A robed figure enters the training grounds, bowing her head to the Temple Guards, then steps off to the side setting a holopad on the grass and loading up a data disk, looking to the tiny figure that appears bowing her head as if in front of a Master
(Teacher) Greetings, welcome to the introduction to Makashi. So lets start with a bit of history.
It was developed from Form I, as a means of lightsaber-to-lightsaber combat. Makashi executes swift, elegant, powerful and accurate techniques, while using as little energy as possible. When mastered, the user can execute extreme precision offensive and defensive moves with minimal effort,
while the opponent tires themselves with their Form.
The techniques of Makashi require small, swift cuts, parries and lunges. The blade manipulation required for this Form requires much focus and training, but when mastered this Form can be devastating to lightsaber wielders.
Feints would also be commonly used to confuse or set-up their opponents for a trap. Precise footwork and movements are required for maintaining proper distance from the opponent during defense and/or when moving in for an attack. The blade manipulation required for this form is very refined and requires intense focus.
Timing, accuracy, and skill, rather than strength are relied on to defeat your opponent and with a skilled practitioner, the results are extremely potent. However, if against more than one opponent this form becomes fairly obsolete.
She would nod as she listened with interest, the answers very textbook as one would expect.
(Teacher) As with all forms, there is a certain degree of mental ability in Makashi. When in combat you have to be completely focused on the combat and the area around you, always looking for a gap in your opponents defenses, a weakness to exploit - while being aware of your own weaknesses and making sure they don’t be exploited.
(Teacher) Let us start with the common practices of Makashi and what they mean.
Feints
A faint is a fake attack used to divert your opponents attention allowing you to exploit a gap in their defenses. Always be thinking of feint techniques and how you will exploit the position your opponent is in when you have executed the feint.
Distance
During Makashi you must always be analyzing your distance from your opponent, predicting what his next move will be and being the correct distance from him when he executes his move.
Timing and Accuracy
Timing and accuracy are very important in Makashi. With good accuracy and timing you can exploit even the smallest open areas in your opponents defenses.
Conserve Energy
Your techniques should become fluid, almost like you are dancing. You must learn to apply the right amount of force behind each stroke so as not to tire yourself out. Makashi is about speed and accuracy, not about strength - so you should not be wasting energy trying to hit your opponent as hard as
possible.
She took a breath as she considered his words. So much of this form would force her to be entirely focused, attentive, devoted to the form regardless of her thoughts
(Teacher) Let us begin now with simple attacks. Attack form one. drawing a lightsaber himself as he speaks Putting the lightsaber over your head, in line with your spine, bring the saber down, slicing vertically and end with your hands at waist height with the blade in front of your face. This move is quite powerful but does leave your body vulnerable for a short while. acting out each step as he speaks
Copying the display of attack form one, working through the motion with him, which he copies three more times with her moving in sync with him
(Teacher) Very good. Lets move on to Attack form two. This is a diagonal strike. With the handle at chin height and the blade vertical in front of your face, bring the blade down at your
opponents right arm. again going through the motion as he speaks, showing how its done
nods and follows what he did, stumbling the first time though managing to follow through better the next three
(Teacher) Very good. Lets move on to Attack form three. With the handle at chin height and the blade vertical in front of your face, bring the blade down at your opponents left arm Making the motions almost identical to the last, though to the left instead of the right
Copies this more easily, since its just replicating and adjusting
(Teacher) Very good. Lets move on to Attack form four. This is a more basic attack. Bring the saber behind your back, keeping the blade horizontal. The handle should be just below shoulder height. Bring the saber round quickly slashing at your opponents leg. going through the demonstration
goes through the motions, dropping the saber twice before finally managing to follow through, then repeating it twice more before it moves on
(Teacher) Very good. Lets move on to Attack form five. From the Makashi Stance bring the saber in an arc, sweeping the blade round from the right, over your head and slashing
round at your opponents right leg. again copying form four, though adjusting for the opposite leg
Doing better this time as its a replica with some swaps, she manages to follow through with it, completing it all three times.
(Teacher) Very good. Lets move on to Attack form six. Bring the saber behind your back, keeping the blade horizontal. The handle should be just below shoulder height. Bring the
saber round quickly slashing at your opponents leg. As per usual, giving the physical display of the ability
copies him slowly, following through carefully and does this three more times with him
(Teacher) Very good. Lets move on to attack form Seven. From the Makashi Stance bring the saber in an arc, sweeping the blade round from the left, over your head and slashing
round at your opponents left leg. as usual giving the display though it is still the replica with the shifts for different leg
Nods and easily completes the shift as it seems easier now that its just the other leg
(Teacher) Very good, now for one advanced lesson, then you will take time to study this on your own for a while before we move to the defensive techniques. This is a combination attack using Attack three and either Attack six or seven. Watch closely then try to follow.
When in the Makashi Stance, swing the saber round with one hand to the left, then arc it round behind your back, rising so you slash at your opponents left arm, but follow through, arcing the saber back round your back, but lowering the blade so it hits your opponents left leg. giving the visual display
Tries this twice winding up falling over, though getting up and dusting herself off before doing it a few more times, taking several times to even get it to look remotely accurate
(Teacher) Very good. This ends our lesson for today. Study the forms I have given you and practice them. When you are ready, you may begin the next class. May the force be with you. The hologram turns off
Picking up her holopad she looks to it with a sigh This will be hard, though it is definitely worth the lessons. Glad I got the data disk, I will likely need to watch just this lesson several times.
For the next three hours she is seen working on her Makashi forms, going back to the lesson on the data disk several times to correct her posture and grip, these were only the attacks and they were already rather complicated. Imagine how hard the rest would be.
