Forms and Sets > Form 4 > Analysis

Scope, from the perspective of form analysis, can be described as the boundaries one uses to perform their analysis. Another way to look at it is; what will be included in the analysis of the form. For instance, does the analysis only include the form itself? Or, does the analysis include other forms in the system? Or, should one even incorporate other parts of the system?

Answering this question as an overall strategy, rather than a hard rule, helps one better focus their attention and gives them some guidance as to when to move on to other avenues of thought and exploration. As a recommended good policy, it is proposed that any specific analysis first start with the form itself and then expand outward from there; transitioning first to include lower forms of the system, then upper forms, and finally the entire system.

To look at it from a slightly different perspective, each form can be first thought of as a self-contained entity, then a component of a larger form framework, and finally an element of the system itself. By thinking of the form in this way, one can build mental boundaries in which to conduct detailed analysis.

But, as stated, this is a general guideline, and more attuned to specific maneuvers and sets of maneuvers. But, in some cases, it is better to start in the reverse order of scope. For instance, when dealing with overarching concepts and general themes it can be better to start from the broad and move to the narrow, once the concept and/or theme is identified. This method of thinking allows one to "see the big picture" and then see how the form being analyzed fits into it.

For the purposes of this guide, the analysis will be structured as first suggested, and will be broken down into three major sections of analysis, starting from narrow to broad. Analysis generally scoped to within the form itself is referred to as the intra-form analysis section. Analysis focused within the boundaries of the forms is referred to as the inter-form analysis section. Analysis that is broader in nature, less detailed, and summarizes some of the data from the other areas is referred to as the summary section.

The reader is free to use this information in whichever order they prefer, by skipping to a section and/or specific area of a chosen section. There is no requirement that the reader consume the data from start to finish in the order presented. This order was specifically chosen to result a logical progression that one can easily reference. It is assumed that the reader will probably not consume the data in the order illustrated and will most commonly reference specific details of information to aid them in their own analysis as needed.

This does not mean that one can't read this section from start to finish. Just that, due to the detailed nature of the information, the reader will most likely not do this. And, even if they did do this on their first read, will probably not on future references to the data.

Intra-form Analysis

The Intra-form analysis section will be structured to first examine each element or section of the form, comparing and contrasting it to other elements and/or sections of the form, to ultimately build up an analysis of the entire form.

When one is performing intra-form analysis, they should be cognizant to not overlook the fact that vital information can be contained in not only the individual elements or sections (i.e. self-defense techniques), but also foot patterns, transitions, isolation sequences, omissions, etc. One should always remember that there is no such thing as meaningless motion within a form. Everything has meaning and/or purpose.

Inter-form Analysis

The Inter-form analysis section will expand to the earlier forms, looking to find ways in which the current form completes missing information, while also adding to the knowledge base of the lower forms.

When one is performing inter-form analysis, they should be cognizant not to overlook the fact that information can be directly correlated with information expressed in lower forms and/or higher forms (if you know them). During said analysis, one should always remain aware that information linked to other forms may add to previously learned information, or may only be exposed due to new knowledge articulated with the learning of the new form. In other words, what was previously perceived as meaningless, will now have meaning.

Summary

The summery analysis section will expand to include the system itself, but will also summarize some of the information presented within the two previous sections, only from the broader context of the system.

As an important note: any detailed analysis of information and relationships contained in higher form will be primarily contained in the books specific to that form and not presented in this book.

In other words, there will only be analysis of lower forms - not upper forms. To see upper form analysis, one would need to access the inter-form analysis of the upper form desired. This is done for three (3) reasons: First, the individual reading this book may not yet know any form higher than the form being analyzed. Second, this analytical information would be a duplicate of the information presented in the higher form(s). And thirdly, to keep the length of the books in this series to a manageable size.

Putting this book's analysis into the perspective of the entire series, the analysis of Form Four is far more challenging than that of the lower forms, such as Short Form One thru Long Form Two. This is due to the fact that Form Four, in essence, contains a great deal of new type of information not presented in those lower forms, and from a new set of perspectives. But, some major elements of the overall analysis do remain the same as in the lower forms. And, previous analysis completed on any of the lower forms can be used as a starting point in the analysis of Form Four.