Form I: Shii-Cho

From the Encyclopedia of Speculative Fiction - http://encyclopedia.wizards.pro

Form I: Shii-Cho was the first form of the seven forms of lightsaber combat.

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, a set of attacks aimed at different body zones
• parry, a set of blocks to thwart any attack in the specified body zones
• body target zones (1, head, 2, left arm, 3, right arm, 4, back, 5, left leg, 6, right leg)
• 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 of Form I is Kit Fisto. Though Kit Fisto was a masterful practitioner of Form I, he could not defeat Darth Sidious with it. The Shii-Cho form is good versus many enemies, and blaster-wielding enemies, but weak versus a single enemy, a lightsaber-wielding enemy and Force powers. Its simplicity is its strength, making it a very good style to use if all else fails.

For more Information on lightsaber combat, and a list of Sources see lightsaber combat.