 |
Dojo
information about us |
Techniques
details about techniques |
Katas
katas and martial apps |
|
Dojo
information about us |
Techniques
details about techniques |
Katas
katas and martial apps |
DOJO
| |
| General | |
| Instructors | |
| Classes | |
| Etiquette | |
| Terminology | |
| Style | |
| Overview | |
| References | |
| Rank Testing | |
| Procedure | |
| Rank Chart | |
| Karate Club | |
| Officers | |
At the end of your first quarter of Shorin-Ryu Karate at Wright State University, you must perform a skills test to demonstrate what you have learned. You have two options for testing. You may test to pass the class, or you can test to pass the class and earn rank in Shorin-Ryu Karate. A test for rank is also called a promotion test. It is up to you which one you would like to do. Either way, you will perform the same skills test.
The skills test is performed by yourself, in front of the class and several instructors. Don't worry, though, everyone in the class has gone through it and everyone wants you to do well. To pass the class, you must also take a written test, which consists of ten multiple choice questions about things you have learned in class.
Why would I want to promote? If your personal goal is earn a black belt someday, then you must test to promote. By testing for promotion, you may add tape to your belt to indicate your new rank. Attending class and testing on a regular basis will allow you to eventually earn green belt, brown belt, and black belt ranks.
Is my rank meaningful anywhere else? It depends on the school. Many karate schools will allow you to join their school as the rank that you have earned elsewhere. Some will require you to take that school's test for that rank, to ensure that you know what you need to know to hold that rank at that school. Note that rank generally only transfers to schools of the same style. For instance, being 8th kyu in Shorin-Ryu will not transfer into a Tae Kwon Do or Judo school.
What rank am I now? When you start Shorin-Ryu Karate at Wright State University, you start out at 9th kyu. "kyu" means "student rank". 9th kyu students wear white belts with no stripes. There are ten student ranks before black belt. At your first test, you may test to earn the rank of 8th kyu. 8th kyu students wear white belts with two green stripes.
Try to come to class early to warm up. Sensei may begin the test about ten minutes before class begins, depending on the number of people testing.
Sensei will call everyone to line up and bow in as usual. All students will then move to the back of the room and sit on the floor. Do not lean against the wall or sprawl out. Do not talk. Your behavior in the back of the room during the test is as important as your actual skills test performance.
There will be a table in the middle of the room, with three instructors who make up the testing board. If you are testing for promotion, all three members of the testing board will evaluate you. If you are only testing to pass the class, only Sensei Anastasio will evaluate you.
The testing board usually consists of the following people:
Sensei will call your name, at which point you should stand up and move quickly to the green tape square in front of the testing board. Bow to the board, then wait for instructions.
Whenever you are waiting for instructions, stand quietly in ready position: natural stance (feet shoulder width apart), hands by your side. Check your uniform after you return to ready position to ensure that it is neat and that your belt knot is tied tightly.
You will perform Fukyugata Ichi in renzuk style, which means that no one counts out loud, so you can just perform the kata at a comfortable speed for you. Don't try to rush it; just do each move as well as you can. Don't forget the kiai!
Sensei will say "Fukyugata Ichi, yoi". Move into the starting position for Fukyugata Ichi (hands fold into your chest, then press down). When Sensei says "Hajime", that is your cue to begin.
You will perform six of the repetition exercises that you have learned in class. You may do them to either side (right side or left side), your choice.
Sensei will call the name of the repetition exercise he would like you to perform, and how many he would like you to do. You do not need to memorize the order, but you must be able to recognize the name and perform the correct technique. He will not demonstrate the technique, so listen carefully.
Sensei will say "Repetition Exercises". The first repetition exercise is punching from horseback stance, so step out to horseback stance with your right fist out, left fist chambered.
You will perform three of the six repetition exercises that you have learned in class. You may do them to either side (right side or left side), your choice.
Sensei will call the name of the basic technique he would like you to perform. It will be in the order of one of the tests below, but you will not know which test you'll be performing until you are taking the test. You do not need to memorize the order, but you must be able to recognize the names and perform the correct technique.
Sensei will say "Basic Techniques". He will then name one of the six basic techniques that you have learned. He will not demonstrate the technique, so listen carefully, and perform the appropriate technique.
After you've finished the kata, return to ready position on the green tape rectangle and wait. Sensei will say "Finish", at which point you bow to the board, then return to your place at the back of the room.
After everyone has performed their tests, Sensei will ask everyone to leave the room while he confers with the testing board. This usually takes about five minutes. They will invite everyone back into the room, at which point he will hand out everyone's testing forms. The testing form has two boxes at the bottom that say "Pass" and "Retest". If the box is checked that says "Pass", then you have passed the class or earned the rank you were testing for. If it says "Retest", then you must take the test again. Speak to Sensei for details. In either case, the testing form will have comments about your performance on the test... read them to see how you can improve. The testing board is available to answer any questions you have about their comments.
Some people find that performing their skills test alone, in front of the entire class, is scary. Just remember that everyone in the room has gone through it, so everyone knows how you feel. Everyone wants you to do well and is supporting you!
If you make a mistake, just relax and take a deep breath. The part that people have the most trouble with during the Beginning test is understanding which basic technique is being requested. Just think about the words that Sensei said, and perform each move he named.
Most importantly, if you make a mistake on one technique, don't let it interfere with the rest of your test!
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