Since its earliest conception forms/kata/floor exercise has been the base or root of martial arts. The movements when applied can be used for self-defense on the street. The traditional forms were kept intact as each generation maintained and taught the forms as they were taught. When these forms came to America many of the applications were lost or forgotten, many instructors just didn't understand the application of traditional technique to the street.

Then in the early 1960's sport karate was born in America and things started to change. Some movements were slowed down such as kicks to demonstrate strength and flexibility. Whole sections of the "traditional form" were changed to add more exciting combinations of techniques to "impress" the judges. As we entered the 70's many competitors added jump kicks and drop kicks to enhance their form and win first place. Then came the 80's and gymnastics invaded floor exercise, cartwheels, back flips, dropping into the splits were added as was music. There were some set backs, stance, practicality and delivery of technique were beginning to become non-existent.

Through the 80's the musical division began to take off. Unfortunately some competitors performed their movements to music without "staying to the beat". Other competitors such as John Chung's form to Beethoven's 5th Symphony were carefully choreographed. John did not use gymnastics just solid stance and perfect technique. Watching his performance was compelling. He carefully choreographed his movements to the music and the music complemented his technique, you could feel the power of his sidekicks at the opening of the piece of music. Other competitors came out and performed incorporating gymnastics into their form but did not choreograph to music.

Through the 90's many knew movements were added from gymnastics and American forms started to look like Chinese Wu Shu. The aerials started to emerge, jump kicks spinning 360 and 540 degrees became commonplace. Multiple kicks while in the air became common, Jon Valera's aerial where he performed 4 or 5 kicks in one jump wowed the judges, other competitors and the audience propelling Jon to first place.

As the forms excelled the fighting stagnated, rules maintaining safety took away the excitement of the competition. An excellent example of this is the evening finals competition. At many tournaments there were over 20 competitors performing forms and less that 10 sparring matches. Clearly the audience was attracted to the flashy techniques, gymnastics, weapons and music. It was only natural for tournament producers to offer more and more form divisions and grand championships for those competitors.

The National Black Belt League was the first to try to separate the flashy techniques from the traditional and started to require a known form without the extra gymnastics in "traditional forms competition". The NBL offered more traditional form, musical form and weapons divisions than sparring divisions for a competitor to compete in. There are even team form divisions offered at many tournaments.

All of this has enhanced the level of competition and excitement for the spectator. Many of America's new champions are the leaders in these divisions. Groundbreakers like Michael Chat, Jon Valera and Bear Lobe made their mark, won many national titles and now tour doing seminars.

Personally I enjoy the forms divisions at tournaments more than the sparring. The rules have made sparring so safe and so stylized that the sparring is nothing more that a game of tag with no thought to balance and proper technique. I watch competitors land kicks and punches while falling down and points are awarded.

The form divisions whether traditional empty hand, weapons or musical are still exciting and still growing. The AYSMA will maintain this separation of "traditional and freestyle" form. Divisions will be offered for competitors to perform their "traditional form", while divisions allowing gymnastics and music will be made available to the competitor. The AYSMA has the benefit of many competitors behind it. The core members of the AYSMA want to offer our children the best. That means form divisions for traditionalist and for those prone to freestyle forms. The AYSMA intends to offer the best and most for our children, continuing the growth of the sport and promoting the evolution of forms, whether traditional, freestyle, weapons, or musical.