The Seven Forms of Lightsaber Combat

Form II: Makashi
as known as
The Way of the Ysalamiri
and
The Contention Form




The second form, Makashi, was created to address Form I's weaknesses. Of all seven forms, Makashi is the most focused on dueling and lightsaber-to-lightsaber combat.
Unlike Shii-Cho's wild and sweeping motions, Makashi relied on precision and efficiency, balance and footwork.
Makashi as been described as elegant and focused.
Count Dooku was a master of Makashi, and he taught it to his protege Asajj Ventress, who used it with two lightsabers.
Form II also had weaknesses. As Makashi was created for dueling, it was not as effective against multiple foes, or against blaster fire.



Pictured above is the traditional 'Makashi Salute' that a duelist does persons engaging in battle

Form III: Soresu
also known as
The Way of the Mynock
and
The Resilience Form




Soresu form was created as a result of the emergence of the blaster as an offensive weapon.
Form III is the most defensive of the seven forms, and that is both its greatest strength and weakness.
Soresu uses fast-moving , tight moves close to the body to provide maximum coverage from blaster fire.
Soresu required its users to be "in the eye of the storm", having a calm center, undisturbed by the conflict around them.
However, this cam at the cost of it being hard to reach past "the eye of the storm".
Soresu, being called "The Resilience Form", is about defending until your opponent gets worn down.
Masters of Soresu would study their opponent's fighting style as they fought.
Then, the user would unleash a quick counter attack to take advantage of a weakness of temporary break in their opponent's defense.
A true master of Soresu, such as Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, was considered almost invincible. Another notable user of Form III was Jedi Master Luminara Unduli.
However, as Soresu was more about survival than victory, more aggressive forms of combat were developed.



The opening stance of Soresu