Basic Protection and Defense Lightsaber Tips

Soresu, the Way of the Mynock

As you may already know, Star Wars canon recognizes seven "forms" of lightsaber combat. These basic lightsaber forms were developed over many millennia, as various fighting styles arose through the ages to address the shortcomings of earlier styles, adapt to changing battle conditions, or accommodate the specialized combat needs of certain Jedi as they worked to reduce their vulnerabilities.

Of all the Star Wars fighting styles, the most defense-oriented is Soresu (Form III), also known as the Way of the Mynock or the Resilience Form. Its noteworthy practitioners include Obi-Wan Kenobi and Count Dooku. While older combat forms were indented for lightsaber duels and left their wielder vulnerable to long-range weaponry, Soresu (usually pronounced so-RAY-sue) was created to defend against the threat of blaster fire.

The primary goal of the Soresu practitioner is to protect themselves from harm, with offensive strikes and occasional attacks at their opponent(s) taking the back seat. By holding their lightsaber blade close to the body at all times, the fighter can be ready to defend against any kind of attack with minimal movement. The form’s movements and techniques therefore emphasize efficiency of movement; nonetheless, it demands a fairly high level of stamina from its practitioners, as their lack of offensive strikes frequently leads to drawn-out skirmishes. The Soresu fighter can and will attack when they see an opportunity, but maintaining a strong defense is always the principal aim.

Protection and Defense Lightsaber Forms

What follows are some basic defensive lightsaber positions used by Soresu practitioners. They are intended to deflect blaster fire and/or an opponent’s lightsaber attack.

• To defend against a vertical downward lightsaber attack, grip the hilt with one hand and hold the blade horizontally in front of your head and just above it.
• To deflect blaster bolts aimed at your trunk, hold the hilt at your waist, with the blade pointed upward.
• To deflect a high-angle blaster bolt, hold the hilt over and in front of your head, with the blade in a downward diagonal position across your body.
• To defend against a rear blaster attack, grip the hilt with both hands and swing it over your head, so that the movement ends with the blade pointing downward and parallel to your back.
• To defend against a side attack, begin the motion by holding the hilt vertically upward at chest height, then swing the blade downwards and across your left or right side.
• To defend against a lower-body attack, begin the motion with the hilt at your chest, with the blade pointing upwards. Swing the saber downward to your left or right in a semicircle pattern (the direction depends on the angle of the opponent’s attack), so that the motion concludes with the blade in front of your opposite leg, pointing downward.

To become a master of Soresu you’ll need to learn more protection and defense lightsaber tactics than what we have outlined above, but this is a good start. To learn more about lightsaber combat, check out our official forum at SaberForum.com. You can always contact us with any questions you have about our combat ready lightsabers product inventory.