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American Kenpo Forms in the Order to Be Taught
Short Form I (Yellow Belt)
This is the simplest of the dictionary forms. It is a defensive form, such that it teaches retreating. It has 4 turns, turning counter clockwise 90 degrees, turning counter clockwise 180 degrees, turning clockwise 90 degrees and turning counter clockwise 180 degrees. It teaches good footwork, backing up "like you are blind" techniques while blocking and clearing the path behind you. In this form you learn to coordinate where to put your feet while the rest of your body is working independently. This is a major building block in developing skills.
Short Form I (both sides) (Orange Belt)
This addition to Short Form I incorporates a "mirror" image of the form where the student adds a repeat of the form to what was already performed at the previous belt. The repeated section is only different in that the student turns opposite to what was learned in the first half. This teaches additional awareness of footwork and helps break the student of always turning the same way. Long Form I footwork is partly based on Short Form I (both sides)
Long Form I (Purple Belt)
This form is in half part directly related to Short Form I (both sides) with the exception of added punches as counter attacks. The "first side" is completed, then 3 count blocking is added to the "second side" to inform the student of major and minor blocking. This form ends with a collection of new blocking techniques and boxing (punches) isolation as a library reference to new basics being introduced.
Short Form II (Blue Belt)
This form is also known as the cat form, since it uses extensively the cat stance and semi-crouching maneuvers. This form is very brief, but incorporates many complex pseudo-self defenses, or simultaneous movements, attacks and defenses. For the first time, the student uses the 45 degree angles of the clock and advancing on the opponent. This is where Kenpo really starts to come together in motion.
Long Form II (Green Belt)
This form is by far the longest (and last) of the dictionary forms. This form expands much from Short Form II and introduces new concepts of motion required in self defenses contained in the Green Belt. This form has over 200 motions. Many concepts used in multiple attacker scenerios are presented here. Multi Limb attacks are presented here and a gain in coordination is required for performance. This form Attacks and Retreats on the same lines, and incorporates all 8 wheel angles.
Short Form III (Green Belt)
This is the first "self defense" form and the first creation of Ed Parker. It was originally required for Black Belt, but as the system expanded new requirements were made to advance the art. This form contains self defense for grabs, hold and locks. This is the anti-jujitsu (wrestling) or subdual form.
Long Form III (3rd Degree Brown Belt)
This is an expansion to the Short Form III and contains additional self defense for grabs, holds and locks. It also contains isolation techniques to counter grabbing from the front and sides. This is also a counter jujitsu form.
Form IV (2nd Degree Brown Belt)
This is the longest form in American Kenpo and the most confusing. It teaches many new ideas, concepts and principles and changes how you look at countering striking methods. Examined in this form are defenses against punches, kicks and combinations of punches and kicks. It also examines turning with twist stances and in defending yourself in relation to peripheral vision. With counter striking you do not have the gift of using contact reading used in anti-jujitsu and must react in circular fashions. This anti-striking form is usually very discouraging to the student, as it requires progressive learning, mirroring of all self defense techniques presented and the pure memory skills required. Noted in this form are LUA (hawia'an martial art) techniques of dislocating and ripping flesh.
Form V (1st Degree Brown Belt)
This is the first Kenpo-Jujitsu form involving take downs. At Brown Belt, the Kenpo Student becomes a student of Kenpo-Jujitsu and must master the 3 concepts of laying out an opponent, these methods are studied through the use of jujitsu, and striking moves. This form has new patterns from the universal pattern involved, such as the heart shape and spiral. This form is where you learn much about using opponents as shields and barriers to your opponents as you take them down and follow up. The bodies should form an octogon around you at the end of the form.
No Form (1st Degree Black Belt)
Form VI (2nd Degree Black Belt)
This is a most challenging form, often refered to "flowering hands" in this form if you stop once, the student is failed, since the form requires ultimate flow and co-ordination as it deals with weapons. There are two new self defense techniques in this form to be learned. Defenses against clubs, knives and guns make up this form. A good performance of this form is essential to Kenpo Mastery.
Form VII (3rd Degree Black Belt)
This is the Kenpo Sticks Form, this form uses up the most area possible of all forms. This form attempts to incorporate new concepts and principles of dealing with weapons. Despite the Urban legend of "Kenpo techniques are interchangable with weapons" they are not!
End of Kenpo System.
Historical Forms
Short Form IV (formerly 3rd degree brown belt)
Short Form V (formerly 2nd degree brown belt)
Mass Attack Form (formerly 1st degree brown belt)
Form VIII (never refined and never introduced commonly into system)
-Known as the Kenpo Knife Form. Thought to be used with Gil Hibben's Kenpo knife, but was orignally written for something similar to a Sykes-Fairbairne commando knfe, or the Gil Hibben Silent Shadow knife. The most urban legends are about this form. When watched it seems that most practicioners are very uncomfortable with "knife juggling" required by this unrefined form. Also perhaps why students favour the single edged knife vs the double edged knife.
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