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Base timing concerns the timing between multiple maneuvers (i.e. a base set of maneuvers). This perspective relates to a base set of maneuvers and how timing changes effect them. A base set of maneuvers can number as few as two or as many as all of the maneuvers in the form. This perspective allows for small groups of maneuvers to be analyzed independently of one-another; or as a sub-set of the whole. In other words, analysis can be done on a specific number of maneuvers in the form (i.e. a specific section) and look at how changes in timing effect just that section, without concern for the rest of the form.

 

For the purposes of this analysis, each "base" set (i.e. section) of the form will correspond to the numbers designated in the written and visual illustration of the form. In other words, each number in the "Execution of Long Form Two - Form Standard Execution" or "Execution of Long Form Two - Form Standard Execution - Illustration" will be considered a Base set and analyzed as such.

 

As stated earlier, even though timing is an extremely important aspect of the form, changes in Base Timing generally fall into the non-destructive category of modifications. The reason for this is because timing changes typically don't add or take away information in the form. Rather form timing changes typically add emphasis to specific information in a form.

 

Just as a kiai (see "Improving Your Execution of Long Form Two / General Errors - Breathing") adds audible and physical emphasis to a specific maneuver, timing changes can be just as effective by adding visual, physical, and intent emphasis (see Appendix D - Intent). And, sometimes changes in timing are also executed with a kiai, to add further emphasis. See "Improving Your Execution of Long Form Two / General Errors - Breathing" for more information on this subject.

 

Using Base Timing

 

To illustrate how timing can change emphasis, lets look at the first section of the form (i.e. #1 of the illustration) and analyze how timing can change which maneuvers get emphasis with each change. Rather than re-write out the entire illustration or shorthand the description to cryptic abbreviations, a description short enough to discern what each maneuver of the form is doing will be used.

 

So, each maneuver of the first section of the form will be written as follows:

 

Step-Block

Chop

Shift-Poke

Shift-Poke-Check

 

This should be enough information to build a mental visualization of the maneuvers in the form as it progresses. The only thing left is to represent the timing between each of the maneuvers. The following legend will explain each symbol that will be used:

 

 

With this, there is enough information to succinctly write a timing chart for the section of the form under discussion. For example, if the following were written:

 

Step-Block : Chop : Shift-Poke : Shift-Poke-Check

 

each maneuver in this section would not contain any emphasis. Each maneuver of the form would contain the same amount of emphasis as each of the other maneuvers of the section.

 

But, if the same section was written as follows:

 

Step-Block : Chop+Shift-Poke .. Shift-Poke-Check

 

this would denote the following:

a.the last maneuver was delayed (to emphasize that maneuver)

b.the middle two maneuvers where de-emphasized by making their individual timings shorter

c.the chop could have been changed from a major move to a minor move (if it started as a major)

 

So why is this important to the overall execution of the form? Well, lets assume the entire form was executed using the first example's timing. The entire form would have no emphasis or timing variations whatsoever. That would make for a very boring form to watch. Plus, it would give an observer no indication as to what elements of the form where intended to be important. It would be like listening to a speech where the speaker used a monotone voice and cadence throughout the entire speech. That would make for a very bad and very boring speech - no matter what was being said. But, if the same speaker were to add emphasis and voice inflections to parts of the speech, it would make for a very different speech. Even though the exact same words would have been used, the difference in what and whether people paid attention to what was being said would have been dramatic. It is the same for form execution timing. As it is said about comedy : Timing is everything.