Forms and Sets > Form 4 > Execution > The Salutation and Signifying

When executing a form, there are three other elements that exist within the American Kenpo system that must also be considered - the salutation, signifying, and the head bow. Signifying is specific to form execution, but is not considered part of a form. Rather, it is a non-verbal method for specifying a form's designation. The salutation is the formal salute of the American Kenpo system, and is not tied only to form execution. The head bow can be tied directly to form execution and is used only to show respect to the system, and not to any presiding judges and/or instructors.

The reason these elements must be considered is because they are formally appended to a form. The term formally is specifically used because often within informal situations the salutation, signification, and head bow are left out of the form's execution. Yet as the forms progress within the system, omitting the salutation becomes increasingly more difficult to do. This is because, by design, the salutation is more and more integrated into the form's execution. And therefore, it is often more common to append the salutation to higher forms and only omit the signification and head bow. This is in contrast to the lower forms, where all three elements are commonly omitted in an informal environment.

An informal environment can typically be defined as a situation where the form is being executed for the purposes of practice and/or review without any expectations of perfection or heightened performance standards. Good examples (but not a comprehensive list) of informal environments are:

1)practicing alone (and potentially out of the studio environment)

2)training and/or reviewing the form with peers

3)reviewing specific portions of the form

4)preparation / review for a formal situation

In contrast, a formal environment can typically be defined as the opposite of an informal environment. A situation where there is an expectation of performance and precise execution of the form. Good examples of formal environments are:

1)classes, tests, seminars, and other formal functions within a studio

2)tournaments, seminars, and other non-studio situations

Rarely is the salutation and signification omitted from a tournament environment (outside of practice for the formal execution). And, although the situations of item #1 are also considered formal, it is up to the head instructor's discretion as to whether all of these elements are omitted from the form. This may be due to time constraints, to omit repetition, or simply to shorten the execution time of the form - just to name a few reasons. Regardless, the final decision as to inclusion or omission rests solely with the head instructor.

One final point about these elements must be considered; the head bow of the salutation either at the beginning or end is frequently omitted in all scenarios. This has become such a common practice that it is now almost arguable that the head bow is considered a variation and the standard is to exclude it. It is included in this text for both completeness and historic accuracy.

One reason (of many) for this omission is that it is often considered a true bow and in antithesis to the American tradition of not bowing to others. Even though, in reality, it is to show respect to the system; many confuse this with a bow to the observing judge / instructor and therefore, prefer not to execute it. Finally, it is such a small element of the entire pre and post form execution sequence that it is often overlooked and/or or just not taught as part of the sequence.