<< Click to Display Table of Contents >> Navigation:  Forms and Sets > Long Form 3 > Frequently Asked Questions > Why does Long Form Three start exactly the same as Short Form Three?

This has to do with the fact that there is a designation of short and long forms. The short forms are designed to start or introduce a specific set of themes or subjects and the long forms are designed to take those concepts and/or physical motions and expand upon the introduction. Given this rationale it is logical and correct to conclude that the long version of a short form starts exactly the same as the short version, and then the long version continues to expound upon that motion and information.

 

This fact is apparent in the ones and the twos and this practice is continued into the threes. The only major difference being is that the threes are self-defense technique based, where the ones and the twos are not. This is because the ones and the twos are considered beginner level and are often referred to as dictionary forms (i.e. forms that define motion) and the threes are considered intermediate level and are often called encyclopedia forms (i.e. forms that expound upon information about motion).