Forms and Sets > Short Form 3 > Appendix E

In American Kenpo, there is a common defense adage that goes: "There are only two reasons why you do anything; because you want to or because you have to". From this adage the terms Purposeful Defiance and Purposeful Compliance are derived. Yet, these specific terms alone do not tell the whole story. It is because of this omission that more terms are warranted to accurately describe the various self-defense situations and the associated reactions by the defender. These terms are used throughout the "Analysis of Short Form Three" section of this book to help illustrate the conceptual opposite relationships of the self-defense techniques in a succinct manner. Therefore, an overview and quick definitions of these terms is necessary.

First, one must start with the "why" portion of each term - i.e., the "want to" or "have to". Using the terms mentioned above, the word Purposeful adequately describes "want to". And, the opposite term "have to" can easily be described using the word "Compelled". Together, these base words can be combined with further descriptive words to create the missing terms needed to describe each situation / response scenario.

Below is a list of such terms and a quick summary of what each means.

Purposeful Aggression = An offense before defense technique (i.e., Crashing Wings)

Purposeful Avoidance = A technique that moves off the line of attack (i.e., Swinging Pendulum)

Purposeful Compliance = A technique that goes with an attack (i.e., Obscure Sword)

Purposeful Deception = A framing (or setup) technique (i.e., Reversing Mace)

Purposeful Deflection = A technique that blocks an attack (i.e., Fatal Cross)

Purposeful Interception = A technique that maneuvers into an attack (i.e., Intercepting the Ram)

Purposeful Manipulation = A contact manipulation technique (i.e., Crossing Talons)

Purposeful Opposition = A technique that opposes an attack (i.e., Circling Wing)

And, each of these terms can be easily converted into its counterpart by replacing the word "Purposeful" with the word "Compelled", as follows:

Compelled Aggression = An offense before defense technique (i.e., Destructive Twins)

Compelled Avoidance = A technique that is forced to move (i.e., Leap from Danger)

Compelled Compliance = A technique that goes with an attack (i.e., Grip of Death)

As one may have already discerned, some of the terms can be used in conjunction with one another. For instance, Destructive Twins can also be described as using both Compelled Compliance and Purposeful Aggression, because the defender is compelled to move by the opponent, but the defender also chooses to use that compelled movement to purposefully be counter-aggressive (with the double punch). Armed with these terms, one may easily and accurately describe not only the attack situation, but the defense and intent of the self-defense scenario.

Appendix E - Purposeful vs Compelled

Appendix E - Purposeful vs Compelled