<< Click to Display Table of Contents >> Navigation:  Forms and Sets > Form 4 > Frequently Asked Questions > Why aren't the techniques of Form Four executed exactly like I learned them for self-defense?

There are three (3) different divisions within the American Kenpo system. These divisions are: Basics, Self-Defense, and Freestyle. Forms fall under the division of Basics. More specifically, they are known as moving basics. This is important because each division is designed to have specific goals and skills that the practitioner must learn and master. In the Basics division, the practitioner is not really concerned with defense within a combat situation and more concerned with defining, understanding, and learning the rules and principles of motion to aid in such a situation. Another way to say this is that the Basics division is designed to help one learn the motions, concepts, and principles that will be used within live self-defense, but in a safer, less immediate environment.

 

As stated numerous times within this series, an American Kenpo form is defined as follows: forms show the rules and principles of motion, that everything has a reverse and an opposite, and give an example of this concept. It is important that one understand this definition before attempting to perform any type of analysis upon the forms. And, this question is a type of analysis.

 

Understanding this answer is critical to understanding American Kenpo forms. It clearly demonstrates that the purpose of the different divisions of the system have different designs, goals, structure, and functions within the system. The system is not just a bunch of impressive movements strung together to create American Kenpo. There is a targeted and planned intention behind every aspect of the system.

 

Another way to answer this question is to understand that each of the forms of American Kenpo has very specific themes and goals associated with them. And, the maneuvers of the form help reinforce the objectives of that form. Many of the maneuvers of the higher forms are also part of a self-defense technique. And, the self-defense techniques are part of another division within American Kenpo. Therefore, when those self-defense maneuvers are brought into a form they are no longer executed under the aim of self-defense, rather, they and are executed to fulfill the requirements of the form. Because of this, the self-defense techniques may be altered and/or modified as needed to achieve the goals of the form.