The Force: Lightsabers
For a thousand generations during the reign of the Old Republic, a masterfully and dedicated order know as the Jedi served as the guardians of peace and justice. Spread over a thousand systems, they brought calm and confidence to the citizens of countless worlds. The respect which the Jedi have earned is mainly due to their wisdom, but also in part, due to their masterful use of a weapon they themselves created ........ the Lightsaber. A Lightsaber in the hands of a trained Jedi, is far more powerful, and deadly, than any Blaster.
Constructed by each Jedi as a test of their skills the Lightsaber is the product of an ancient technology. Skilful wielding of the weapon is the hallmark of a fully trained Jedi Knight. A Lightsaber takes many long days to construct, the components have to become one with each other, and at one with the Force. The process takes a Jedi almost a week to complete. However there is a way of speeding up the process to a few hours. This is not recommended for trainee Jedi, as many accidents have occurred with uncontrolled use of the Force.
"An elegant weapon for a more civilized age"
:- Obi-Wan Kenobi
A Lightsaber is roughly 24-30 centimeters long, the handle made from durasteel. An inner shell contains the massive energies produced, without transmitting any heat to the outer surface. A power cell is located in the handgrip and a Gem focuses the core energy channel into a coherent beam which bends circumferentially to form a cutting blade. A Lightsaber can only be efficiently wielded after years of extensive training and disciplined use. The use of 3 gems in a Lightsaber gives the wielder an extendable blade. This can often turn the balance of a light-fight when the opponents are evenly matched.
Lightsaber: Fact/Fiction?
According to astrophysicist Yakov Borisovich Zel'dovich, a rapidly spinning conductor will cause the creation of virtual particle radiation at its surface. Particle production is controlled by the charge, angular velocity (of rotation) and radius of this charged conductor.
If we imagine a rod shaped charged field of atomic-scale cross-section, which is super conducting and rotating at near-light speed, then charge regulation becomes the control for the particle emission type and quantity. Such charged fields would tend to repel one-another (if they are of like polarity), which means the blades would BLOCK one another. NOTE: a sabre would have to be built carefully and tuned correctly! A badly adjusted sabre would subject its user (and everyone in range) with considerable amounts of gamma radiation!
The glow of the sabre blade consists of virtual-photons energized by the rotating field into real photons ... virtual light make real! The opaque 'thumb-thick' blade shape may be a swirl of ionized atmospheric particles (the AIR) drawn in and swirling about the core. When you IONISE a gas, you actually have a PLASMA (as it is meant by terrestrial physics) ... and this would glow JUST LIKE A FLUORESCENT TUBE (which is ALSO a plasma!) ... BUT this thumb-thick plasma zone is merely a by-product ... the REAL cutting is performed by minuscule core of the true blade ... leaving almost microscopically thin cuts. (The blade would STILL glow fiercely in even in a vacuum, as it throws off 'virtual photons - made real' ... but the thumb-thick core may not be visible.)
Such a tight rapidly spinning charged super conducting field would rend (tear) through most matter by stripping off electrons which bind atoms together. The ionized matter about the 'cut', as well as field-excited atomic movement in the localized area of the 'cut', would mimic great point-of-contact heat. A wound to a soft-tissue organic being would appear to be a microscopically thin BURN - and such a wound would usually tend to be cauterized (depending on how slowly the blade passed through - a large blood vessel cut too quickly may not be sufficiently 'burned' to cauterize). Dense metals which have loosely bound electrons (which are free to wander about their lattice structure) would be more resistant to cutting. The 'atom stripping' effect would take a little longer to cut through, because such materials have more electrons 'to spare' before their lattice structure becomes 'torn'.
Metals are also more highly conductive, and the localized 'heat' effects are minimized because the heat is carried away and dispersed through the material more quickly. This means that even though with varying amounts of effort, a lightsabre could cut through virtually anything, some materials would offer more resistance to a sabre blade, and therefore we can now understand how Lord Vader's armour was able to ward off most of Luke's glancing blow, saving his life. Mr. Albert Forge has gone further, and has postulated a mechanism for the generation of the spinning field which creates the blade described above. Imagine a tiny sphere of unknown composition (perhaps some of the 'hypermatter' referred to in the SWICS & SWVD books by LFL's Dr Reynolds). Rapidly spin this into a disk by the effect of inducing fields (probably EM). The disk deformed and elongated into a tube, or rod (imagine the sleeve of a shirt being turned inside out) by an axially mounted and powerful electron gun (like the tube of your TV).
