This subject alone would be worth a book to those interested in the association and its forms. The story of how we got to where we are today in the use of forms is one of the most complicated puzzles I have ever solved.

Upon Sensei Moore’s return to the U.S.A., he brought with him a set of forms from Ji Do Kwan Kong Soo Do, and a set from Shotokan Karate. Once here he continued learning forms.

His alignment with USKA, and his taking over of an Okinawan Isshinryu dojo with students ranging from White to Brown belt, all determined what he would teach at the time.

Trying to switch the school over to his requirements, yet not start everyone from the beginning left us involved in quite array of Kata that slowly switched. The forms, in the order I learned them were; "Seisan", "Pinan #1", "Seiunchin", "Heian #2", "Naihanchi", "Pinan #3", "Wansu", "Heian #4", "Bassai-sho".

Very confusing since I was attempting to perfect some forms that had technique that were two belt levels above where I learned the form. This taught me a lesson that stayed with me. Kata being learned should contain and reflect the same technique the student is learning at the time.

Master Herrington and I re-instituted the "Tague" and the "Pinan" forms. We left "Bassai-sho" at Purple Belt where Sensei Moore taught it. We put "Hung Gook Hyung" in at Green Belt, and "Koreo" at Nidan.

We used "Palsek-dai" and "Jion" at Brown belt. "Empi" occupied the Shodan slot.

Master Herrington would teach an extra Kata for tournaments, "Butogeri #12". I didn’t. I would teach extra Kata "Naihanchi #1" and "Wansu" to students who excelled in forms, but not specifically for competition.

The day Master Herrington died, this was the arrangement of the forms, which I was teaching as "Certified Association Forms".

Since the death of Master Herrington, I have added "Sanchin" at Green Belt. I have then separated the three Brown Belt ranks for specific technique and Kata, instead of using it as a "Catch-All" level.

I have brought in "Bassai-dai" at 3rd Brown. It is actually the same form as Palsek-dai. It is the sister form to Bassai-sho and was taught by Moore at Brown Belt.

I have added "Bo #1". A form based on "Pinan #1" that was developed by Sensei Robert Moore and Sensei Tom Benich. Sensei Benich, a Song Moo Kwan practitioner was a top ten competitor in USKA for years. This Bo form took many 1st place awards. It is truly an American Form. Sensei Benich died in an airplane crash in the 80’s.

"Jion" is at 2nd Brown and I added "Nunchaku #1". Master Ted Hines taught this Nunchaku form to me. It is a Shito-ryu form adapted for tournament use.