Form I - Shii-Cho

Form I, also known as Shii-Cho, The Way of the Sarlacc, or The Determination Form, is the first of the seven forms of lightsaber combat. This combat form was developed during the transitional period within the Jedi Order from ancient metal swords to more contemporary lightsabers. Shii-Cho was intended to cater to these new weapons, establishing the basic motions and target zones utilised with a lightsaber. As Shii-Cho was effectively an experimental combat form, and was created prior to the emergence of Dark Jedi and Sith Lords, it did not address the issue of lightsaber-to-lightsaber combat, and was quickly replaced by Form II. Despite this, Shii-Cho continues to find a niche as a training form, with almost every Jedi and Sith duellist receiving some instruction in it and go on to include its elements in their own combat styles. Shii-Cho is considered an effective fall-back option when no other form or combat style will do.
In combat, Form I lightsaber combat is wild and raw, relying on deliberate tactics and being primarily aimed towards disarming rather than injuring foes, in keeping with Jedi philosophy. Basic initiates in the style demonstrate rather clumsy performance, though in the hands of a master, Shii-Cho is fluid but highly randomised and unpredictable.


History
Original lightsabers were unstable and cumbersome weapons, used merely for ceremonial purposes, and required no specialised fighting methods for such usage. However, as lightsaber technology developed and they became usable in combat, a combat form tailored to make use of the advantages offered by lightsabers and compensate for their weaknesses became needed. Thus, the first form of lightsaber combat was developed.
As the most ancient style of lightsaber combat, Shii-Cho was developed during the transition period from swords to lightsabers. Lightsabers were wielded in a manner similar to swords, so many of the manoeuvres, such as attacks or parries, remained unchanged, as the key principles of the old sword-fighting methods continued to be incorporated. The simplicity and persistent methods of the form led it to being dubbed the "Way of the Sarlacc" and the "Determination Form".
As Shii-Cho was developed prior to either the emergence of Dark Jedi or Sith Lords, it was not created with lightsaber-to-lightsaber combat in mind. Despite this, it was the preferred form of such groups when they began appearing, as it was quite simply the only option. As lightsaber duels between practitioners of the Force became increasingly common, Form I was judged as being inadequate for the task, leading to the development of the second form of lightsaber combat, also known as Makashi.
Despite the development of a combat form tailored to lightsaber duelling, Shii-Cho was not rendered obsolete. Its simplicity and basic focuses left the form ideally suited for basic training, and it is used to provide initiates with an early introduction to lightsaber combat. Shii-Cho has remained an effective form of combat for thousands of years, and its simplicity makes it a good fall back option when no other form will do. However, a true master of the form can use it in both lightsaber combat and battlefield situations to great effect.


Description
As Shii-Cho is an extension of traditional sword-fighting styles, it retains the basics of attacks, parries, and body zones established by such ancient methods. Shii-Cho fosters an emotionally-heated mindset, which results in the considerable temptation to execute combat with lethal intent, requiring great restraint to exercise the form without going too far. Despite the pull to kill, the style is designed for the purpose of disarming without seriously injuring.
Shii-Cho swordplay is simplistic and raw. In the hands of a master, the blade work is described as "like watching water flow over the falls." However, less adept practitioners display much more basic and somewhat clumsy performances. In combat, Form I encourages deliberate tactics, calling for continuous step-by-step advancement while cutting off the opponent's angles.
Shii-Cho is specialised towards engaging multiple opponents, the wide sweeping motions ideally suited towards attacking numerous adversaries. However, Form I is not as useful against single opponents, as such enemies have complete mobility and can find weaknesses in Shii-Cho's comparatively clumsy blade work.

Training and practice
As the most simplistic form, Shii-Cho is the first form taught to initiates and acolytes within their respective Orders. Form I training provides the basic knowledge of sword-fighting principles and blast-deflection skills that is required for the practice of all other forms.
In order to teach students to draw upon the Force rather than rely on their senses, early level Shii-Cho blast-deflect training is conducted with a blindfold, forcing the initiate to rely upon his/her instincts. Later training is conducted through the use of sequences and velocities, the continuous repetition making the moves instinctive reflexes. These training regimes are carried over to all following lightsaber combat forms, which use similar methods.

Known moves and manoeuvres
The basic rules of attacks, parries, and body target zones are established by Shii-Cho combat. Shii-Cho also has two methods of combat which determines how these moves are executed; Ideal-Form and Live Combat Form.
Ideal Form I is mainly used in sparring, and all the moves and manoeuvres are executed at perfect horizontal/vertical angles, with attacks and parries being perpendicular to one another. The Live Combat Form is much more functional, the attacks being diagonal strikes at each respective body zone, the goal being to increase speed and reduce actual movement.
The body target zones are numbered as follows; 1 - head, 2 - right arm and side, 3 - left arm and side, 4 - back, 5 - right leg, 6 - left leg.
Shii-Cho philosophy emphasises victory without injury, and as such the sun djem mark of contact is traditionally employed by Form I practitioners. Keeping with the use of sun djem, one of the attacks utilised by Form I practitioners is referred to as the "Disarming Slash", consisting of a strike directed at the opponent's weapon in an attempt to rip it out of their grasp. Another of the techniques utilised by Shii-Cho is dubbed the "Sarlacc Sweep", a wide sweeping attack in which the duellist strikes out against multiple enemies. Other manoeuvres include the basic Form I horizontal slash.