Normally Soresu is listed as the third form of lightsaber combat.

It is considered to be the less aggressive cousin to Djem So, but this is because Soresu was developed at a later date, after the age of war, in a time when delegation and negotiations were more often the task of the Jedi than combat.

Soresu was a more defensive take on the philosophy that "the sword that kills is the sword that saves" preferring instead "the best block", (cortay, to block, derived of the metal cortosis capable of resisting immediate damage from a lightsaber) "the best cortay, is Soresu"

Soresu means absent, to not be there. It means to doge the attack, not with big telegraphed movements, but by correctly judging the timing and distance to be just past the reach of the attack.

Also known as the Resilience Form or way of the Mynock, (bat-like creature that can survive in the dark vacuum of space) Its design was based on pure Defense with either Ranged (blaster) or Melee attacks.

Unlike Djem So, Soresu rejected the use of reverse grip technique.

To beat the attacker with distance and timing also employs the use of baiting with the Shii to draw out an attack. Staying one step ahead of the attacker by convincing him he has the killing cut, so he will attack on your terms is part of making Soresu successful.

The goal of the Velocity training in Soresu is to beat the opponent without ever crossing the blades, and to beat without killing. Soresu instead, uses the Shiim, a controlled cut that stops just short of any deep penetration, and stings the attacker into submission.

Following the Shiim the practice of the Velocity in Soresu, like Djem So, ends with a final Sai, but unlike Djem So the finishing Sai is where the exercise becomes more of a Jar as the students switch roles of attacker and victor, and with the finishing of one technique becomes the beginning of the partner's turn.

This practice, carried over years of peacetime, made Soresu the widest and most refined of all lightsaber combat for millennia. Historically Soresu was the most practiced of all the forms, that is another reason Soresu is usually the third of the forms listed.

Soresu explores each of the other Shii from each of the other forms. At the time of Soresu's completion as a combat school there were 7 forms in total. Vapaad was not in existance, and Dejem So was called Dejem So-Shien as both Shii were used together. Niman was paired with Jar' Kai as Niman-Jar' Kai.

Each of the Shii are used in the Soresu Velocity as a bait for the Trill to attack with a Sai, and each Shii has a Velocity for the Moon, Sun, and Cresh and Krenth possibilities, and how each Shii would work combatively from there.

Phase I (Sun & Moon)   

Shii Cho Moon Velocity
Attack: Sai from Djem So
1) from Soresu right retreat step and raise sword to Shii Cho to bait attack
2) right advance step and Moon Juyo with left Trill Cresh cross step to 3:00 facing 10:30 with Moon Sai Mok Shiim Trill's neck over attack
3) assume Soresu
4) right retreat step to 4:30 and raise sword to Djem So facing 10:30

Shii Cho Sun Velocity
Attack: Sai from Djem So
1) from Soresu raise sword to Moon Shii Cho to bait attack
2) left advance step and Sun Juyo with right Trill Cresh cross step to 9:00 facing 1:30 with Sun Sai Mok Shiim Trill's neck over attack
3) right advance to 1:30 into Soresu to press Trill back
4) right retreat step to 7:30 and raise sword to Djem So facing 1:30

Makashi Moon Velocity
Attack: Sai from Djem So
1) from Soresu drop sword tip to Shien to bait attack
2) raise sword and Shiak to Makashi with Force shout to deter attack and push Trill back
3) right side step advance to 9:00 with Moon Mia Cho Shiim Trill's abdomen
4) left step to 9:00 into Soresu facing 3:00
5) right retreat step to 9:00 and raise sword to Djem So facing 3:00

Makashi Sun Velocity
Attack: Sai from Djem So
1) from Soresu drop sword tip to Shien to bait attack
2) Kessel Run advance and raise sword and Shiak to Makashi with Force shout to deter attack and push Trill back
3) left side step advance to 3:00 with Sun Mia Cho Shiim Trill's abdomen
4) Sun Juyo and raise sword to Soresu facing 9:00
5) right retreat step to 3:00 and raise sword to Djem So facing 9:00

Djem So-Shien Moon Velocity
Attack: Sai from Djem So
1) from Soresu drop sword tip to Shien to bait attack
2) right retreat step and raise sword to Djem So
3) right advance step with Sai Shiim Trill's head over attack
4) assume Soresu
5) right retreat step and raise sword to Djem So

Djem So-Shien Sun Velocity
Attack: Sai from Djem So
1) from Soresu drop sword tip to Shien to bait attack
2) right retreat step and raise sword to Djem So
3) right advance step with Sai Shiim Trill's head over attack
4) quickly raise sword to Djem So, then Moon Sai Mok Shiim Trill's neck
5) quickly raise sword to Djem So with right retreat step, then Sun Sai Mok Shiim Trill's neck
6) left retreat step to Soresu
7) right retreat step and raise sword to Djem So

