Saber Forum

My friends and I often talk about what Star Wars fighting style each individual appears closest to when we duel. Do you do this, and what style do you think you are closest to? What features of the fighting style do you think are most important in deciding what to call it? Since there's no 100% real version of any Star Wars lightsaber form, there's not really a 100% right or wrong answer to this, so I'm jsut interested in opinions.
I'm told that I appear to use form 5, or something close to it. The stance isn't the same, since I was trained differently, but I tend to keep my lightsaber more extended out toward my opponent to take advantage of the length of my arms. I sometimes switch to, or use parts of what appear to be 2 and 7 as well. I use something like form 2 when fighting an opponent who is tuel weilding, though I have no fencing training, and it makes me uncomfortable to fight like this.
So what lightsaber form do you think you're closest to? Why?

My friends generally pin me as a form III user. I tend to agree. I play defense and let my opponent tucker them self out. It's USUALLY enough to stop the normal use of their attacks without strategy. Although I'm usually dodging more than blocking...  ;D I have to agree with them though. I do try to use Soresu more than anything.

I do my best to convert my Kempo techniques into sword forms as often as possible.  Makes a much more comfortable approach and doesn't limit me to a certain Star Wars style of fighting.  My personal opinion is to find what works and what you are comfortable with and use it to the best of your advantage.   

Soresu. as my sparring partner is stupidly agressive, thiis seems to be the only way to keep him off me. however, i intend to surprise him with a sudden jdem so strike every now and then, interrupt his flow.

Well, since the Star Wars Forms are more philosophical than anything, I'd say we all use all of them.  Just at different times.

That said, if I had to say for myself, I use a combination of Forms 2, 3, 4, and 5.  Yea, yea, I know.  That's basically Niman.  But I don't really view it that way.  I'm not specifically TRYING to learn all 5 previous forms.  I just happen to use bits and pieces of them here and there. 

I'm best with just a Shii-cho form very basic but effective you use more energy on the attack than show off moves. I do alot of practice and I find new ways each time to spice up my fighting form tho I try to be sure to not go off my style too much.

I tend to be a combination of form 2 and 3. My partner that I always duel is an aggressive form 5 and 7 user so I use form 3 by necessity. I use form 2 to attack. My partner isn't skilled enough to block precise jabs or flourishes so it usually works.

I'm a large guy, 5'11'' weighing in at two hundred and *cough**sneeze**hack**Denial* pounds. I tend to go for styles that eat up battleground and limit an opponents movements and options. I tend to push them back or try to get through, I'm also better with groups.

So it should come as no real surprise that I'm a Shii Cho specialist. When I get up close, I usually go for Djem So, using my size and weight to ward off blows and force and opponent down.

The thing I like about Shii-cho it is the most accurate in attack and is very powerful. And I have been practicing everyday it's a very nice strong form.

Here's the thing, I've always viewed the Forms as philosophies to use when approaching combat, so applying them to personal styles is something I can do fairly easily.  It's not always terribly cut and dry (no pun intended), but for the most part you can narrow it down by asking yourself, "what is my main method of winning?"

I'll relate it to fencing, my sport and martial art of choice.

I've fenced tons and tons of different people - men and women, young and old, skilled and unskilled, experienced and novice.  One thing I've noticed is that everyone seems to have a comfort zone that they resort to when pressed.  For some this is offense, for others it is defense.  It is this niche that, in my eyes, gives away a fighter's preference in Form.  Now I wouldn't dare recommend that you use this indication as a surefire thing, merely as a fun way to classify you and your friends in these "nerd terms."

One example is my girlfriend.  Some of you know that she fences, but few of you probably know that it's actually how I met her (through the varsity fencing team that I now coach).  Regardless, she has always had a problem pushing her opponent, and instead prefers to yield and give ground in order to lure them in.  This isn't always a good thing, but neither is it a bad practice necessarily - so long as one's defense is active enough to keep your foe from dominating the fight entirely.  Based on this tendency of hers, I would say that she is a Soresu practitioner.  The argument could be made that she uses Makashi, since she is a fencer, and I will agree that her primary offense is stabs.  However, the philosophy she employs in combat is much more aligned with that of Soresu.

I have a more give and take style, and while I clearly have a Makashi base (controlling the opponent, using small and precise stabs and cuts), I would definitely say that I employ philosophical elements of Soresu and Djem So at times.

Point. 

 
My stock answer to this question is "lightsaber combat".
Oramac and Master Nero have already summed up why.



Point !!!

I say just play with the styles make them your own find a comfortable saber and form and add something new that you'd like to try Shii-cho with soreasu or any mixture you prefer but balance defense and offence.

My primary art is Aikido.  So, my bokken work is very basic and straight forward.  So, I consider myself a Shii-Cho practitioner.  No flashy moves.  No overly offensive or defensive combinations.  Just being able to move forward while providing a balance of offense and defense.

I practice hema (mainly longsword) and could see a ton of longsword techniques used with lightsabers. Binding and winding, back edge striking and plenty of disengaging thrusts. Now that there being no cross guard (cross guards are more than a hand protecting bar) certain blocks "crown guard" might have to be adjusted to cavalry sabre or katana style blocks. But yes there is definite martial application if the intent is more than attacking your opponents saber and trying to actually win a duel. Good post!

It's been a point of discussion from time to time, regarding how to adapt cross guard reliant techniques (Zwerchhau for instance) to a weapon without any.
So far we've found some techniques you just don't do. Others, as you've postulated change to be more in line with similar techniques from other sword styles.

Agreed,  a zwerchhau would be darn tough to pull off with technically only blade. Angularity advantage would be key, opponents blade/hand angles and your opponents fight style "stepping in line or off line" are a few of the big factors. Makes me wanna write a light saber manuscript with side view and birds eye view pictorials ;D
Anyways Miraluka expressing your arm length in guard and telling the opponent to distance themselves or be impaled (with the lightsaber) is very martially accurate and greatly effective!

I have found the lack of cross guard far less detrimental than the round blade. Without a flat blade you loose a lot  of possible techniques.

Coming from someone who's never really trained with a flat bladed weapon, can you elaborate on that?  All my experience outside lightsabers has been escrima (sp) or firearms.  Not a whole lot of blades involved there.  lol. 

There are methods to manipulate your opponents blade by changing the point of contact while you are in the bind that rely on the fact that blades have flats and edges. Rotating your edge along your opponents edge, while pressing or extending allows you to take their blade out of line while you press in on the line of attack. Round on round means that type of manipulation is not possible.

Interesting.  I probably would never have thought of doing that. 

Hey this is Jess Brisson ( new Jedi name).  Another thing that frees a style up is how you grip a sword. When a person first picks up a sword they seem to naturally baseball bat grip it. And most don't know too grip bottom hand near or on the pommel. Try that out too if you notice baseball bat grippage.

The main reason I want a pair of lightsabers is to translate my Kali training into it!   ;D

Like others have said, certain techniques will work, others need adjusting, and some would leave you quite dismembered.

I could easily apply any of the stick striking, while being mindful my "stick" is not only omni-directional, but a blade.

Trapping and disarming is where it would get messy, and need either adjusting or to not be used.