Field extension/retraction would be controlled by altering the output of the electron gun (which incidentally also controlled the charge of the conducting field ... the spin rate is determined by the inducing EM fields that created the disk from the sphere in the first place). 'Focusing' in this case may then be the very-rapid application of 'tuning' precession forces upon the extended field in order to 'follow' the orientation of the hilt, as left to itself it would tend to gyroscopically resist orientation changes. [NOTE: Mr. Forge would like to say that all the above, which having its roots in 'real' physics, is speculative, and must be taken with "several solar masses of sodium chloride" *grin* ... IMHO however, it is a VASTLY more consistent and believable model than any other. It just 'could' possibly work! *AND* it matches ALL the observed and ascribed conditions!]
ADVANTAGES
it SPINS - matching my 'gyroscopic angular inertia' ideas (independently supported by the SWVD)
no 'plasma' or 'fuel' required other than raw power
the blade is PURE energy
the blade is opaque
there is a sensible 'focusing' (tuning) role for crystals which COULD see them able to adjust the color!
The blades would block one another AND blaster bolts!
It hums it glows, even in a vacuum!
The cuts are microscopically thin it cuts by 'shearing away' the electrons in the substance, leaving a locally 'induced' heat-like reaction in other words:..., leaving burns & cauterized wounds! Dense metallic surfaces with many stray electrons in their matrix would provide higher resistance to the 'electron stripping' cutting action ... thus Vader's armour stops the glancing blow from killing him!
Mr. Forge has built upon the 'sabre/blaster relationship' idea (presented in Model Three above) using his 'virtual-light' model ... A question from Mr. Doran Skalak about gravitic effects prompted me to ask an astrophysicist (Curtis Saxton) questions about high-speed rotations and relativistic effects: the following comments are my own attempts to explain what he told me, and I may have made any number of scientific errors ... In Model#6 there is a 'virtual' object ROTATING at the core of the blade .. a force field of almost zero mass (I assume) which has a NON-MECAHNICAL induced spin applied at near light speed [c] to achieve the Zeldovich effect as described above.
Apparently, objects moving at near 'c' WILL undergo the mass-effects predicted by Einstein even if they have near zero mass ... because the equations effect ENERGY, and mass is merely one form of energy. As a result, the spinning blade will NOT ONLY undergo gyroscopic resistance to changes in angular orientation (being waved around), but will ALSO suffer SOME DEGREE (unknown) of relativistic gravitic effects. In effect, the blade may acquire some 'virtual mass' - FROM the relative standpoint of the user. Further, these effects will produce a form of 'event horizon' effect at the boundary (not incompatible with Zeldovich's 'virtual light' predictions I assume) which you would expect could account for the noise, the glow and the terrible destructive capabilities of the 'light' blade. Sabres and Blasters related?
Now comes the REAL speculation! It was postulated in Model Three (Field contained plasmoids) that the Sabre beam may be related to the Blaster Bolt - as though the sabre were a 'static' gunshot, or more correctly, that the blaster bolt is a 'mobile sabre blade'. This is a fascinating idea, but it has a serious drawback ... there are instances in the films where damage is done BEFORE the visible part of the bolt arrives. The 'contained' model CANNOT explain this... BUT the 'virtual light' model CAN. *IF* Blasters and sabres originate from the same principle technology, then blasters MAY be such 'spinning fields' which can exist for a time on their own, and can be projected along a vector (ie: fired!). Such a 'bolt' would indeed leave a TRAIL OF LIGHT in its wake! The 'damage' may well be done BEFORE the visible part of the bolt arrives! Since a blaster is like a sabre, and since sabres block one-another, a sabre can block a blaster bolt! BUT this would be VERY VERY difficult to do because the sabre blade is so thin, and the blaster bolt so very fast! A Turbolaser may be a rotating field of larger diameter. Perhaps such larger fields would retain their coherence for longer (after leaving the emitter) and thus have greater range. If the field integrity decays beyond a certain point, its rapid rotation may cause it to 'explode' beyond a certain distance from the emitter. This would explain the 'flak bursts' observed in the film when some shots miss their targets. The asteroid hit by the Star Destroyer in TESB would first be 'drilled into' by the bolt, then exploded (vaporized in fact!) from within when the bolt's rotation collapsed - it would essentially have had its constituent atoms ripped apart from the inside out!
Lightsaber: Training
This section of the Academy is devoted to 'Lightsaber' dueling, we will attempt to explain some of the moves and swordplay used in the movies, and also how that equates to real sword play. There are a few reasons why the blade duels differ, for one the mass of a lightsabers blade would be infinitesimal, and hence new methods of dueling under such conditions would be required.
