FORM III: SORESU
Form III, or Soresu, developed in response to the growing prevalence of blasters throughout the galaxy. The necessity of an entirely new form to fill this niche stemmed from the relative ineffectiveness of Shii-Cho techniques in countering blaster fire—developed as they were from entirely melee-based techniques—and from Makashi’s complete lack of suitable techniques.
Central to Soresu techniques was a lightsaber blade’s ability to deflect blaster bolts and even—with extensive practice—to reflect them back at attackers. This latter possibility was one of the major breakthroughs in lightsaber combat in the area of blaster supremacy, and it was a key approach to damaging opponents while employing Form III. However, deflecting blaster bolts is only one tool in the defensive arsenal of a Soresu practitioner, who trains to block and parry lightsaber strikes, withstand numerous opponents, and above all maintain a calm focus that allows an appropriate defensive response to any threat.
In every aspect of combat—and in contrast to Form I’s sweeping motions—Form III utilizes tight, controlled motions and a strict economy of action. This is key to the total defense of Soresu, as even the slightest extraneous motion leaves an opening for an aggressive opponent. With this focus, Jedi saw the form as their best hope for survival. Soresu fighters applied this principle not only to lightsaber movements, but to their entire bodies. Form III also emphasizes quick footwork, constant movement, and never limiting the opponent’s avenues of attack. This reflects the rare circumstances where the Soresu practitioner must defend with lightsaber parries and blocks.
This strategy is representative of Soresu’s thoughtful, even intellectual approach to all aspects of battle. Although proper employment of Soresu depends upon the practitioner’s raw agility and speed, this is secondary to mental acuity. The form’s emphasis on efficient and tightly controlled motions somewhat relieves the physical requirements. Furthermore, the form emphasizes not only moment-to-moment tactics but also a larger strategic approach to combat. Warriors using Form III take a broader view of battle, adapting as necessary to incoming attacks. The Soresu practitioner carefully considers each attack as well as the overall pattern, a purely defensive strategy that scales with nearly any number of enemies.
Although it was initially developed primarily to address the issue of blaster fire, Form III took on greater significance as a form focused almost entirely on defending against attacks of any nature. Form I’s emphasis on offense left the defensive uses of the lightsaber in need of further exploration, while Form II’s protective techniques quickly lost effectiveness against numerically superior foes—especially if they were armed with blasters. Soresu may have originated to address the threat of blasters, but even once deflection techniques were incorporated into future forms, Form III remained a viable and worthy focus for Jedi thanks to its exhaustive concentration on defensive techniques for all situations.
SORESU IN PRACTICE
Soresu’s distinction as the Resilience Form is well earned, for its effective use depends on outlasting one’s opponents. To properly employ the form, one must focus entirely on preservation and internal resources, waiting to gradually wear down the enemy. In this manner, the Soresu master takes full advantage of the enemy’s most critical weakness: the weakness that arises as a result of physical exhaustion or mental frustration. Fortunately, this condition often causes the opponent to fall before the practitioner does.
Similarly, Soresu prizes calm and tranquility in the practitioner, cultivating control and inner focus that prevent frustration with the form’s seemingly passive refusal of constant offensive action. While opponents grow increasingly frustrated by their inability to penetrate the Form III fighter’s defenses, the practitioner remains calm, waiting patiently for a weak strike. This emphasis on the suppression of emotion, in line with the larger Jedi philosophy, likely explains Form III’s enduring popularity even after the advent of later forms.
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