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As a general rule, all American Kenpo forms will have various "correct" ways of execution. This is due to a number of factors. But, each factor can be whittled down to one common and important characteristic, they each effect the "standard" execution of the form. Now, carry any of these change factors out a couple of instructor-to-student generations, and you get a resulting form with variations from the beginning of the cycle. But, each generation will swear that they do the form correctly. And, in their mind they are correct. Who is to say otherwise?

 

Why is the word "standard" in quotes in this section? Because standardization, as it relates to American Kenpo, can be a relative thing. Even Mr. Parker would change the execution of various forms for various reasons. Most of the time for one demonstration, but sometimes permanently.

 

For example, American Kenpo, as a style that we recognize today, was developed and evolved over a number of decades. During this time, SGM Parker got a large amount of feedback from a great number of direct and indirect students. Whenever he found feedback that was sound and reasonable, he would roll that feedback into his system. But, doing so would leave a number of students that were already taught the form with a slight variation from the now current "standard." Granted, this was infrequent, but it did happen.

 

Another reason for alternate "standards" of a form is that Mr. Parker would sometimes vary a form slightly while teaching it to a specific individual. This is called giving the form a signature. This practice was done so that when a new individual would come to Mr. Parker making claims as to their lineage, Mr. Parker could "test" the individual by having them perform a single or series of forms. From what he saw, SGM Parker could determine whether or not they were being truthful. With this knowledge, he could quickly determine the relative reliability of the individual. But, this practice has a serious side effect - the signature became a "standard." Why? Because that is how the practitioner learned the form from SGM Parker; and, the individual can correctly say that SGM Parker taught them to do the form that specific way. And, they are correct.

 

A third reason for a "standard" is the, "doesn't effect the information in the form" reason. This comes about because American Kenpo forms can be considered "books" of information about the system. But, certain moves and/or maneuvers can be altered slightly without information being lost or altered in the form. These changes are considered acceptable to the instructor, and as a new generation is taught the form, they will learn it slightly differently from the previous generation, generally without any information about the original version and reason for the change.

 

Probably the most common reason for a "standard" comes about from human error. The scenario goes like this: Mr. Parker teaches a student a form. The person goes home and practices the form, but forgets or accidentally varies the form in some way. But, they never get any further correction and/or feedback from SGM Parker about the "new" way of doing the form. They now teach it to a student with the change, each believing it is the correct and original way of executing the form. And, the cycle continues.