If you wish to learn more about sword play and the safe use of such weapons we suggest you contact your local Kendo or Martial Arts school and sign up for a course.
The Force Academy is looking for talented individuals to help construct a series of Lightsaber Lectures/Lessons.
If you feel that you could help us then please e-mail Lightsaber@forceacademy.com
Lightsaber: Training #1
One important skill in Lightsaber combat that should be learnt is how to deal with multiple opponents. Situations like this may emerge when all else has failed, and people may be hesitant to fight you alone, so several of them attack at once. First things first, know your limits. It is okay to retreat or surrender rather than engage in a suicidal battle.
The only time fighting is the only option is when the well being of other is at stake. Just remember, no one person can defeat an attack from several hundred armed men. When the battle itself begins, face a direction which gives you sight of the most possible opponents. Remember usually they will surround you, not line up in front of you. Do not worry about the unsighted ones, use the Force to discover their locations, and to track their movements. Wait for them to attack you, but when they do you must not hesitate, use the Force to judge the closest attacker, strike a this one quickly, then the next closest.
Use long, sweeping, horizontal strikes, as they can take out more than one at a time. Avoid vertical strikes, thrusts, and other such "precision" strikes, they are restricted to hitting only small areas. Often a simple Force push can knock a row of attackers down, but do not strike them while they are down. Such a thing is cowardly, and not the conduct of a light Jedi. Often after the initial shock of being knocked over by an invisible presence, they will turn and run anyway.
Mastering a double-bladed sabre requires physical upper body strength, unlike other types of sabres. As when your blade makes contact with another you must be careful not to get butt-ended (have the other end strike you, chances are severing a leg). Your safest attacking moves are diagonal strikes, as they have the least chance of striking yourself. Horizontal strokes should always finish with the hilt against the side of your body. This way the blade won't end up in the side of your body. As for vertical strikes, don't even think about it, it is not worth the risk.
Lightsaber: Training #2
Greetings My name is Jedi Knight Ki Maul Adi and I will try and post new Saber Lesson every few weeks or so. Now first lesson is to be able to use and handle the Lightsaber, your hands should be placed were you feel comfortable, but always Right hand over top the Left hand. Doing this will let you use your Right hand to guide the saber in any direction you want the blade to go, and the Left hand should be used as the power of the strike this is where left handed people have the advantage seeing how they may use that hand more, but that doesn't mean you will lose the battle, it only gives your opponent a slight advantage. Now, when you hold it, you want to hold it so when you connect with the other person(s) blade it won't fly out of your hand and you don't want to hold it to where your hands go numb from holding the Handle so tight. You want to hold it with enough pressure to keep it in your hands and be able to move it in any direction. Ok. Now that you know how to hold the saber here are a few exercise to do.
1. Most important, Meditate for at lest 15-20min. before doing these exercises and after, make sure you are totally at peace and are able to hear and sense things you haven't been able to before. 2. Do a couple of Over Head Strikes, and Side Strikes to lower body and upper body, for now. Practice these over and over again so you can do them on instinct.
2. Advanced, Try the Over Head Strikes, and Side Strikes to lower body and upper body with spins and practice these over and over again to you can do them on instinct.
3. 2nd most important is to be able to roll with your saber in your hand(blade not extended at first then do it with it extended for all of these) Doing this may keep you from getting a limb chopped off, also cartwheels and round offs are a good way to avoid a blade of a lightsaber.
Practice this over and over again. Practice this as long as you can and as many times a day as you can. This is not all I have but for now DO these. (I will also post a Topic on how to train for Force Jumping, Running, and Pushing. These may take a few years to master but if you train hard and long you will be able to Jump, and Run even Better).
Lightsaber: Training #3
Principles of movement: In this section we will be reviewing the principles of movement. The principles of movement are the correct ways of action during an engagement. These you know of, advance, retreat, etc.... We will explain them one at a time so as not to confuse you. You should devote at least 30 min. of your training time to these movements alone.
ADVANCE
The Advance is the first movement we will review. To perform an advance simply stand with your feet in a 'T' . This being the basic ready. Back foot going from left to right and front foot going from front to back. Creating a 'T'. Now shift all of your weight to the front of your feet, this makes you light and agile. Now slide your front foot out away from your back foot about 2 feet. Shifting your wait to your front leg you now slide your back leg up to meet your front one. Finishing this movement in the same position you started at.
