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Definition / Entomology:

The Formulation Equation is a comprehensive method of analyzing a base move - which embodies all possible ways of changing that base move. The Formulation Equation is also known as the Equation Formula.

 

The Formulation Equation can be summarized as - "to any given base move, you can":

• Prefix

• Insert

• Suffix

• Rearrange

• Alter

• Adjust

• Regulate

• Delete

 

The term Formulation Equation is derived from the name of the Formulation Phase of a base move. The formula itself was created from categorizing all the different ways of changing a base move that may be discovered during the Formulation Phase.

 

Usage / Purpose:

The main purposes of the Formulation Equation are to:

• establish a means of determining all alternate paths of action

• aid in developing new patterns of response for any given base move

 

Although each element of the Formulation Equation are distinct and necessary to complete the definition, some elements can be confused or misinterpreted. For instance, in a general sense the Formulation Equation can be broadly defined by the following activities:

• Add to the base (i.e., beginning, middle or end)

• Reorder the base elements

• Modify an element of the base (i.e., alter, adjust or regulate)

• Remove from the base

 

But, in its complete form, each element of the Formulation Equation are defined as follows:

• Prefix - add prior the first element of the base

• Insert - add somewhere in the middle of the elements of the base

• Suffix - add after the last element of the base

• Rearrange - reorder the base elements

• Alter - change the weapon and/or focal point of an element of the base (i.e., finger thrust to punch / face to body strike)

• Adjust - change the range and/or angle of an element of the base (i.e., penetration depth of finger thrust / straight to downward, diagonal path of straight punch)

• Regulate - modify the speed and/or force of an element of the base (i.e., heel-palm to push / punch to pushing punch)

• Delete - remove an element from the base

 

Other closely related American Kenpo concepts that may be researched further are: Variable Expansion and the three (3) phases of self-defense technique execution and analysis (i.e., Ideal Phase, What-if Phase and Formulation Phase).