Force powers were the manifestations of a Jedi, Sith, or other Force-adept’s connection with the Force, an energy field that bound everything in existence. These powers were supernatural abilities not described by science. The powers were usually taught by Force-using organizations, but there were examples of individual, self-improving methods of learning to use the Force. There were many kinds of Force powers, but not all were available to a single person, since some of them required a deep connection with one side of the Force and others were secret. Also, as a side note, it should be taken into account that the Force is not «magic,» nor does it have specific «spells» or «powers,» and they are far more interrelated than the list might suggest. Alternatively, the Force was used as a form of magic by users such as the Witches of Dathomir, Nightsisters, Mind-witches, and users of Sith magic and Sith alchemy.

The Force had a range of powers that functioned in accordance to fundamental attributes that were cardinal in nature, and categorized by the way in which a user was able to focus on the Force while using an ability. The aspects of the Force were divided into Control, Sense, and Alter by the Jedi Order. Under these three themes were several core abilities, that could be expanded upon and changed, depending on the user. Stemming from the core ability were several different ways to manipulate the Force, some of them mainstream within the Jedi and Sith teachings, others personally developed and unique.

The various abilities listed above have been seen in the movies, the Star Wars Roleplaying Game and Star Wars games licensed or developed by LucasArts, where ‘official’ names and definitions are given. In some of the games, the Potentium theory that Force powers themselves were not inherently dark, but rather reflected the alignment of the Force-user is sometimes stressed, depending on the source–other games cause characters to become more in line with one or the other Side of the Force based on the powers used.

The Control/Sense/Alter splitting was developed for RPG rules, and was treated as game mechanics, but the Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force canonized it as in-universe.

Note that some powers, although they have multiple names, are describing the same power, in different levels or ways of use.

It is also important to note that the rigidity of the above system sometimes reflects the various game design and storytelling strategies, as opposed to some actual delineation–as an example Force Choke and Force Pull are both refinements of Telekinesis, but applied in different ways, though many characters considered Force Choke to be of the dark side due to its being used to strangle people.

Despite its name, the Force kick is highly unlikely to be a power.