Next Standard Belt Testing

 

The fundamental objective of martial training is to enhance an individual’s probability of survival. In the context of social interactions and creative development, the skills that martial artists acquire, such as focus, self-control, self-discipline, and effective personal interaction, are essential for navigating the challenges of modern society. Moreover, martial arts directly correlate with an individual’s chances of survival in violent situations. While we fervently hope that such situations never arise, we strongly advocate for individuals in such circumstances to possess the knowledge and abilities to defend themselves. This approach surpasses the scenario where an individual lacks the necessary skills and abilities to defend themselves in a violent encounter.

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“It is better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war.”

~ A paraphrase of a Chinese proverb

 

Each individual’s journey is distinct and personal. It is unwise to compare one’s own progress to that of others, as their experiences are unrelated to the fulfillment of one’s potential on one’s unique path.

At the foundational level of skill development, the primary objective is to enhance the application of that skill. This improvement in ability and proficiency equips individuals with greater resilience in navigating various situations.

The sole means of assessing personal progress in a skill or ability is by comparing the individual’s current state with their previous state.

Nevertheless, there are objective metrics that can be employed to evaluate personal development and skill acquisition. AIK utilizes the following metrics to assist students in self-assessment:

 

Youth Ranks

Ages: 4 to 7

At the youth level, effort is the primary metric employed to determine a student’s eligibility for promotion. If a young child can execute the necessary combinations and techniques at an age-appropriate level, they will be eligible for the Belt Test and Rank Promotion. This serves as the foundational requirement, as consistent and enhanced effort facilitates continuous development over time.

 

Junior & Senior Ranks

Ages: 7 and up

At this level, more than effort is required for reasonable development. Although the differences in age and life experience are taken into account for each individual martial artist, they must maintain a functional understanding of the self-defense patterns and be able to execute them at an appropriate level based on their rank. With increased experience, advanced skills can be developed and refined, leading to the practitioner’s ability to perform at a noticeably higher level of movement, intensity, accuracy, and awareness.

To provide our students with a means of self-assessment, our instructors utilize a grading scale as follows:

 

• F - Failed:

The sole possibility of a student receiving this grade would be due to their complete lack of effort in demonstrating the pattern of motion while standing completely still.

 

• R - Relearn:

A student will receive the grade 'R - Relearn'” if they demonstrate an inability to recognize their actions, resulting in a non-passing grade.

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• G - Gross Body Movement Proficiency:

Upon demonstrating proficiency in the fundamental self-defense patterns at the basic level, a student will be awarded a ‘G - Gross Body Movement Proficiency’ grade. This grade serves as a recognition of the student’s ability to execute the patterns effectively and in a recognizable manner, indicating that they possess the requisite patterns for their respective rank.

Without achieving the ‘G - Gross Body Movement Proficiency’ grade, a student is ineligible for any higher grades, irrespective of their proficiency in ‘I - Intensity of Movement’ or ‘A - Awareness of Application, Positioning, and Timing’.

The ‘G - Gross Body Movement Proficiency’ represents a reasonable and essential developmental focus for all ranks. However, for beginner levels (White, Yellow, and Orange belts), it is imperative that the majority of their attention and effort be directed towards this aspect of their training. Acquiring this grade for beginner-level students is an exceptional achievement and should be their aspiration.

In a less lethal environment, this level of performance can be observed in individuals who are willing to learn and master a new task, despite their initial slow progress and inefficiencies.

 

• I - Intensity of Movement:

Building upon the retention and refinement of the ‘G - Gross Body Movement Proficiency’, the next logical area of development is an enhanced level of intensity. This is achieved through the refinement of one’s ‘G - Gross Body Movement Proficiency’, which enables the individual to develop increased efficiency in their movements. This enhanced ability is often visually perceivable as a significant increase in speed within individual actions, from their initiation to their conclusion.

Without the presence of ‘G - Gross Body Movement Proficiency’ and ‘I - Intensity of Movement’, a student cannot attain any higher grades, regardless of their ‘A - Awareness of Application, Positioning, and Timing’.

It is customary for intermediate-level students (Purple, Blue, and Green Belts) to experience substantial gains in their ‘I - Intensity of Movement’, resulting in a noticeable enhancement in their capability to endure a violent encounter.

In a less lethal environment, this might manifest in an individual’s proficiency and willingness to engage in any given task, which they are skilled in performing, with a palpable eagerness

 

• A - Awareness of Application, Positioning, and Timing:

Once a student has refined their 'G - Gross Body Movement Proficiency' and developed an 'I - Intensity of Movement', the next logical area of development is an enhanced level of awareness. 'A - Awareness of Application, Positioning, and Timing' is an intellectual and analytical capacity that enables real-time adaptations and adjustments in response to an evolving situation.

Although it may be challenging for an inexperienced individual to discern 'A - Awareness of Application, Positioning, and Timing' within self-defense patterns, an experienced martial artist will intuitively recognize its presence.

Simple examples of how 'A - Awareness of Application, Positioning, and Timing' can be perceived include:

• When a practitioner is scanning their environment while covering out.

• When a practitioner is holding their ground and utilizing borrowed force in a technique where the opponent is falling into the strike instead of shuffling forward and jamming their power range.

• When a practitioner waits the appropriate duration after a strike for it to settle into the opponent, allowing them to position themselves for the next strike.

 

It is customary for advanced-level students (Brown and Black Belts) to experience significant improvements in their 'A - Awareness of Application, Positioning, and Timing', resulting in a tangible enhancement in their ability to survive a violent encounter.

In less lethal environments, this skill can be observed in an individual’s ability to present information effectively during a speech or while teaching. It manifests itself through the practitioner’s capacity to maintain the attention and interest of their audience. When executed with exceptional skill, this information is received and retained more efficiently due to the presenter’s awareness of the most effective methods of communication with their audience.