A short bit of commentary on the SRKF curriculum

When I did my black belt, I screwed up my stick form. It was during stick three, and during the open-x stance and sword blocks I forgot how many I was supposed to do. Oh no! So I did an extra one, deciding that more was better than less. As expected, it was noted by Sifu Brinker, whose comment in response was, "The extended version...I like it."

Why am I telling you this? Simple, it's to illustrate that it when it comes to a grading, any grading from your first striping, to the black belt test, it is the how and not the what which is important. If you can't remember which is the reverse hooking and which is the inside, I don't see the issue as long as both are done right. It is the same thing with combinations; we'd rather you memorize them, but that's not what the stripe is for. If you take nothing from this post, remember this:

The only stripe for memory is Theory, all else is skill.

Granted, you won't get far with forms if you don't remember them, but the memorization is such a small part! It's about your techniques, your footwork, your centering and about your ability to adapt when things go awry. If you falter once during an otherwise beautiful form for any reason, you died. The invisible ninjas got you. We'll remember you in our hearts.
When doing combinations, it isn't imperative that you know every little one on your curriculum. Why? Because those combinations are only a few of the infinite possibilities that are open to you! If you focus too much on the finger, you'll miss all the heavenly glory (thank you Enter the Dragon for being so very poetic)
Can you shadow box? If I do a combination you've never seen, can you replicate it perfectly on the spot? These things should be your concerns!

In short, don't get caught up in the words, focus on the kung fu

Ben Davies
Silent River Kung fu
Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada
www.silentriverkungfu.com