Darth Maul's lightsaber can be used either single or double bladed. The single blade approach is more appropriate when the fighter is on the offense and wishes to use the weapon more as a sword, to thrust and go in for the kill. This also means the lightsaber is not completely disabled even if it loses one of its blades in combat. This technique is best used in one-on-one combat so the fighter can utilize slashes, thrusts and parrying, which is the circular motion of the sword to ward off an oncoming blow. But use appropriate caution. This approach can cause your downfall if you're too cocky. Obi-Wan Kenobi was more powerful than Maul realized and was able to defeat Maul by using the strength of the Force for a surprise attack.
With both blades engaged, Darth Maul is able to fend off lightsaber attacks from two opponents by alternately blocking each attack. This defensive action has two benefits. It protects the fighter and wears down the stamina of his opponents. This technique in and of itself is not aggressive in this context since it is not meant to strike. This does require physical agility on the part of the fighter because swift reflexes are required to avoid being destroyed by the opponents. Unpredicted backflips are especially disarming for the opponent and keep the fighter one step ahead. Used successfully, these movements can maneuver the opponents into a more advantageous location for the fighter.
The aggressive use of the double-bladed lightsaber is not only dazzling but deadly. With learned skill, the fighter can spin his weapon to keep the opponent off-balance, and he will never know where the lethal blow will fall. By twirling the saber in a windmill-like pattern as he advances on the opponent, the fighter turns the table from defensive to offensive. The opponent will never know which end will be used against him, and this is when physical attacks like kicks and punches should be utilized. In the case of Qui-Gon Jinn, Darth Maul used the base of his saber in a surprise move that disoriented Qui-Gon enough so that a thrust toward the torso could not be deflected.