Star Wars Fic Reference Wiki
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Star Wars Fic Reference Wiki

Jedi lightsaber training is the set of traditions used by the Jedi Order to teach lightsaber combat.

Drills[]

Jedi engage in two main types of drills to perfect their skills and increase their stamina. Velocities are a partnered exercise where two Jedi repeat a sequence of attacks and parries, increasing the speed until it results in either defeat or a yield. Dulon are solo exercises where the Jedi practices a sequence of moves against an imagined opponent, often practiced by Padawans preparing for their trials. Some experienced Jedi might also practice dangerous studies of skill called kai-kan, or re-enactments of great duels of the past.[1]

Duels[]

Circa 990 BBY,[note 1] blade-masters performed Form II, or Makashi, duels in the exterior courtyard of the Jedi Temple every year at the Mid-Year Fete.[2] By 231 BBY,[note 2] these lightsaber duels were used only for ceremonial or training purposes, as fighting other lightsaber users had become uncommon.[3]

Opening[]

A ceremonial duel begins with either an opening salute followed by a blade flourish (possibly specifically in the case of Makashi duels)[2] or simply a salute[3]. In live lightsaber combat, a Jedi simply begins with a ready stance. The most common, with the dominant foot back and the blade held in parry position on the dominant side, was called "Jedi Ready." In a "Defensive Neutral" stance, a Jedi planted their feet evenly and held the blade upright in front of the body, which both allowed them to use the blade to block as much as possible and presented a warning to a potential opponent. Meanwhile, the "Aggressive Neutral" stance kept the feet positioned evenly but presented the blade point first, making it harder to target.[1]

Closing[]

A ceremonial duel ended when one combatant was either disarmed or yielded.[2] In order to yield, a Jedi would say, "Solah!"[1] ("Solah!" was first used in Legends in the Attack of the Clones visual dictionary, but it was also used when The Jedi Path elaborated on lightsaber combat[4] and continues to be used in canon, as in the show duel Stellan Gios and Nib Assek perform in The Rising Storm[3]).

Notes[]

  1. Legends · The text of The Jedi Path was set down "a decade or more after the end of the New Sith Wars in 1000 BBY," dating the text that isn't annotations to circa 990.
  2. New Canon · Star Wars: Timelines dates the events of The High Republic: The Rising Storm to 231 BBY.

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Legends · Star Wars: Attack of the Clones: The Visual Dictionary, "Lightsaber Combat", by David West Reynolds. Published 2002 by DK Publishing.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Legends · The Jedi Path: A Manual for Students of the Force, "Lightsabers: Their Construction and Use", by Daniel Wallace. Published 2010 by becker&mayer! (Vault Edition boxed set); Chronicle Books (standard edition).
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 New Canon · The Rising Storm by Cavan Scott in the series The High Republic. Published 2021 by Del Rey.
  4. Legends · The Jedi Path: A Manual for Students of the Force, "The Third Pillar: Self-Discipline", by Daniel Wallace. Published 2010 by becker&mayer! (Vault Edition boxed set); Chronicle Books (standard edition).
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