RETREAT
The Retreat is done exactly the way the advance is done but in a reverse order. Stepping first with your back foot and trailing with your front.
ANGLE STEP
The Angle step is done by moving toward your opponents hip. You are facing your opponent, with your right foot forward. To do a right angle step you perform a basic advance towards his left hip. To do a left angle step, you bring your back foot around you, and step towards his right hip. Using this principle you can figure it is just opposite for left foot forward stance's. This is actually a very important stepping movement , seen as how it usually get you around your opponents blade.
WALKOVER The walkover is a very good movement used to close a lot of ground quickly, without having to perform a technique. To perform a walkover from a right foot forward basic stance, you take your back leg, and bring it up in front of your right leg, keeping the left foot facing right to left. You then bring your right leg back to the forward most position and regaining your basic stance. When fighting against a double bladed saber do not perform this stepping movement, for the amount of force that the double saber distributes upon impact is to much for you to handle if caught in the middle of a walkover, it will send you directly to the ground.
SPIN / CURL The spin/ curl is a very effective move if attacked with a lunge or a pass. These are both techniques in which you devote all of your force of movement into an attack, missing your target are leave you vulnerable and off balance. The Spin or Curl is a sure way to make your opponent miss his objective. To perform this movement, again you are in the basic stance, right foot forward. You will step forward towards your opponents incoming attack, angle stepping towards his right hip, then with your right leg you make a circle pattern on the ground, bringing your body all the way around into a 360, only stopping once you have sight of your opponent once more. When starting your spin, after performing the angle step, turn your head as far to the right as possible. This is done so that once your body has quarter turned you already have sight of your opponent, giving you advance warning on a miss, counter, etc..... This is a very difficult technique to use in actual combat and requires A LOT of practice.
ROLLING
Rolling is probably one of the most successful forms of defense and evasion. An opponent swings low, you aerial roll over it, he swings high, you roll under it, he knocks you off balance, you roll backwards to get distance between the two of you. In my experience in actual duels, there is no better form of defense then solid rolls and basic blocks. We will learn this one left foot forward basic stance, this means you will be rolling on your left side. When practicing this always alternate sides, to build up flexibility. During the entire roll you should always keep your body round and curved. Step 1) you bend down to begin your roll and you must make sure that you bend straight over so that your roll will be straight and not on your side. Place your feet shoulder width apart, aim your eyes to your back toes, or stare at your right hip. Place your hand directly in front of you, fingertips pointing at each other, palms slightly raised of the ground. Both arms curved into semi circle, this insures no one single point of contact. Shift your wait forward letting gravity send you rolling. Do not break your form. Do it like this for a while, once you get comfortable doing it like this you can move on to performing the roll from a walk, then run, then jump...once you have gotten to the jumping part you have successfully completed the rolling section of training. The back roll is done the same way as described above just in reverse order.........I strongly recommend finding a qualified instructor to teach you these rolls though.
EVADING
Evading is one of the best forms of defense, both in saber combat, and in Martial Arts. If you can get proficient at it you can defeat anyone. This is probably my favorite way of fighting seen as how you do nothing but move flowingly, and your opponents is running after you swinging frantically. After a few moments the attacker will not have the energy to go on...you can end it there and pummel him( not cool at all) or you can just walk away( which is what your here to learn to do). So this concludes the section on Principles of Movement.
Lightsaber: Training #4
have decided that I should share the knowledge that I have, and that I will do first through sabre fighting. Take this information in, study it well, cause in an actual fight it will help.
We will start these lessons of with the three principles of sabre combat. The three principles are time, distance, and guard. The masters of old derived that if you could master these three things that no man on earth could beat you.
TIME:
This being the First principle of dueling. It's function is to reduce the motions of a weapon and body to those strictly necessary, both in number and in extent, so as to employ the least possible time in attack or parry. Secondly to balance those motions carefully , with that of your opponents, in order to seize at once the least possible opportunity and to reduce the number of chance hits to a minimum.
.
DISTANCE:
This being the second principle of dueling. To keep out of easy reach when on the defensive and conversely never to attack, or fake, without being within striking distance. Now we must split these into two category's, the short measure ,and the long measure. The short measure being possible to deliver an attack with just a step foreword, and the long measure being required to lunge to hit your target.
GUARD:
This being the third principle of dueling. This applies to the preliminary action of an attack. It is therefore a position with intention to assault. It also refers to the position in witch a defense can be launched with minimal movement. Now you have a greater understanding of what on guard means.