Marks of Contact

[Roman]

"Every Feint, every dodge, every block is a trap to the unwary."
- Tenet of Lightsaber Combat

The Marks of Contact are areas of an oppoenent's body which were considered prime targets to end the duel. These areas ranged from the disabling, to the maiming, to the killing blows.

As with all martial arts. Different Forms favor different areas.

Shiim, a grazing blow on the body. Used more to disable.

Shiak, This is using the tip of the blade to pierce the body. This was the premiere mark for Makashi users.

The two Marks above are considered the most fundamental in lightsaber combat. The lightsaber blade is weightless, making control more difficult, especially for non Force Sensitives. To be able to stop the edge of the blade, or direct the tip of the blade to precise points without making a mess should be considered a sign of control.

Sun Djem, targets the opponents weapon with the intent to disarm them. This can be done by cutting the weapon, thereby destroying it. Sun Djem can also be used by simply physically attacking the opponent. Any method that renders the opponent unarmed is considered under this mark. Sun Djem was a preferred mark for Shii Cho users. Makashi users were trained to protect against this mark.

Cho Mai, severing the opponents dominant hand. This is one of the most widely seen marks used in lightsaber combat.

Cho Sun, severing the dominant arm. A modification on Cho Mai, this was the removal of the opponents arm at the elbow.

Cho Mok, severing a non dominant limb. This move was only suggested as a last ditch move in a duel.

Mou Kei, means "To Dismember". This is the severing of several limbs at once. It is a forbidden move by the Jedi.

Sai Cha, severing the opponents head. While the Jedi Order frowned down upon killing, they found this to be an honorable end in a duel.

Sai Tok, slicing the body in half. Considered a Dark Side move for its barbarism

Using these Marks in Stage Combat is interesting. A lot of them revolve around the practice of dismembering an opponent's body. That kind of limits the field of what can and can't be done. However, moves like Shiim (grazing cuts) and Shiak (stabs) are highly popular and easy to use.

Sun Djem is an interesting move, in that it requires removing the opponents weapon from them. One of the most common tricks is simply miming a force pull, and the opponents saber "flies" into your hands or onto the floor. One example of this had one opponent with using a prop blaster shooting against a Jedi. The Jedi, Joga (A soresu user, mind you) blocks the shots and swipes across the saber. The gunman takes aim one more time, but the gun falls apart, cut in half by the saber. That is Sun Djem.

The only way we can see using most of the Marks of Contact in Stage Combat, short of rigging falling body parts is the way it is depicted in samurai films. Killing blows are generally implied, with some exceptions in the gorier movies. Cutting a limb, or severing the body can be implied simply by where you strike. The audience will get that you have struck. Beheading can be done simply by angling the execution in a way that the person can tuck their head to their chest, obscuring it from the Audiences view.

The Marks of Contact help us in understanding the roles of the Seven Forms, especially those of the first four. Shiim requires great control of the saber, to the point where one could just use the edge to graze a limb. Form I's goal was to teach this control. Shiak is the precision stabe of a limb. Makashi focus is on precision work, and is noted for its stabs. These are the two fundamental Marks of Contact.

The other Forms are applications of the Marks, with Forms III and IV being the basis for the others. Form III is the defense of these Marks, only striking when an opening/Mark is available to end the fight. Form IV was the rapid attacking of openings, hopefully in the attempt to catch the opponent before they could respond. The other three forms are composites, and mix and match the concepts of these four to suit it's needs.

I would like to mention at this point that there are several tactics that oculd be employed during Lightsaber Combat. These techniques were independent of the Seven Forms, but could clearly be in conjunction with them. They were used to give the advantage, and were not necessarily fight winners. In battle, there are no guarantees.

These are the most popular tactics.

Sokan: Use of the environment to your advantage. This can be using a flaw in the structure, like the supports of a building or the strength of the ice you stand on. It can also be simple as having the high ground. Can be used either with the saber, the Force, or manually. The main way to counter is both simplistic and problematic: eliminate the surroundings around you.

Trakata: One of the classic abilities of the Lightsaber is its function as a hilt without an extending blade. This works both ways. By drawing your blade mid-battle, you can confuse or unbalance your opponent long enough to take an opportunity. Similar in someways to the Samurai's Battou-Jutsu.

Dun Moch: More psychological than physical. Dun Moch is the taunting of the opponent, goading them into anger and making them forget their tactics. It can backfire, and bolster the opponents efforts.

Form Zero: Ironically, the first form of lightsaber combat mentioned is the most sensible Form Zero focuses on diffuse attacks using peaceful negotiations and The Force. The lightsaber is not used, making it more of a symbol than a weapon. "The best blades are kept in their sheaths".