Forms Training

Forms mastery is where the heart of traditional martial arts resides.  Mastering forms means mastering your style. When you earn your black belt you are being recognized for having mastered the basics of a specific style. Your forms training makes up the foundation upon which your black belt is earned.

In forms training we follow three specific phases, taught in a specific order,  to achieve forms mastery:

• Sequence

• Technique

• Flow

Flow is considered the pinnacle of forms mastery but the majority of students never get to that phase in their training. We all focus on sequence first because that gives us a base from which to practice. Once we get the sequence memorized we start focusing on perfecting each technique within the sequence. Once sequence and technique are sound, we are now ready to tackle flow.

Flow in forms is comprised of two major components. The first is the flow within the individual techniques of the form. A thrust punch has a distinctive flow. That flow is defined by the way the left and right quadrants balance with equal and opposite energy along with how the lower quadrant stabilizes and supports the upper quadrant.  This technique flow is usually as far as most students delve into the overall flow of forms.

To master your forms, and therefore your style, you must define flow beyond just each individual technique. Each individual technique’s flow is influenced by the technique that came before and the technique that comes after. Therefore flow training must encompass the transitions between the techniques as well.

For many of you this article will seem somewhat basic and obvious. It will not trigger an ‘aha’ moment. For the more advanced students there is an opportunity here to take this article and apply it to your understanding of intent and recognize its unmistakable link to flow.