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It is an undeniable fact that Form Four is a complex form. A long and complex form. A long and complex form with a lot of important details and information. Details, that if glossed over or misinterpreted, would result in a loss of some of this important information. To expect every generation of practitioner to flawlessly maintain every detail within this elaborate form is almost unimaginable. Without question, over time and multiple iterations of teacher to student successions, small and/or large alterations will find their way into the form's execution. And thus, changes to the intended information will also be introduced.

 

That is why a book such as this is so important. A reference book to consult as needed. Something to maintain the original intent - the intricate data - the designed execution. In short, a direct route back to the start. A guide book that has done the hard work of recording these many details for future generations. Not trying to force a specific "standard", but merely documenting the original.

 

There will always be those that will perform Form Four differently from what is illustrated in this guide. This book's intent is not to try to force a change, but rather provide a link back to the first generation of the form's execution. Back to how it was initially implemented; cataloging the information that this form was designed to impart to the practitioner. To establish and record Form Four's purpose and role within the greater scheme of the American Kenpo system.

 

In order to accomplish this goal, a "standard" must be established. That is just a fact of writing a guide such as this. Something specific must be written and illustrated. So, whether a "standard" is intended or not, a "standard" is the result. But efforts were made to account for this consequence by also illustrating some of the more common and/or significant variations. These sections, as contained within the written illustration, will be denoted with a heading of "Variation".

 

It must be stated, at this point, that it is a nearly impossible task to detail the almost innumerable variations that have arisen for this form over time. And, new ones are created all the time. And, as declared earlier, this is not the purpose of this book. So, it does not even make an attempt to do so.

 

Because of the fact of not including as many variations as possible, it now must also be stated that there is no direct nor indirect intent to slight nor disrespect any specific lineage by exclusion. The documentation of Form Four was done as unbiased as possible and without any personal or individual preferences.

 

That is why the word "standard" is always in quotes within this book when discussing the execution of the form. To continually reiterate this fact to the reader.