Created by a Jedi Consular in the days of the Old Republic to compensate for weaknesses with using a lightsaber, Tràkata was a form of lightsaber combat developed for taking advantage of a lightsaber’s ability to be turned on and off, a unique quality in a melee weapon. Quickly shutting off then re-igniting the blade could confuse one’s opponent/s, allowing for diversionary feints in combat.
Mixed with Jar’Kai, Tràkata was extremely effective even against multiple opponents. However, this method was greatly frowned upon, and was almost never used by either the Sith or the Jedi. The Sith claimed that it showed weakness and demonstrated a lack of power, while the Jedi claimed that this form was unsportsmanlike. Regardless, this lightsaber form was not widely used.
Philosophically, Tràkata involved practical combat and deception, rather than single-minded determination or endless patience. It was rarely used by the Sith, as their power came from passion rather than practicality, and neither was it commonly used by the Jedi because of their unwillingness to rely on deception. The latter may, however, have utilized this technique on occasion, their purpose usually being to exert greater influence over the Force.