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The threes are at the center of the American Kenpo form complexity spectrum. What is meant by this is that there is an equilibrium between both extremes of the complexity scale by balancing attributes from each end of the spectrum. This symmetry in complexity can be established by the fact that the threes start from an attention stance (like the higher forms), rather than a horse stance (like the lower forms), and are composed of self-defense techniques (like the higher forms), not just grouped base maneuvers (like the lower forms). Also in this same vein of thought, the threes have both a short and long version (like the lower forms) and not just a long version with no formal short version (like the higher forms).