sun djem ("damage or destroy weapon") This was the goal of early Form I masters, and represents a Jedi ideal of ending conflict without the loss of life. A sun djem attack targets an enemy lightsaber. With the advent of Form II, however, sun djem grew increasingly difficult, as lightsaber combatants learned to effectively keep their weapons from being damaged.
shiim ("wound") Any kind of wound with the edge of the lightsaber is shiim. An inconclusive mark of contact, shiim is considered inferior to other marks that decisively end a battle. Its appearance thus typically expresses struggle with a powerful opponent. Count Dooku, however, used it derisively, to demonstrate his skill with the blade. Likewise, in Splinter of the Mind's Eye, Darth Vader toyed with Leia Organa by repeatedly inflicting wounds on her when they dueled with lightsabers.
shiak ("stab") Jedi tradition considers shiak an honorable method of inflicting serious injury, since it causes the least visible injury to the opponent's body. Thus shiak can express Jedi respect for an opponent and the living Force as it delivers a fatal blow. It is doubtful Darth Maul had such considerations in mind when he ran through Qui-Gon Jinn, though.
cho mai ("cut off weapon hand") A Star Wars classic, cho mai instantly ends an opponent's ability to use a weapon but does not kill, making it a preferred Jedi move. The precision in cutting off only a hand is considered the mark of a superior lightsaber master.
cho sun ("cut off weapon arm") This dismembering move is lacking the precision and elegance of cho mai, but is often necessary under surprise combat conditions or where no chances can be taken.
sai cha ("behead") Jedi commit sai cha only when battle is at its most deadly serious and threatening, or when an opponent is considered extremely dangerous even to a fully trained Jedi.
sai tok ("cut body in half") Jedi consider the bisection of a living opponent's body little more than butchery, and this move must be avoided if possible. The savage extreme of sai tok is usually reserved for emotionless droids, such as the endless battle droids Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon cut through in Episode I. Sai tok represents a potentially Sith-like desire to destroy the enemy, whereas the Jedi goal is to defeat the danger of the opponent.
This article is adapted from "Fightsaber," which appeared in Star Wars Insider #62 written by Dr. David West Reynolds in collaboration with fencer Jack "Stelen" Bobo.