Ataru Moon Velocity
Attack: Sai from Djem So
1) from Soresu right retreat step and drop sword tip to Ataru to bait attack
2) right advance to 10:30 with Moon Sweep Mok Shiim Trill's torso under attack
3) left advance to 10:30 with Sun Juyo and raise sword to Djem So facing 4:30 (right side forward)
4) Sai Shiim Trill's head
5) assume Soresu
6) right retreat step to 10:30 and raise sword to Djem So facing 4:30

Ataru Sun Velocity
Attack: Sai from Djem So
1) from Soresu drop sword tip to Moon Ataru to bait attack
2) left advance to 3:00 with Sun Sweep Mok Shiim Trill's torso under attack
3) Sun Juyo and raise sword to Djem So facing 9:00
4) Ataru with Sai Shiim Trill's head (Falling Leaf)
5) assume Soresu
6) right retreat step to 3:00 and raise sword to Djem So facing 9:00

Soresu Moon Velocity
Attack: Sai from Djem So
1) from Soresu circle step left while tipping sword to left side to bait attack
2) Ataru right with Moon Sai Mok Shiim Trill's neck
3) assume Soresu
4) right retreat step and raise sword to Djem So

Soresu Sun Velocity
Attack: Sai from Djem So
1) from Soresu circle step right while tipping sword to right side to bait attack
2) Ataru and Sun Juyo with Sun Sai Mok Shiim Trill's neck
3) left retreat step to Soresu
4) right retreat step and raise sword to Djem So

Niman-Jar' Kai Moon Velocity
Attack: Sai from Djem So
1) from Soresu right side step raise sword vertically to Niman
2) tip sword left to bait attack
3) left advance step with Sun Juyo to grab Trill's right hand with free left hand and smothering his elbow under your left arm
4) continue Sun Juyo with right step to 10:30 pulling Trill forward locking his elbow straight using your left side torso as a lever
5) left grabTrill's sword handle and pull to disarm
6) assume Jar' Kai

Niman-Jar' Kai Sun Velocity
Attack: Sai from Djem So
1) from Soresu right side step and raise sword vertically to Niman
2) tip sword left to bait attack
3) left advance step with Sun Juyo to reach between Trill's hands to grab his sword pommel, left hand palm down
4) right hand use your own blade to check Trill?s and press it down while pulling up against his grip at the pommel (this is the only time in Soresu where the blades cross)
6)assume Vapaad

Juyo Moon Velocity
Attack: Sai from Djem So
1) from Soresu right retreat step and raise sword to Juyo to bait attack
2) right advance step and Moon Juyo with left side step to 3:00 facing 9:00 with Moon Cha Cho Shiim Trill's neck over attack
3) Sun Juyo with right retreat step to 3:00 with orbital Sun Cha Cho Shiim Trill's neck
4) left retreat step into Soresu facing 9:00
5) right retreat step to 3:00 and raise sword to Djem So facing 9:00

Juyo Sun Velocity
Attack: Sai from Djem So
1) from Soresu raise sword to Moon Juyo to bait attack
2) left advance step and Sun Juyo with right side step to 9:00 facing 3:00 with Sun Cha Cho Shiim Trill's neck over attack
3) Moon Juyo with left retreat step to 9:00 with orbital Moon Cha Cho Shiim Trill's neck
4) assume Soresu facing 3:00
5) right retreat step to 9:00 and raise sword to Djem So facing 3:00

Phase II (Cresh & Krenth)

Shii Cho Cresh Velocity
Attack: Sai from Djem So
1) from Soresu right retreat step  and raise sword to Shii Cho to bait attack
2) right advance step to 10:30 with Moon Sweep Mok Shiim Trill's torso under attack
3) Moon Juyo and raise sword to Shii Cho facing 4:30
4) right advance step to 4:30 with Moon Sai Mok Shiim Trill's neck
5) assume Soresu
6) right retreat step to 10:30 and raise sword to Djem So facing 4:30

Shii Cho Krenth Velocity
Attack: Sai from Krenth Djem So
1) from Krenth Soresu right retreat Hut Slide and raise sword to Krenth Shii Cho to bait attack
2) left retreat Hut Slide Hut Slide with Moon Mok Shiim Trill's neck over attack
3) assume Soresu
4) right retreat Hut Slide and raise sword to Krenth Djem So

Makashi Cresh Velocity
Attack: from behind, Sai from Djem So
1) feeling the intent to kill from behind, Xesh Tallon Roll toward 12:00 to escape attack
2) Sun Juyo and stand with Shiak Shiim Trill's face into Makashi facing 6:00 with Force shout to push Trill back
3) assume Soresu
4) left advance step to 6:00 and raise sword to Djem So with intent to kill

Makashi Krenth Velocity
Attack: Sai from Krenth Djem So
1) from Krenth Soresu drop sword tip to Shien to bait attack
2) raise sword tip and Shiak to Krenth Makashi with Force shout to push Trill back
3) assume Soresu
4) right retreat Hut Slide and raise sword to Krenth Djem So

