The difference between forms and sets

(comments by Mr. Dave Hopper from a conversation on Facebook, November 2021)

The Chinese martial arts refer to forms as movement groupings that are designed to preserve style lineage, practice movement flow, and develop attributes such as extension, range, agility, transitions, balance, etc.

Sets are defined as exercise sets or combat sets (sparring sets) and seem more like what we would call drills. The emphasis in exercise sets, of course, being strength, endurance, power, speed; and combat sets focusing more on partner work.

Obviously there is overlap.

Based on that, I would submit that our weapons katas are sets because each section represents (in some sets) an exercise or “handling drill,” and in others, each section may be a combat application.

As I write, I’m thinking “set” is “a set of drills.”

That said, under that definition, our “technique forms,” seem to fit better under the definition of set, and the basics forms seem to be more “form-like.”

In Tracy’s, we use Tiger/Crane and Tam Tui. If you are familiar with those, I would call TC a form, and Tam Tui a set, much like our 18-section Punching Set.

I guess you could also move back and forth in the definition based on the intent of practice at the time.

Are you doing #4 for flow, transitions, range, etc., or are you focusing on the combat application of each separate technique?

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(according to Google's AI)

In martial arts, a form is a choreographed sequence of movements, often representing a combat scenario against one or more imaginary opponents, while a set typically refers to a series of repetitions of a specific technique or combination. Forms, also known as kata or taolu, are used for practicing and preserving techniques, improving physical attributes, and developing mental focus. Sets, on the other hand, are used to build strength, endurance, and muscle memory through repetitive practice of specific movements. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

-Forms (Kata/Taolu):

Purpose: Forms are designed to encapsulate a martial art's principles, techniques, and applications in a structured, flowing sequence. 

Content: They typically involve a variety of stances, strikes, blocks, kicks, and possibly even weapons techniques, all choreographed to create a cohesive and challenging exercise. 

Benefits: Practicing forms enhances balance, coordination, fluidity of movement, muscle memory, and provides a framework for understanding combat principles. 

Examples: Karate kata, Wushu taolu, Taekwondo poomsae, and Kung Fu forms are all examples of martial arts forms. 

-Sets:

Purpose: Sets are used to isolate and repeat specific techniques or combinations, focusing on building strength, speed, and endurance.

Content: A set might involve a series of punches, kicks, or grappling techniques performed repeatedly for a specific number of repetitions or time.

Benefits: Sets help develop muscle memory, improve speed and power, and build endurance for specific movements or combinations.

Examples: Doing a series of 10 push-ups, then resting, and repeating for several sets is an example of using sets to build strength. 

In essence, forms are like a complete martial art "story," while sets are like focused "chapters" or "paragraphs" within that story, honing specific skills and movements. 

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Mr. Hopper was pretty spot on well before Google's AI came out.

Mr. Parker, White, and Sahagun honored at the Shaolin Temple

(recently posted on Facebook by Alia White Cass) 

With great pride, I present the Stone Monument honoring Senior Master Bob White along with Grand Master Ed Parker, @kungfuphilip, and about 70 other North American Martial Artists.

"Respected Shaolin Monks, Masters, and honored guests,

It is with a heart full of gratitude and humility that I stand before you in this sacred place where discipline, wisdom, and spirit merge into a single, unbreakable force. To receive such an honor on behalf of my father, Bob White, is a moment I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

My father, like many, sought meaning in life through understanding the connection between mind, body, and spirit. He had a deep respect for the teachings of the Shaolin monks, for their unwavering dedication to mastering not only martial arts but the art of living with integrity, humility, and honor.

To have his name etched into the stones of this Temple — a place of such profound history and spiritual significance — is a recognition that transcends words. It represents not just the legacy of a single individual, but the shared values that Mr. White sought to embody in his own life: discipline, resilience, compassion, and respect for all living beings.

He was, in many ways, an eternal student — always learning, always growing.

On behalf of my family, I would like to express our deepest thanks.

Thank you, respected monks, for bestowing this incredible honor. My father would have been humbled by it.

May we all continue to strive toward harmony and balance, following the path of wisdom, compassion, and strength that you, the Shaolin monks, so beautifully represent.

