EPAK: How many forms are there, and what are they?

[Bob Hubbard]

EPAK: How many forms are there, and what are they?

[Maltair]

"Does Kempo have forms?
Many people think that because Kempo is a highly-directed "self-defense" art that it contains no kata or forms. This is very untrue. Kempo has many form with a notable characteristic of having both circular and linear movements as well as hard and soft techniques. Kempo forms are used to teach speed and coordination of strikes as well as movement, projections and immobilizations, and various principles of fighting. Many Kempo systems of Kempo utilized a numbering system for there kata, instead of refering them by name to make them simpler to remember. It is far easier to remember Kata #3 than Naihanci-dai. The American Kenpo system utilizes the terminoly of Long Form # and Short Form # for many of there kata (i.e. Long Form 1). In such systems, often in the advanced levels, the forms take on names, such as Dragon-Tiger Form, Statue of the White Crane,etc. Another interesting thing to note is the use of the Pinan forms in many systems as well as common Okinawian, Chinease, and or Japanease forms. "
Cut and pasted from http://www.stanford.edu/group/kenpo/kenpo-faq.html


The first 4 forms (Short & Long 1, Short & Long 2) are drill forms showing us methods and motion. Forms 3-6 are technique forms. Form 7 is also a technique form, but it's running techniques using sticks. At this time I know nothing about form 8. The colored balls indicate the belt for which each form/set is required.
My notes page has additional form information. Forms

Short 1 - Drill form - Blocking while retreating Long 1 - Drill form - Blocking & countering while retreating Short 2 - Drill form - Blocking & countering while advancing Long 2 - Drill form - Blocking & countering w/multiple strikes while advancing Short 3 - Technique form - defenses against grabs, hugs and holds Long 3 - Technique form - defenses against grabs, hugs and holds - left & right sides Form 4 - Technique form - the longest and most complex form Form 5 - Technique form - techniques involving takedowns Form 6 - Technique form - techniques involving weapons (constant motion form) Form 7 - Double Kali-stick form Cut and pasted from http://www.bakerfamily4.net/kenpo/form_set.htm

Just gathering some data If we wanted to link to the actuall form, is there a preferance for source?

[Celtic_Crippler]

Is this a trick question? LOL.

We study: Parker Short 1, 2, 3, & 4. Parker Long 1, 2, 3, & 4. Parker Form 5 and 6. Parker Form 7 (stick set) and Parker Form 8 (knife set.)

We also require Finger Sets 1, 2, & 3. Stance Sets 1 & 2. Blocking Sets 1 & 2. Elbow drill and Kicking Set. Staff Set 1 & 2.

We also do "Moving Sets." They focus a lot on angles, direction, and footwork. They are basically pieces of our organizations founders (8th degree Brint Berry and 6th degree Chris Thomas both students of the late Jay T. Will) custom black belt forms. There are 5 in all.

.....I don't think I left any out......=)

[Rob Broad]

According to the Infinite Insights Series and The Encyclopedia of Kenpo

There are the following forms:
Short Form 1
Long Form 1
Short Form 2
Long Form 3
Short Form 3
Long Form 3
Long Form 4
Long Form 5
Long Form 6
Long Form 7
Long Form 8

There are also the following sets:
Blocking Set 1
Blocking Set 2
Stance Set 1
Stance Set 2
Finger Set 1
Finger Set 2
Coordination Set 1
Coordination Set 2
Striking Set 1
Striking Set 2
Elbow Set 1
Elbow Set 2

There is also the Parker Staff Set

[Celtic_Crippler]

DOH! I now see that I left out the Coordination sets in my previous post. I knew I left somthing out! lol.

[amylong]

There are elbow sets? I know an elbow drill, but I didn't know about a set.

And someone said finger set 3? I don't know about that one either.

So who came up with the kicking sets if they aren't in the encyclopedia?

At our school, we made up katas that we call 'color katas' that have 12 each of the techniques from each color level with two katas for second and third browns.

Did anyone put two-man set on there?

