|
<< Click to Display Table of Contents >> Navigation: Forms and Sets > Long Form 1 > Appendix A - Reverse and Opposite |
Reverse and opposite are words we commonly use in not only the English language but also our American Kenpo language. But most people take these two words for granted and don't really think about the two words, what they mean, and what is the difference between the two. The purpose of this section is to clarify these two words in the reader's mind.
First let's start with the definitions of these two words. We will limit the definitions to definitions that are directly related to self-defense and specifically American Kenpo.
1)
To go in a completely contrary position, direction, order, sequence, timing, etc... - as in movement.
2)
Completely contrary or opposing - as in definition, strategy, idea, concept, theory, or principle.
3)
The back side of anything.
1)
To go in the opposite position, direction, order, sequence, timing, etc... - as in movement.
2)
Completely contrary or opposing - as in definition, strategy, idea, concept, theory, or principle.
3)
The back side of anything.
The first thing one should notice is that the only difference between these definitions is #1. #2 and #3 are exactly the same. And, the #1 definitions are pretty close to one another. The major difference being the words "completely contrary" and "opposite." From this we can deduce that the terms reverse and opposite are generally very similar and can be, and often are, used interchangeably - but differ in subtle ways, depending upon the context in which each is used. As implied in the definitions, these terms, like a lot of terms, have both a physical and mental aspect to them.
In regards to physical motion - opposite and reverse at times can be used interchangeably as long as the physical motion stays on the same line, plane, or circle. Once deviation from a common line, plane, or circle occurs, opposite may still hold true, but reverse is no longer applicable. A good example of this is the concept of Reverse Motion vs Return Motion.
In regards to conceptual matters - one typically refers to opposing concepts or positions as opposites not reverse. For example, one would say the left is the opposite of the right, but not the reverse. Also, one typically refers to the antonym of a definition as the opposite, not the reverse.
Therefore, reverse is typically limited to physical motion, and more specifically, physical motion on the same line, plane or circle, but opposite can be used in regard to both physical and conceptual matters and is slightly more generic - but they cannot always be used interchangeably.
Also, its not always incorrect to refer to opposing concepts or positions as a reverse, Its just more common to refer to them as the opposite.
To go further into opposite:
The most common ways to think about opposite motion is:
•Extreme ends of anything - as in hand / foot, left / right, top / bottom, back / front
•Delivery / Retraction - as in moves
•Opposing directions - as in Close the Gap vs Open the Gap
To go further into reverse:
The most common ways to think about reverse motion is:
•Playing a video tape or movie backward
•The same motion going in the opposite direction on the same line or plane