Thank you."

Alia White Cass

Dr. Ron Chapél on the Alphabet of Motion

(from a recent conversation on Facebook)

When I met Mr. Parker in 63, my first lesson was on vocabulary and terms he had handwritten, and the "motion" concept probably didn't exist yet. He emphasized the importance of organization and language in communicating ideas.

It prompted me to be a Broadcast Communications Major at JC. I later realized that my personal training took me in a different direction, focusing more on the anatomical mechanical aspects of his and my previous training with Ark Wong before he created the system built on "motion.”

He described "motion" as more abstract and an extension of the dominant method of teaching at the time through mimicry. The Chinese taught "mechanics" over "motion" or proper "anatomical movement." This is a much slower, deliberate way that takes more time, but the rewards and results are greater and longer-lasting. Many from the "Chinese Kenpo" era didn't like the new "motion" system and never followed Mr. Parker into it beyond the business opportunities it created.

It caused a major split among black belt students, although many remained loyal to Mr. Parker, they refused to teach the new "system." Some strayed to Tracy's at first with the idea he was staying with the old method, but he, too, succumbed to the business aspect, creating even more techniques and franchising schools with anyone who had the money, black belt or not.

Many also either came over to, or came back to, Mr. Parker and helped with, and learned the modern system. Notable examples would be the LaBounty Lineage of Tom Kelly and Rich Planas. Chuck Sullivan didn't teach it either while remaining loyal, but instead chose to create his own "Karate Connection" based on his years of Chinese kenpo Training with Mr. Parker. Some, like Rich Montgomery, left and went with Jimmy Woo to continue in the traditional Chinese "mechanical method," while Danny Inosanto went with Bruce Lee to help him create JKD as his primary training partner. It should be noted that Danny came out of Ark Wong as well and knew the value of "mechanical over motion.”

As I said, the bulk of these people remained loyal to Mr. Parker while pursuing their own paths. This wasn't unusual at the time. The martial arts were relatively new and few, so everyone, on some level, cross-trained with anyone they encountered to expand their experiences. I did the same, while remaining close to most of the family, training with Mr. Parker, and eventually running the IKC for 12-14 years.

Rare pursuits

 

Dr. Ron Chapél on how to get faster with your techniques

(from a recent discussion on Facebook)

"Only go as fast as you can perform the stances and footwork." Speed will come over time, from physical and mental familiarity. It happens gradually, and if done properly, you will barely notice it.

A classic photo of Grand Master Nick Cerio

 (Still looking for a better copy of this photo however)

Dr. Ron Chapél on Mr. Parker breaking boards for a commercial

(from a conversation on Facebook about Mr. Parker breaking boards for a commercial promoting the International Karate Championships, see commercial here: https://kenponotes.blogspot.com/2016/09/ed-parker-breaking-boards.html )

The back story was, that Mr. Parker felt breaking boards was a useless activity and hated doing this publicity stunt to advertise the tournament. But just like adding the word "karate" back to the modern system, he gave the public what they wanted. He bruised both of his hands pretty good and his knuckles were really swollen afterward.

I remember that day vividly because his hands were visibly banged up, red, and swollen, so I asked because I worked and wasn't at the shoot. He wasn't happy about having to do it at all. But, he wouldn't let on to anybody he bruised his hands. It had probably been many decades since he broke a board. In his famous first commercial, he opened by breaking one board with a single punch and said, "Ever been attacked by a tree? Probably not." Breaking boards when we were Chinese Kenpo didn't make sense and led to one of Mr. Parker's sayings, "Always hit hard with soft, and soft with hard." Simply, Heel palm strikes to the head, punches to the body. Besides, despite the publicity garnered from board breaking, Mr. Parker thought the makiwara was stupid, and most never used it as intended. If you strike with the palm down, that is anatomically after the punch into its extension. The Chinese rightly focus on what we call the vertical punch, which then may be extended into the horizontal position as follow-through. Driving your hand into a makiwara in the horizontal position Mr. Parker called "jousting." He complained about the officials in tournaments who allowed points for doing the same thing. He said, "That's not punching. Points shouldn't be allowed for jousting."