<< Click to Display Table of Contents >> Navigation:  Forms and Sets > Short Form 3 > Frequently Asked Questions > Why aren't the techniques of Short Form Three executed exactly like I learned them for self-defense?

The purpose of American Kenpo forms is to demonstrate the rules and principles of motion, that everything has a reverse and an opposite and give an example of this concept; where the self-defense techniques do not have to adhere to this definition. As such, the self-defense techniques chosen to be placed within a specific form may have extraneous and/or redundant motion and information (from the form's perspective). Since these extra attributes are not required to convey the needed information for the composition of the form, these 'extra' motions are sometimes removed and/or altered. These alterations to the ideal phase of a specific technique are often clues as to where to look to find information that is both included in the form, but also information that is purposely excluded from the form.

 

Also, American Kenpo forms must adhere to a series of rules about pattern and direction. When a self-defense technique does not completely adhere to these form prerequisites, they are frequently altered to comply.