An idiom referring to a specific type of Foot Maneuver physically distinguishable by the motion of the Lead Leg first being drawn to the Gauge Leg and then re-extended to a new location at the same relative depth as the original position.

Comments:

"V" Step can generally be thought of as a Foot Maneuver that shifts the Point of Reference to a new location by repositioning the Lead Weapons to point to a new direction. What makes it distinct is how this is accomplished. Rather than just directly shifting the Lead Foot to the new Point of Reference it is first drawn toward the Gauge Foot (i.e. to the intersection) and then re-extended to the new direction.

"V" Step is most closely associated with the American Kenpo Form Short Form Two due to one of its major themes being the intersection position. The "V" step is considered one of the common variations of how to execute the Foot Maneuvers of the form.

Technically speaking, the "V" Step does not have to shift the Point of Reference and the Lead Leg can be placed back to its same relative position it was before the execution of the Foot Maneuver. (This option is demonstrated in Short Form Two).

The advantage of the "V" Step is that it first draws away from the unknown before stepping into it, giving the practitioner the potential for greater Environmental Awareness. The disadvantage of the "V" Step is that it does not obey the Economy of Motion principle.

Derivation:

This term gets its name from the pattern generated by the Foot Maneuver of the maneuver resembling a "V".

Related Definition(s):

Compensate, Form, Gauge, Path, Range

Related Term(s):

Environmental Awareness, Gauging Weapon, Lead Weapon, Point of Reference

Related Basic(s):

Foot Maneuver

Related Form(s):

Short Form Two