further developed by Jedi Master Mace Windu, who could complete it with his "Vaapad" fighting style. The most challenging and demanding of all forms, Form VII requires extreme, intense focus, high levels of skill, and mastery of other forms. Only three Jedi have ever mastered Vaapad fully: Mace Windu, Depa Billaba, and Sora Bulq, who instructed Quinlan Vos in a few of its basics. Sora Bulq helped Windu develop Vapaad, but he proved too weak to master the flow of the Light and Dark Sides, and fell to the Dark Side. In this way, Vapaad mastered him.

Intrepid, somewhat direct movements are used in combination with very advanced techniques involving Force-powered jumps and motions. Form VII does not appear as fancy as Form IV, but the technical details of it use very open movements resulting in a very unpredictable battle style.

Form VII demands the emotional and physical intensity of Form V, but it much more effectively controls it (if mastered). Form VII, when fully mastered, results in extraordinary power.

However, Vaapad borders on the edge of falling to the Dark Side, as it channels one's anger and darkness into the attack. Only Windu's mastery and concentration of the Light Side prevents him from succumbing, which is why Vaapad is rarely practiced and very dangerous. The two other known practitioners of Vaapad, Sora Bulq and Depa Billaba, both fell to the Dark Side of the Force.

Darth Maul used a variant of this form coupled with his knowledge of martial prowess.

Other forms of lightsaber combat

These forms are not considered a part of the seven main forms, and they may not necessarily be official. They are mostly based on other forms, with the exception of Form Zero, which emphasized avoiding conflict whenever possible.

Form VIII: Sokan

Developed by the ancient Jedi Knights during the Great Sith War, Sokan combined tactics that allowed for evasion and mobility with the kinetic motions of Form IV combat. Sokan involved swift strokes of the lightsaber, which were aimed towards the opponent's vital areas in addition to quick tumbles and movements. Combatants made use of large amounts of terrain, trying to maneuver their opponents into vulnerable areas during the course of battles that involved Sokan techniques.

Form IX: Shien

Shien uniquely involves a Jedi holding the lightsaber horizontally. The Jedi pointed the end of the blade at the opponent; it was swung in a fast arc while the Jedi punched his or her saber-hand at his or her opposing combatant. (This is not to be confused with Form V: Shien / Djem So.)

Form X: Niman

The dual saber Niman permitted a Jedi to fight with two lightsabers, one in each hand, as seen in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones by Anakin Skywalker. One of the blades in the wielder's hands was used for attacking while the other one was used for defending, such as parrying, or for more offensive power. Many Jedi trained to use the Niman style in the hopes of gaining a basic knowledge of the dual-bladed attack, but very few Jedi ever totally mastered Niman. Serra Keto and Sora Bulq were practitioners of Form X; it is also possible that Darth Revan may have been a master of this Form. (This Niman was not to be confused with the Form VI Niman.)

Form "Zero"

Not an actual form of lightsaber combat per se, Form Zero is the idea that a Jedi should know when to use their lightsaber and when to find another means to solve a problem. This was defined by Master Yoda to address the need of the Jedi to restrain themselves when tempted to use "Aggressive Negotiations," and instead use another well-developed Jedi skill, such as the Jedi mind trick (http://starwars.wikicities.com/wiki/Mind_trick).

Dun möch

The Sith aimed to completely dominate an opponent's spirit through whatever means possible by employing their own lightsaber combat doctrine. Dun möch commonly involved spoken taunts, jeers, and jests that exposed the opponent's hidden, inner weaknesses and/or doubts. Other variations on dun möch involved usage of the Force to throw large, weighty objects at the Sith's opponent during combat, which both distracts the opponent from the battle and could potentially cause damage. Darth Vader uses this against Luke Skywalker in The Empire Strikes Back. Count Dooku and Darth Sidious use it against Jedi Master Yoda in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, respectively.

Saber throw

The Jedi or Sith employ an attack in rare instances to use the cutting power of their lightsabers for an object at an unreachable location called the saber throw, or a throwing of his or her lightsaber. The lightsaber is thrown; the blade tip spins in a circular motion about the hilt; and the saber hits its target, usually to cut it. Skilled practitioners will use the Force to manipulate the trajectory of the lightsaber and then redirect it back to their hand.

• When Yoda fought his way into the Jedi Temple in Revenge of the Sith, he used this technique to kill an attacking clone trooper.
• When Luke Skywalker jumped atop a suspended catwalk in Return of the Jedi, Darth Vader threw his lightsaber to bring the catwalk crashing to the ground; some say that Darth Vader lacked the physique, speed, and Force power to jump atop the catwalk himself to continue the duel, while others count this as an example of his mastery of many techniques of the Force, confusing and intimidating his younger, less knowledgeable opponent; a third opinion states that Vader tried to avoid fighting an opponent on higher ground, given the outcome of his first battle with Obi-Wan Kenobi.
• In video and computer games featuring lightsabers such as Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast, Knights of the Old Republic, and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, this is a common technique.

The unorthodox

Several techniques fall outside the traditional and practiced forms of the Jedi. Characters, such as General Grievous in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, can employ more varied movements. His attacks are intended to misdirect and confuse traditionally trained sword fighters. Grievous is exceptionally capable at this due to the flexibility of his joints, robotic reflexes, and his many limbs. Only the most experienced and talented of Jedi can withstand his attacks. For example, Grievous can hold one lightsaber in each of his four hands, spinning two of them very rapidly in front of him, acting as a shield. Grievous uses this against Obi-Wan on Utapau, but Obi-Wan manages to strike through the whirling lightsaber shield.

Another unique lightsaber style is that of Adi Gallia (a victim of Grievous), who holds her saber with a one-handed reverse grip.

Maneuvers and marks of combat

All seven 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 combat

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.

Cho mak

A cho mak is the act of cutting off an opponent's limb, such as a humanoid's leg.

Cho sun

The term cho sun is used to describe the move used to cut off an opponent's weapon arm.

Sai cha

The term sai cha is used to describe the rare instance when a Jedi beheads his or her opponent.

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 torso at the waist. It is performed by Jedi Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi against Darth Maul in The Phantom Menace.

Shiak

The term shiak is used to describe the honorable action of stabbing an opponent.

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.

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.

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.

Kai-kan

Not a maneuver per se, but 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.

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.

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.