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<< Click to Display Table of Contents >> Understanding Short Form Three |
So, how does Short Form Three fit into the Dictionary / Encyclopedia / Appendix analogy and within the American Kenpo system in general?
To start with, Short Form Three is the first of the more sophisticated forms, a.k.a. the 'encyclopedic' or higher forms. As such, the higher forms diverge from the lower forms in a number of ways. First, all of the higher forms begin from an Attention stance, as opposed to the Horse stance. Whereas the lower forms emphasized stability (i.e., the Horse stance) and more simplistic motions, the higher forms move toward realistic combat positioning (i.e., the Attention stance) and more advanced motions. Secondly, Short Form Three does not start with a hammering, right, inward block, like all of the lower forms. Thirdly, it does not adhere to the In / Out / Up / Down sequence of the lower forms. And finally, Short Form Three's initial maneuver is not purely defensive.
Next, even though Short Form Three diverges from the lower forms in a number of ways, it still builds on the foundation which was originally set in place by Short Form One. First, this form continues to extend the demonstration of the concepts of opposites (e.g. left / right, up / down, in / out, etc) and reverses (e.g. forward / backward, inward / outward, clockwise / counter-clockwise, etc). But, it also extends this demonstration to more sophisticated and conceptual structures of defense and offense, such as: distance, direction, position, height, method, intent, severity and category of attack; and considerations, strategies, methods and goals of defense - to name a few. Secondarily, the foot patterns laid out in Short Form Three continue to build upon and relate back to the foot patterns of the lower forms in a number of ways.
Finally, it is correct to deduce that since Short Form Three is the first of the higher forms, it would set a new foundation in which the remaining forms will build upon. It is also correct to conclude that this new foundation is more conceptually based than that of the lower forms. And finally, it is also correct to reason that this foundation is primarily centered around attack, since the forms have shifted from being wholly constructed of base moves to being primarily built from self-defense techniques. One key element of this new foundation is based around category of attack. Of the three (3) major categories of attack: dead-handed, semi-live, and live; all of Short Form Three's attacks fall into the first two (2) categories - i.e., the most embryonic of attacks; with the sole semi-live attack having a distinct purpose for being included in the form.