Long Form Three's history is probably the most complicated of the American Kenpo system. It is definitely the most modified of the forms in the system. This is due to the fact that, like the other forms, it was created (in the mid to late 1950's) by SGM Parker and added to the American Kenpo system in its early developmental stages. But unlike the other forms, Long Form Three had sanctioned changes made to the ideal phase of the form, and some other aspects, at various other dates. Those dates are not exact and cover a span from the 1960's to the early 1970's. Some of these changes came about due to feedback, observations, and suggestions from his students. Other changes came about due to refinements and maturation of the system itself.
In the early days of American Kenpo, as a system, the self-defense techniques did not have names. Rather, they were referred to in association with what order they were taught in the system and at what level. For example: Beginner technique #1, #2, #3, etc. Other times, self-defense techniques were referenced by other defining characteristic of the maneuvers. For example: Weapon technique #1, #2, #3, etc.
Fortunately, there is video evidence of different elements of the system at that time. This is because Mr. Parker liked to experiment with demonstrating the art using different medium. He felt that watching one perform maneuvers had some distinct advantages over just the written word. Therefore, he was known to film, not only himself, but other practitioners performing various maneuvers, from very early on. And, this practice of recording elements of the system continued sporadically throughout his life, with the last videos being the "Kenpo Karate - Sophisticated Basics" series which was never completed, due to his untimely death.
As one final note: through the medium of video, Mr. Parker was able to make some significant discoveries about motion and fold them back into the system. Please refer to the "Infinite Insights series - Volume 2 - Chapter 4" for more information on this subject.
But for the purposes of the subject at hand, proof of this early "naming" convention can be viewed in what is sometimes referred to as the "iron man" tapes. These tapes were filmed in the very early 1960's with a Hi8 recorder (without sound), and then much later (after Mr. Parker's death) converted to digital. These videos clearly show how the self-defense was referred to at that point in time.
Later (in the 1960's), the Tracy brothers are accredited with coming up with the idea of giving each technique a name - a distinct name that the maneuvers could easily be associated with. Mr. Parker found this idea to be both innovative and useful and decided to officially adopt this new strategy, even though some of the self-defense techniques already had "names", such as: "the basic four step" (Parting Wings) and "inward defense" (Delayed Sword). And, with the various other techniques that spurred from those base techniques being referred to as: variation #1, #2, etc.
But Mr. Parker decided to make a modification to this new idea by creating names using argots. An argot is a common English word that is used in a different way; one that others, not familiar with its use, would not understand. For example: branch referred to leg, wing (or twig) referred to arm, feathers referred to hair, etc. Thus, the names Buckling Branch, Circling Wing, Spiraling Twig, and Clutching Feathers.
It was officially decided that every self-defense in the system would be given a name; generally, but not always, using this codex. Then, someone came up with the rationalization that if each of the self-defense techniques were given names, shouldn't the isolation sequences in the forms? Therefore, the rationalization goes, all the combined series of motions of the form would have names. From the standpoint of Long Form Three, this campaign started with isolation #3. This isolation was broken down into two distinct names: Pinned Wing and Controlled Wing. This also continued to isolation #2b with the name: Broken Leaves. But then a problem arose with isolation #3. What about the double versions? Would that series of motions be given a name independently of the single version? Or, just referred to by the same name? And, if so, how would you distinguish them outside of the context of the form?
Needless to say, the naming convention for the isolation sequences of the forms was abandoned. Instead, these maneuvers would simply be referred to as an isolation. This came about mainly because it was quickly discovered that these isolation sequences really didn't qualify as a self-defense technique. Rather, these maneuvers can better be described as technique-lettes - a series of motions that may or may not be entirely associated to one another or against the same potential aggression.
And, as one continues to read this guide, it will become perfectly clear as to why these attempts to name the isolation sequences failed. One major reason: because that is not the purpose of the isolation sequences. In other words, these maneuver sequences were never designed to be self-defense techniques. They are targeted and limited explorations into very specific answers to very specific potential situations for very specific informational purposes. And, if forced into taking on the role of being a self-defense technique, they do a poor job at it. For a better understanding of this general subject, refer to the chapter "Understanding American Kenpo Forms" later in this guide.
Also notable around this same general time (late 1960's - early 1970's), there was a faction of practitioners that referred to the isolation sequences as an "exercise". This nomenclature came about because the maneuvers resembled a stationary exercise routine. This nomenclature never really caught on and was never officially adopted by Mr. Parker. Instead, Mr. Parker preferred the term "isolation", which better described the series of maneuvers.
It is imperative to note that Mr. Parker was not the impetus to these failed campaigns. Instead, it was taken up by some of his students, and (mostly) later dismissed by Mr. Parker. Mr. Parker always enthusiastically encouraged his students to explore, question, and try out new things. To do otherwise would not only stunt the growth of his students, but also stunt a prospective growth of the art. But he was not always there to supervise such explorations. So, he was usually not a participant. But rather, he was mostly the final determining factor (but not in all cases) as to whether these experiments would persist or not.
It must also be noted that these attempts at some nomenclature and converting isolation sequences to self-defense techniques never really died off completely, even though Mr. Parker did not adopt them. There are instances in the system that persisted beyond this era and some lineages that continue to use specific nomenclature that Mr. Parker generally discarded. And, in all probability, these particularities of the system will continue forward: somewhat due to a lack of historical and/or a thorough systematic knowledge. For more information about this, refer to the "Variations - Historic Variations" section of this guide.
Yet, regardless of historical modifications and other sorted details, unlike some of the other forms of the system, Long Form Three is consistent at when it should be taught - Third Brown Belt level. Also, Long Form Three is always taught as the sixth form of the American Kenpo system, immediately after Short Form Three.