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Form Five, like many of the upper forms, is not taught to every American Kenpo practitioner. At first, this may sound like an incorrect statement; but stop to think about the number of students that start their training in our art, but never make it to a rank high enough to learn the upper forms. And, this number grows larger with each higher form. Because of this fact, less people know Form Five (or name your favorite form) than know Short Form One.

 

This becomes an important factor when thinking about the long term effects it has on the system. Less individuals knowing a form means less minds to verify its ideal execution and intended informational goals. And as time goes on, it becomes more and more likely that changes will inadvertently happen. Changes that may never be caught nor corrected. And without a large number of "experts", these changes may become permanent and spread to the point that it replaces the original foundation.

 

To look at this issue from a slightly different perspective, imagine that one person, an important person made an error in their implementation and/or understanding of a lesser known form. This person had a great number of students and passed this error down to his/her disciples. But there was another, smaller group, that did not have this error within their lineage. Without some form of agreed upon foundation, the larger group would most likely prevail, over time, in their assertion of correctness - even though, from an externally objective standpoint there was indeed an error.

 

The solution to this dilemma, is already stated in the problem. There needs to be a foundation. A bedrock on which everyone can reference. This does not mean that the larger group will recognize and reform their error, it only means that there is a definitive guide available to them; if they wish to do so. The difficult part of this scenario is developing such a guide.

 

This is one of main the purposes of this book series. To develop a guidepost for other practitioners to rely upon to receive reliable and unbiased information. In short, a standard upon which everyone can reference. The key to these previous statements is the word "reliable". Why is this word important? Because if someone can rely upon something, they can refer to it as needed with confidence.

 

But, as stated in the other books in this series, and implied above; it is not the purpose of these books to force anyone to change what they know and do as it relates to any form. It is intended that these books create a foundation upon which any practitioner, beginner to expert, can rely and refer. One that is definitive, unchanging, and attempts to take as many perspectives into consideration as possible.

 

In recognition of these stated objectives, a decision was made to place the word standard in quotes. This way the reader is always reminded that the proposed standard is presented as just that - a proposal. It is left up to the reader to determine whether the presented information meets with their specific targets.

 

Stated another way: these books are not intended to force anyone to do anything. In contrast, they are only an attempt to provide a definitive guide to those who are so inclined to take advantage of it.