The disconnect between techniques and real life confrontations is that techniques have a set ending point whereas real life confrontations end when the attacker stops all hostile action. Kenpo techniques were not meant to be set-in-stone solutions to attacks. They are meant to teach you the principles of fighting which you then use as appropriate in the given situations.
So, when I practice techniques, I practice the set pattern and cover at the appointed end of the conflict (end of the technique). When I fight or spar, I will use pieces of the techniques and again cover at the end of the conflict.
Un-calculable circumstances arise in every conflict and you should be training to deal with these circumstances on the fly. If you are training in this manner, what makes you think you will cover out prematurely?