I agree for the most part with what you are saying . These are the problems with CMA and TMA in general that practice forms, they practice them without disecting them and utilizing the techiniques within the forms and drilling them on a resisiting opponent, they do not demonstrate the forms the way it would be applied.
If they did there would be no problem.
I do not practice or teach this way.
I never was taught to do forms just for forms sake.I was taught how to take the techniques out of the forms and drill them with resisting opponents and always sparred and fought.
Anyone that believes that doing /practicing forms alone will help them become a better fighter is dillussional , and just a beginner.
For anyone that wants to learn real martial arts, forms practice is a small percentage of what they should focus on.
Forms give you stability, balance, flexability, speed, agility, etc. in addition, they teach you proper body mechanics , weight distribution, ambidexterity, etc.
Forms are not all of what people think they are, everyone needs to look deep inside them to find the true meaning and stop just looking at the surface