Kenpo Karate, like many martial arts, teaches forms, or katas, which are prearranged sequences of techniques performed solo as a way to practise and refine techniques and movements. The number of forms taught in Kenpo Karate can vary depending on the specific school or instructor. Some Kenpo systems have a small number of forms, while others have dozens or even hundreds. The forms in Kenpo Karate can range from basic to advanced and may include techniques such as strikes, kicks, blocks, joint locks, and throws.

It is important to note that forms in Kenpo are not only a way to practise techniques but also a way to learn strategy and timing and to develop coordination. They also help improve focus, balance, and muscle memory. Kenpo forms can be seen as a way to condense the essence of the system into a set of movements that can be performed as a whole. As with the techniques, forms are also a dynamic aspect of the art, and new forms can be developed and added to the curriculum.

A form is a set number of self-defence techniques or basic movements practised in the air, predominantly without a training partner. This can be likened to shadowboxing, in which you practise basic movements while striking at an imaginary opponent.

The benefits of training in this way are numerous. By practising a form, we learn the basic movement patterns that make up the defensive and offensive techniques used throughout the Kenpo system. Learning in this way enables us to internalise basic movements so that they become part of our subconscious. It is only by repeating a movement over and over again that it becomes internalised to the point where you no longer have to think about it.

Forms enable practitioners to practise the same principles of technique without the fear of being hit or injured. They should be likened to shadowboxing, in which you spar with an imaginary opponent and emerge victorious every time.

When practising a form, it is important to visualise your imaginary opponent attacking you with full force and power. By imagining your opponent attacking in this way, you will be able to place the proper emphasis on executing your self-defence techniques while applying the correct timing, breathing, and settlement of your body weight.

All forms in American Kenpo are numbered to help identify each form at the relevant belt level. They are taught in a systematic and logical order, which helps students retain and understand the content of each form. Starting at number one, they progress through to number seven, although this system may be expanded in the future.

Short Form One is the first form to be taught. As the name implies, it is a short form and is the first form in the system. The next form taught is Long Form One. At each level up to and including number three, there is a short form. Long Form Four is then taught, followed by Long Forms Five, Six, and Seven.

Short forms are taught first because they are the foundation from which the long forms expand. You could say that short forms are paragraphs of motion, whereas long forms become dictionaries of motion. All forms from Long Form Three onward could be described as an encyclopaedia of motion.

As individuals who train in Kenpo, we should view forms as a way of indexing movement in our subconscious minds. This continually reinforces the movements used in a real fight. Therefore, if a logical and structured method of learning is used, the information taught will be retained at a much greater rate.

Forms in American Kenpo are designed to be progressive. There is no point in trying to teach a beginner who is just starting to train a form that is far beyond their abilities and understanding. For a student just beginning to train, it is important to provide an introduction to the basics of the system, starting with Short Form One.

“Remember: motion without definition is useless motion.”

Practise Breathing Correctly

Your breathing should be synchronised with the settlement of your body weight. All your movements should flow effortlessly from one move to the next. There should be no jerky movements and, worse still, no slapping yourself. Your movements should be executed with precision and accuracy while developing crisp, clean movement with snap and torque.

You never see a boxer slapping themselves, do you?

No, you do not.

Therefore, use trampolining and rebound action to a minimum

Point of Origin

Remember that weapons move from their point of origin. Because we have no fear of being injured by a training partner when practising a form, we can place the correct emphasis on movement where it should be. The timing of your hands and feet should change according to the situation. For example, if your opponent is visualised as standing upright, greater emphasis may be placed on increasing your hand speed.

If, however, your opponent is visualised in a prone position—for example, lying on their side—the emphasis may shift towards pinning or restraining them. In all of these situations, you must have a basic system from which to draw. By learning forms, you can alter the basic movements to fit each situation accordingly. This is why it is important to understand why you are practising a form and to learn the application of each technique it contains.

For most people, the idea of spending many hours developing forms has little appeal, as they would much prefer to spend that time sparring or performing drills on heavy bags. If, however, they were taught the relationship between all areas of the art—and how those areas reinforce one another—they might be more willing to spend time developing their forms.

Kenpo Forms