(See also the Shii-Cho diagram).

Shii-Cho is the first of the seven forms of lightsaber combat. As the most ancient style of lightsaber combat, Shii-Cho was developed during the transition period from swords to lightsabers. Lightsabers are wielded in a manner similar to swords, so many of the manoeuvres, such as attacks or parries, remain unchanged, as the key principles of the old sword-fighting methods continue to be incorporated.

The simplicity and persistent methods of the form led it to being dubbed the "Way of the Sarlacc". The same simplicity and lack of complex techniques has also made it the de facto teaching style, used to teach new apprentices the basics of lightsaber combat. The perfect strikes and parries used during teaching are often called the "Ideal Form", to contrast with the techniques as performed in live combat.

Shii-Cho combat techniques emphasize victory without injury. They heavily employ the _Sun Djem_ mark of contact, utilizing attacks and parries to disarm the opponent of disable their weapons directly.

_This style requires a lightsaber._