Swordsmanship,+Shii-cho

Form I Shii-Cho "Way of the Sarlacc" or "Determination Form" (By Sam)(ael) (Return to Swordsmanship)

Noteable Practitioners : -Kit Fisto (Though nearly all practitioners incorporated elements of shii-Cho into their techniques.)

Philosophy and History : Due to its simplicity, Shii-Cho was often the first form taught, so almost all lightsaber duelists included some aspect of Shii-Cho in their swordplay. During the Old Jedi Order, Younglings started out by learning Form I before beginning a Padawan apprenticeship with a Jedi Master. It was done so, because, as Kreia commented, Form I was one of the easiest forms to learn, yet still powerful. Their training included learning to deflect plasma bolts from training remotes while being blindfolded or covered up by a practice helmet. Lightsaber instructors such as Yoda and Cin Drallig taught Form I to thousands of students during their Jedi careers. Obi-Wan Kenobi commented on Form I as wild, raw, and deadly, requiring much emotional heat and Kit Fisto noted how hard it was to control the pull of Form I, disabling opponents rather than killing them; however, Kenobi sometimes did infuse elements of Shii-Cho into his swordplay. Dooku himself commented Shii-Cho swordplay as deliberate as a lumberdroid, moving step by step, cutting off the angles, clumsy but relentlessly dogged; in his own words, "Too slow... too predictable." Shii-Cho form was most effective in situations with multiple opponents and did not offer many techniques for blocking blaster bolts or dueling one lightsaber wielding opponent. Nonetheless, Shii-Cho was an effective form to fall back on when no other form would do to suit the current combat situation.

Posture : Shii-Cho practitioners hold their sword with two hands and use any number of stances.

Tactics : The strength of Shii-Cho is its simplicity. It has only five basic attacks and six defenses. Because of this and the simplicity of each move the practitioner is free to pursue tactics instead of focusing on completing difficult movements. In Shii-Cho the Practitioner carefully and steadily pushes towards their objective. When they are attacking or escaping they focus on the best way out or in and push determinedly. Occasionally they also use more advanced velocities which are fast combinations of moves used to attack or defend. Velocities are usually aimed at attacking a certain spot, pushing an opponent back, pushing a circle of opponents back (to give space), defending the practitioner from a similar flurry, or charging certain types of opponents or terrain. The beauty and tactics are that it doggedly pursues you, cutting off retreats, battering you, and pushing you until you can't do anything about it. At worst it can ward off a better opponent well enough to escape or last longer because the defenses aren't complicated. It is heavily emphasized that when a Practitioner spends too much time on learning velocities for this form and neglects it's simplicity, they lose the strength of this form.

Physics of the Form : Shii-Cho is the most basic form of lightsaber combat and has no 'special moves' per say. However the Lightsaber form is incorporated into virtually every single practitioner's form in some way. It uses a two-handed grip for strength and maximum flexibility and balance combined. In many ways, Shii-Cho is a Form devoted to following the basics with art instead of skill alone.

Practice : Step 1 : In order to do well in this Form you should practice each specific attack and each specific defense many, many, many times until they flow effortlessly from one move to another as fast as you can think of them.

Step 2 : Then you should have a friend attack you quickly with several different attacks until you can flow from defense to defense without thought. After you can do that you should be able to add attacks in at the right moments.

Step 3 : Once you have completed the other two steps you should practice pushing your opponent(s) and blocking off any escape routes. Once you can do this well you should learn a few velocities to aid you in your combat.

Velocities : -Sol-Ban: This velocity is a purely forward attack velocity designed to surprise and beat your opponent or brake a stale-mate. Attack 6 powerful Attack 1 (step forward) Attack 2 (Quick and small step forward) Attack 3 Attack 2

-Tel-For: This Velocity is to clear space, especially when fighting several opponents. Sweeping left, attack 3 (till you have turned 90 degrees) 180 degree turn, small hop, powerful attack 1 Sweeping right, attack 2 (till you have turned 90 degrees)

For more information please follow this link http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Form_I:_Shii-Cho (Return to Swordsmanship)