Djem So-Shien Cresh Velocity
Attack: from behind, Sai from Djem So
1) feeling the intent to kill from behind, Sun Juyo with left step to 12:00 with Sai Shiim Trill's head facing 6:00 with Force shout to deter attack and push Trill back
2) assume Soresu
3) right retreat step and raise sword to Djem So facing 6:00 with intent to kill

Djem So-Shien Krenth Velocity
Attack: Sai from Krenth Djem So
1) from Krenth Soresu drop sword tip to Shien to bait attack
2) right retreat Hut Slide and raise sword to Krenth Djem So
3) right advance Hut Slide with Sai Shiim Trill's head over attack
4) assume Krenth Soresu
5) right retreat Hut Slide and raise sword to Krenth Djem So

Ataru Cresh Velocity
Attack: Sai from Djem So
1) from Soresu right retreat step and drop sword tip to Ataru to bait attack
2) Ataru and Sun Juyo (back spin) with Sai Shiim Trill's head over attack (Falling Leaf)
3) assume Soresu
4) right retreat step and raise sword to Djem So

Ataru Krenth Velocity
Attack: Sai from Krenth Djem So
1) from Krenth Soresu right retreat Hut Slide and lower sword to Krenth Ataru to bait attack
2) retreat with Ataru Moon Juyo and Sai Shiim Trill's head landing in right Krenth (Falling Leaf)
3) assume Krenth Soresu
4) right retreat Hut Slide and raise sword to Krenth Djem So

Soresu Cresh Velocity
Attack: from behind, Sai from Djem So
1) feeling the intent to kill from behind, Sun Juyo with left step to 12:00 into Soresu facing 6:00 with Force shout
2) drop back with Trill Tallon Roll
3) stand to Soresu facing 6:00
4) left advance step to 6:00 raise sword to Djem So with intent to kill

Soresu Krenth Velocity
Attack: Sai from Krenth Djem So
1) from Krenth Soresu tip sword to left side to bait attack
2) left advance Hut Slide with Sun Sai Mok Shiim Trill's neck
3) left retreat Hut Slide to Soresu
4) right retreat Hut Slide and raise sword to Krenth Djem So

Niman-Jar' Kai Cresh Velocity
Attack: Sai from Djem So
1) from Soresu right side step to Moon Niman
2) tip sword right to bait attack
3) Moon Juyo with right advance step and Moon Sai Mok Shiim Trill's neck
Attack: right step back again to Djem So and then Sai
1) return to Moon Niman
2) tip sword left to bait attack
3) Sun Juyo with left advance step and Sun Sai Mok Shiim Trill's neck
4) left retreat step to Soresu
5) right retreat step to Djem So

Niman-Jar' Kai Krenth Velocity
Attack: Sai from Krenth Djem So
1) from Krenth Soresu left retreat Hut Slide and raise sword vertically to Krenth Sun Niman
2) tip sword right to bait attack
3) grab sword handle reverse grip with free left hand between Trill's hands
4) stand and pull to disarm
5) assume Kai Xe-Cresh

Juyo Cresh Velocity
Attack: Sai from Djem So
1) from Soresu raise sword to Cresh Juyo to bait attack
2) right advance step to 10:30 with Moon Cha Cho Cresh Shiim Trill's neck over attack
3) Moon Juyo with left retreat step to 9:00 and Moon Cha Cho Cresh Shiim Trill's neck
4) right retreat step to 9:00 into Cresh Shii Cho facing 3:00
5) raise sword to Cresh Djem So facing 3:00

Juyo Krenth Velocity
Attack: Sai from Krenth Djem So
1) from Krenth Soresu right retreat Hut Slide and raise sword to Krenth Juyo to bait attack
2) right advance Hut Slide and Moon Juyo with left side step to 3:00 facing 9:00 with Moon Cha Cho Shiim Trill's neck over attack
3) Sun Juyo with right retreat Hut Slide to 3:00 with orbital Sun Cha Cho Shiim Trill's neck
4) left retreat Hut Slide into Krenth Soresu facing 9:00
5) right retreat Hut Slide to 3:00 and raise sword to Krenth Djem So facing 9:00

Phase III (3 part Velocity and Blaster Cortay)

Of the many greats in this school Qui Gon Jinn is the most classical Soresu known. Born at the tail end of the galactic peace era Qui Gon was adept in the role as negotiator as well as being one of the best duelists of his time. It is under his direction Obi Wan also became a master of this form. Obi Wan, however, had to move beyond Soresu as his life time witnessed the end of peace and the rise of the Empire.

Soresu's commitment to defense through timing and distance, and use of the Shiim over the killing cut, proved not adaptable enough against faster, more aggressive, and less predictable forms. Obi Wan witnessed this himself in Qui Gon's final battle with Darth Maul.