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The quick answer is that one should always execute a form as their instructor wishes it to be done.

 

The long answer is that this book attempts to set a standard of execution that was laid out by SGM Parker in the system he founded (i.e. created), known as American Kenpo. One of the goals of the system is to build a comprehensive logical knowledge base of human movement as it relates to the martial arts. In order to do this, SGM Parker created the forms of the system with one of the fundamental goals being the fulfillment of the saying: everything has an opposite and a reverse. One purpose of this book series is an attempt to give an understanding to how that goal was accomplished. Also, it is one primary reason why every move in the standard execution of the form is detailed as to how it helps accomplish this goal and what variations do to detract from that goal. This does not mean that one cannot do the form however they wish - they can and do. It means only that there was a purpose and a design to the forms and that the forms are not just a random collection of basics put together in a haphazard manner.

 

It should be noted that every effort has been made to detail not only the what and why of the form design, but also the original intent of the design. This was done not only through SGM Parker himself, but also through input from a large number of his first generation students.

 

Given the above rationale, there are still a number of reasons why there are varying ways to execute this form - see the "Execution of Long Form Two" and "Variations to Long Form Two" sections for more information.