Short Form 1

Short Form 1, Long 1, Short 2, and Long 2 are basics forms--they teach basic principles, whereas the 3s and up are techniques forms.

Short Form 1 shows us how to retreat (and cover) and block while moving from one neutral bow to another. It also focuses on the four 90 degree angles of our surrounding environment (introduced in Star Set 2).

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  1. From attention stance step with your left foot to 9:00 into a horse stance while you place your left palm over your right fist in front of your chest. This is the form salutation.
    Form_S1_0.JPG (30697 bytes) Form_S1_01.JPG (33585 bytes)
  1. Step back with your left foot into a right neutral bow while at the same time executing an inner block with your right hand toward 12:00 while chambering your left. (Make sure you block while you step--not after.)
  2. Retreat with your right foot into a left neutral bow while executing a left inner block toward 12:00 and chambering your right hand.
    Form_S1_02.JPG (29418 bytes) Form_S1_03.JPG (29370 bytes)
  1. Cover to 9:00 by moving your right foot toward 12:00 until it is just past your left foot.  This way, when you turn toward 9:00 you are in a left neutral bow.  While you are covering with your foot, execute a double-factor left outer block toward 9:00, chambering your right hand.  (Double factor means temporarily bringing your right hand across your face in an inner block as you start covering and turning toward 9:00. Then, as your right hand continues rotating clockwise, eventually to be chambered, your left hand executes the outer block in front of the right hand.)
  2. Retreat with your left foot into a right neutral bow while executing a right outer block toward 9:00 and chambering your left hand.
    Form_S1_04.JPG (30032 bytes) Form_S1_05.JPG (30518 bytes)
  1. Cover to 3:00 (by moving your right foot toward 6:00 until it is just past your left foot and then turning clockwise to face 3:00 into a left neutral bow). As you face 3:00 execute a left upward block and chamber your right hand.
  2. Retreat with your left foot into a right neutral bow while executing a right upward block and chambering your left hand.
    Form_S1_06.JPG (30879 bytes) Form_S1_07.JPG (30894 bytes)
  1. Cover to 6:00 (by moving your left foot toward 3:00 until it is just past your right foot and then turning clockwise to face 6:00 into a right neutral bow). As you face 6:00 execute a right downward block and chamber your left hand.
  2. Retreat with your right foot into a left neutral bow while executing a left downward block and chambering your right hand.
    Form_S1_08.JPG (28495 bytes) Form_S1_09.JPG (29842 bytes) Form_S1_10.JPG (29114 bytes) Form_S1_11.JPG (33469 bytes)

    (Note: the 2nd and 4th photos above are the same as the 1st and 3rd--just from a different angle. Photos 1 and 3 are from the same camera angle as the other photos above and below.)

  1. Rotate clockwise bringing your left foot up into a horse stance facing 12:00 and finish with the same salutation as in step 1.
  2. (Feet together, hands at side, and bow to complete.)
    Form_S1_12.JPG (32501 bytes) Form_S1_0.JPG (30697 bytes)

Note: as an advanced student, instead of finishing with step #11, repeat the form, but "B"-side.

Principles of Short Form 1

(retreating with front hand block)

Walking neutral stance
Blocking with stance
Four 90 degree angles
Rotation and counter-rotation
No extra motion
Use solid base

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