500 forms

**hoodedmonk** · Posted On: 6/21/2007 10:34pm

Originally Posted by Southpaw

This thread is part of the reason why Chinese martial arts lose credibility.

Too many people trying to have 'intelligent' conversations about myths and legends.

Ark y wong! Is he myth or legend ? I think his claims are what led to this discussion.:laughing1

**kwoww** · Posted On: 6/21/2007 10:39pm

Originally Posted by hoodedmonk

I call bullshit! Hell 50 seems insane.

Agreed, unless these forms are really short.

**It is Fake** · Posted On: 6/21/2007 11:06pm

One day I'll list all the forms I was able to perform at one time. It was close to a hundred.

Do I believe someone could memorize 500 forms? Yes.

Would I learn from them? Hell No.

**Asriel** · Posted On: 6/22/2007 5:32am

If you must have forms in your system then surely a couple of empty hand and a couple of weapon forms are enough!

In 7 Star Praying Mantis there are 83 forms. 40 of those are empty hand, 1 Chi Gung and the others are weapons. Unless you're happy larping until Doomsday, how the hell are you supposed to remember all those forms while still training bagwork, sparring etc.

**Permalost** · Posted On: 6/22/2007 1:47pm

If you're interested I can start wrting out a partial listing of CLF forms. I'm sure they number in the hundred. Also, I approve of Asriel's avatar.

**It is Fake** · Posted On: 6/22/2007 2:46pm

Originally Posted by Asriel

If you must have forms in your system then surely a couple of empty hand and a couple of weapon forms are enough!

In 7 Star Praying Mantis there are 83 forms. 40 of those are empty hand, 1 Chi Gung and the others are weapons. Unless you're happy larping until Doomsday, how the hell are you supposed to remember all those forms while still training bagwork, sparring etc.

Exactly.
IMO forms were modified and added on to. At some point someone said hey, we are forgetting the original forms what about history?

Then, the focus went back to memorizing multiple forms.

I honestly feel that's why WC became respected so quickly.

3 empty hand
2 Weapons
1 Wodden dummy.

**Chuan** · Posted On: 6/22/2007 4:07pm

Originally Posted by It is Fake

Exactly.
IMO forms were modified and added on to. At some point someone said hey, we are forgetting the original forms what about history?

Then, the focus went back to memorizing multiple forms.

I honestly feel that's why WC became respected so quickly.

3 empty hand
2 Weapons
1 Wodden dummy.

And some teachers don't even use the weapon forms anymore.

**It is Fake** · Posted On: 6/22/2007 4:22pm

Yes, you are right there. Now if only they could fix some of the outdated concepts.

**Chuan** · Posted On: 6/22/2007 5:51pm

Originally Posted by It is Fake

Yes, you are right there. Now if only they could fix some of the outdated concepts.

First they must recognize is as an outdated concept, most don't.

Second they need to stop trying to shoe horn certain outdated techniques into modern ideas. (example: the X-block, stop trying to use it as a knife defense.)

If you want to keep the outdated material, fine but at least point out that this or that technique was for use against things that are not very common place in todays society and are being kept around for historical reasons. (see point one).

**It is Fake** · Posted On: 6/22/2007 5:54pm

Originally Posted by Chuan

First they must recognize is as an outdated concept, most don't.

Second they need to stop trying to shoe horn certain outdated techniques into modern ideas. (example: the X-block, stop trying to use it as a knife defense.)

If you want to keep the outdated material, fine but at least point out that this or that technique was for use against things that are not very common place in todays society and are being kept around for historical reasons. (see point one).

What X-Block isn't a knife defense? OMG the horror the horror.