Now that you have been through all of the pieces, it is time to put it all together. Here is a slowed down version of the Jedi Staff Form 1, performed by Jedi Elder Otori Mikko. Please be mindful of the grip divisions on the staff to best know where the hands should be at any given time. Some moves are slowed down and/or exaggerated for better demonstration. Below the video will be written instructions for the sequences within the Form, should clarification be needed. Any grip position shifts will be noted at that time.
Jedi Staff Form 1: Written Explanation
The Jedi Staff Form 1, or the Jedi Staff Short Form, is broken up into four distinct sections. Each of these sections take on the characteristics of the four primary elements, and should be viewed from this lens, so that we may get a better understanding of the Forcework within the movements. As the elements become less dense, their sections within the Staff Form are shorter, but their nature is still seen in the movements, and the Forcework with the movements becomes more active. The opening and closing of the form represent the state of Void/Balance (lack of violent intention), and the Force (Calm, passive, but ready).
Each of these sections begin with a defensive movement, because it is against the Jedi Way to act in unprovoked violence. We are defenders, of self and others. We train in the acts of violence, the spark that can become a raging inferno or a precision torch, so that when we must employ skills to defend, we have them. Because of this, while each move set begins with a block, the actions are not entirely defensive. To act in such a way is not balanced.
—– VOID —–
Come to Open Formal Posture
Rotate Staff in to Open Tucked Formal Posture
Step back into a Left Front Stance, keeping tucked staff in line with retreating leg. Rotate open left hand to fingers vertical. Sink into a Left Cat Stance, bringing the bottom end of staff up, while covering the top part of the staff with the left hand. Grip changes to a 1-2-3 Grip, striking with the lower 3 section.
—– EARTH —–
Step forward into Right Front Stance, with overhead strike. Maintain the stance for the entirety of the next sequence.
EARTH SEQUENCE:
Rotate staff to a Left lower block. Shift the staff to a right lower deflection, and continue the motion into an overhead strike. Shift the right hand, the the left, from a 3-2-1 grip to a 2-2-2 grip, pulling the staff vertically to a left side block, making sure to keep the polearm grip configuration. Rotate the staff in front, to a vertical right side block. The right hand should be more at the hip, pointing the exposed part of the staff slightly towards the attacker. Hook the exposed end of the staff as you rotate back to a high-chambered right upper jab.
Turn head to the left, and shift your attention to the new approaching target, making your stance into a left lead back stance. Shift the staff to a reverse polearm 2-2-2 grip, readying for, and warning the new approaching threat. Bring your right foot into your left foot, so that the trunk stays upright as you change directions, and step forward into a right front stance, and shifting your grip while stepping to a 3-2-1 reverse polearm grip. Once the stance is stable and settled, repeat the Earth Sequence.
REPEAT EARTH SEQUENCE
After the second Earth Sequence, shift the body to look behind you, shifting your stance into a left lead back stance by moving your left foot as you turn your head. Once again, shift staff position to reverse polearm grip, warning off new threat from behind. Step feet together, and through into a right front stance, shifting to a 3-2-1 grip. Once the stance is stable and settled, repeat the Earth Sequence again.
REPEAT EARTH SEQUENCE
—– WATER —–
After the jab, look once again over the left shoulder. Lower the staff to a middle position, and move the right leg in front of the left into a cross-step, sinking into the stance. As moving into this position, move the staff horizontally, shifting into a 2-2-2 polearm grip, in a deflection to an incoming attack. Next, come up into a left crane stance, drawing the staff up along the right side of the body, acting as a block to the right side. Lower the leg into a left lead back stance (horse stance is acceptable alternative), and jab the staff towards the lower leg/foot of the attacker.
Turn head to look over the right shoulder, and cross-step with the left foot in front of the right, sinking into the stance, maintaining the 2-2-2 grip, used in reverse polearm. As moving into this position, move the staff horizontally, in a deflection to an incoming attack. Next, come up into a right crane stance, drawing the staff up along the left side of the body, acting as a block to the right side. Lower the leg into a right lead back stance (horse stance is acceptable alternative), and jab the staff towards the lower leg/foot of the attacker.
Turn head to the front, and step the right leg back into a left lead front stance while rotating the staff to a right under-arm lower block. Step back with the left foot into a right lead front stance, rotating the staff into a left lower block. Step back into a left lead front stance, shifting grip to staff grip, keeping the 2-2-2 position, raise the staff in a vertical upper block. Launch forward in a shuttled movement into a right lead front stance with an overhead strike in a 3-2-1 polearm grip. Retract the strike, and lunge into a deep front stance with a strong jab to the center of the opponent.
—– AIR —–
Keeping the right hand in position, raise the left hand up and over, starting a deflecting rotation. Maintain the rotation, allowing it to develop into a one-handed overhand spin. Switch grip as the spin begins to restart, making the left hand the center of rotation. Finish the rotation until the left palm is facing down, and grip the staff in a left leading 3-2-1 grip, shifting into a left lead back stance with a horizontal jab to the center of the new opponent.
Draw the staff into a 1-4-1 back-mounted posture across the shoulders. Release with the left hand, and make a large clearing swing towards the knee level of our opponent, swinging the right leg out into a right lead front stance, bringing the staff into a right 4-2-0 sword grip, and bringing the staff down in a massive overhead strike.
—– FIRE —–
Shift the head to the left, and draw the left leg back slightly, while shifting the grip to a right lead 3-2-1 staff grip. Twist the hips into a left lead front stand, and come across with the middle range deflection, followed immediately by a jab. Shifting from a right 3-2-1 grip to a left 3-2-1 grip*, rotate the hips into a right lead front stance, coming across with the middle deflection, and followed by a jab. Relaxing the stance into a lazy parallel stance, raising a horizontal upper block. Shift into a right lead front stance, and span a high crossing strike to the head level.
Look over the left shoulder, shifting into left lead side ready posture.
—– VOID —–
Step back into Closed Tucked Posture, rotating staff into Formal Closing Posture
*The grip is shifted during the hip rotation, but is shown here in slow execution. This right 3-2-1 shifting to a left 3-2-1 requires a longer reach up the staff that is normal, and is demonstrated to show how we will often shift into a 2-2-2 grip from this position, but we have to be sure to fully shift into the left 3-2-1 grip.