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If one were to simply apply self-defense rule #1: "always establish a stable base" to the forms, they might come to the conclusion that the practitioner should never leave the ground. But rather, they should always try to maintain that established base at all times.

 

And, while this is generally a good practice it is not a hard and fast rule. Instead, it is a general rule. And as such, has exceptions. Form Five exposes one such exception to this rule, and how to effectively and more correctly apply maneuvers when not adhering to said rule.

 

What is this exception? When the potential opponent is in a position where they are less of a threat, and not adhering to the rule is considered relatively safe. In this case, the opponent is on the ground and/or with their back turned toward us (i.e. exposing their rear center-line). In other words, when the practitioner thinks it's safe.

 

And, although this does answer when we can leave the ground, it really doesn't answer why. That requires further explanation.

 

To fully answer this question, one must go back to the definition of an American Kenpo form. This definition may be expressed as follows: "American Kenpo forms show the rules and principles of motion, that everything has an opposite and a reverse, and gives an example of this." And, each of these elements of the definition are important and are used in the answer.

 

First, "the rules and principles of motion". If one were to leave the ground, one should do so correctly. To accomplish this, one should adhere to the rules and principles that govern such movement. Proper execution of Form Five implicitly expresses these rules and principles throughout the form.

 

Next, "that everything has a reverse and an opposite". One way to look at this part of the definition is that Form Five displays the opposite of continually maintaining a solid base by leaving the ground. And, the reverse of settling (downward motion) is leaping, jumping, hopping, etc. (upward motion).

 

And finally, "gives an example of this". This part of the definition is expressed all throughout the execution of the form, in a vast number of ways. But for the purposes of answering this specific question, one way to look at this is: the practitioner can strike with a left weapon, a right weapon, or both simultaneously. This is easily accomplished with the upper limbs, but the only way to express this category completely with the lower limbs is to have both feet leave the ground, in order to strike simultaneously.

 

Logically speaking, this means the practitioner should leave the ground completely at some point. And, since Form Five is considered a high ranking form, it is logical to place such advanced maneuvers at this point in form progression. And, do so in a distinct number of different ways - for the purpose of adhering to the definition of an American Kenpo form.