So many katas and sets.....so little time.

--Amy

[Celtic_Crippler]

Elbow drill, elbow set....TomAto, TomOto....lol

Two-Man set? DOH! I left out another one......where's my syllabus!?!? =)

The 3rd finger set in our organization is considered as one of our "Moving" Sets. As far as I know they are pretty much just practiced by us. I'm sure (relatively anyway) that most organizations or schools have forms and sets that are soley practiced by them outside of the standard Parker forms....kinda like the variations on techniques. =)

I always thought that SGM Parker created a kicking set....I could be wrong. I know I was told by my instructor that our version of the kicking set was a bit different from the original...whatever that may be. =)

[amylong]

It seems to me that if you cover all the kicks, then it works just as well.

As for the elbow drill/set, etc., the drill I know is really short. Only 4 elbow strikes and I'm done (one each side).

I was thinking a set would probably be longer than that.

I just love kenpo!

--Amy

[Rob Broad]

Elbow Set

Inward Horizontal Elbow
Outward Horizontal Elbow
Front Vertical Downward Elbow
Rear Vertical Downward Elbow
Front Upward Vertiacl Elbow
Rear Elbow
Obscure Elbow

[Celtic_Crippler]

I practice elbow drill like this:

Front round elbow
Sided elbow
Rear elbow
Inward overhead elbow (settle)
Outward overhead elbow (settle)
Obscure elbow

=)

[Tigerstripes]

I hope no one minds if I post this here, I do not study EPAK, but this seems to be where all the action is. First I study a sort of hybrid Parker/Tracy system created in Northern California in the early 1960's by a gentleman named Mr. Rod Martin. This system today is taught at two, maybe three schools here in No Cal, one being the Stanford University Kenpo Club whose website was the source of the the "does kenpo have forms" pasted at the beginning of this topic. Also I only know what forms are in our system through 2nd black as I havent been exposed to material past that. But I thought the similarities and differences might be interesting..
Orange belt - Short One
Purple - Long One, Short Two
Blue - Long Two, Short Three
Green - Long Three, Staff Set
3rd Brown - Book Set, Mass Attack
2nd Brown - Number Four, Finger Set
1st Brown - Number 5, Stick Set
1st Black - Tiger and Crane, Stance Set
2nd Black - Spear Set
I know we have a number 6,7, and 8 but havent got there myself, not sure if there are others. And of course we have the obligitory Thesis Kata for 1st Black and an improved, re-worked version of the same for 2nd Black.

[0nslaught]

There are elbow sets? I know an elbow drill, but I didn't know about a set.
--Amy

Strike Set 2...The Elbow Set

[Tigerstripes]

Forgot one...Black Belt set...two man form for 1st Black.

[gixxershane]

correct me if i am wrong, but there are two kicking sets.. one you learn some where around yellow or orange belt.. and kicking set two i have just learned this week as part of the material i need for my black belt test..

[Seabrook]

Yes, there are 2 kicking sets although a lot of EPAK instructors don't teach Kicking Set 2.


Jamie Seabrook

[Celtic_Crippler]

I've never seen kicking Set 2. Does anyone have the instructions or details for it? I would like to try it out.

[Rob Broad]

I've never seen kicking Set 2. Does anyone have the instructions or details for it? I would like to try it out.

Try the reference library here on KenpoTalk
Parkers Kenpo Technique Listing - 24 Technique Curriculum

[Seabrook]

I've never seen kicking Set 2. Does anyone have the instructions or details for it? I would like to try it out.

Go to KenpoNet.com

I believe they have it written out step-by-step. It's a really cool set, that emphasizes how to counter a mass attack.


Jamie Seabrook

[Rob Broad]

No need to leave this site for any of the written breakdowns

We now have them all here in the Reference Library.
Parkers Kenpo Technique Listing - 24 Technique Curriculum

[Celtic_Crippler]

Doh! I keep forgetting about that. Sorry. I guess I could answer a lot of my own questions by simply using the on-site resources couldn't I. heh