I am sorry if this did not come across correctly (lack of time to explain on my part I think). I was not challenging you. I have only been exposed to our type of testing; I have my opinions on the strength and weaknesses of this format. Since I have not been in a structured test I can also see the weaknesses, but I don’t know the strengths. I was assuming you also would see the ups and downs of your style. I seriously just wanted your opinion since yours is so much different from ours.

Again all I was looking for was an honest opinion since it does seem that with the testing exception we have similar MA backgrounds.

As a side note the GM talked about how it was where you where pulled aside and given your belt when you where ready and lamented doing that in certain circumstances.

As far as ups and Downs for our style of testing,

Ups - you only know the basic requirements for the rank, you have NO CLUE what will actually be on the test. Basically you need to be ready for anything and everything

Using my test as an example – I had a student that has been with the school since the early 70’s tell me that he has never seen the GM do this before.

Down side – consistency – we have none. This sometimes shows in the students. It would be my assumption that this would be one of your strong points for your style of testing – I would assume your BB would be of consistent quality.

The detail I left out was you are required to have Senior BB sign your testing paper approving you for testing. The number of signatures required varies on what rank you are going for. This was not a requirement for me, I can only assume it is due to the GM telling me I was going and not me asking if I can go.

I believe the reason for BB-Color belt integration is so as a color belt you get to see what is coming.

I hope this helps explain what I was asking for.

-JBC-

As an aside – your comment about failing the test reminded me of the kid getting KNOCKED THE $*%& OUT. Nobody expected that to happen and it kind of hit home for everybody I think. – lets just say test where taken a bit more seriously after that

Thanks for explaining JBC. I have never really looked at ours to see what the ups and downs are and have just accepted what is done. I feel odd for even thinking of it as I feel I would be dishonoring my Instructor by questioning how he does things. However I know him to be a fair and just man and know that I could freely speak to him about anything and he would take the time to explain things. Even if we did not agree he would be civil and nothing would change between the two of us.

The Ups: It is structured and you know what you will be testing for and so therefore can prepare for this.

The Downs: It is structured and you know what you will be testing for and so therefore can prepare for this. Plus it is only basics you have to show so there are some that just squeak through that probably shouldn't. Some can't becaue of physical reasons and others just don't put that much into it.

Myself with physical injuries I still have pushed on but I know I could have done better, but my motives are good. I have good drive and determination but realize that I need to work harder at sparring thought I excell in our school with grappling, however this is not tested. Earlier in my training I did miss one board on a back kick but had enough to pass. This bothered me as it was my strong leg that missed. I actually failed my first red belt test due to I could not do either side for my 360 spin back kick so had to retest 6 weeks later which I made sure I passed.

There are probably others but consistancy is certainly a pro to the way things are done. Well structured and very thorough but again some can slip through the cracks by doing the basics. They may never exceed at this ... but then again I may not either. I however have the drive and determination but I put a lot of that into grappling, falling techniques, one-steps, clinches, joint manipulation, strength, speed ... and this takes from what I should be putting into sparring or forms.

One thing I would like to know “One-Steps 1 – 9” please explain…

I know One-Steps to be like the following
Attacker – Defender both at junbee (SP?)
Attacker – Steps back w/ right foot into a front stance w/ Down block – Kihapp (this means they are ready)
Defender – Kihappp (This means they are ready)
Attacker – Steps forward with right foot and throws a right punch always to the center (unless the defender requests a high or low punch)
Defender – performs a block – counter combination –Kihapp to signal he is done.

There is always a required amount that increases as you advance. This can get nasty come promo time if GM wants it to.

As far as stressing over promo, I think your type would kill me. I am a hyper perfectionist and would beat myself to death over the reqs. Our style I just look at as another class only this one has spectators – I do still stress a bit but not as much as yours would bother me.

One thing you would really dig about our school, anything learned in class is tested – this includes Hapkido and TKD. I have had the pleasure of working out with several different styles; this also can be integrated if you can do it correctly. An example would be in one steps, an arm bar is not a finishing move in our system, where as an arm break would be. So if you stop at the arm bar it does not count. So if you know some Kungfu etc and can make it fit the rules (finish the fight) it is accepted.

As far as the “Why” it is in my nature to always ask this. It is the reason why I really love forms work. Why am I doing this, why should my hands be here, etc, etc, etc. I have several times questioned the reason for things with the GM – politely and respectfully of course

As a side note, I got some interesting new today. I am getting a scheduled class again (one of the best time slots for our school too), and I am going to the “Big City” to the GM’s instructor’s school for a forms clinic (cost covered by the school) - I am looking forward to that one.

I gotta go for now, I have an early customer appointment.

-JBC-

At my school Blk Blts and White Blts are scheduled in at the same time that morning, but they don't test at the same time. Its not until 11:30a that color belts start testing for promotions.

Annnnnnnnd, you were rdy to test. From April up to now you had close to 5 months worth of prep time. Shoooooooooooot, I wish I could get those kinds of breaks between test.

Hope you passed!!.. And congrats if you did!

In order to help this drill become more effective, with respect to realism, try these simply modifications:
1- attacker does not step back before attacking, they should attack from a natural standing position, like a pararrel stance, without 1st moving away from the target
2- attacks should be limited to 1
3- the attack should not be pre-arranged
4- the attacker must try their best to strike the defender
5- counter attacks should be limited to 1, remember a true opponent will not attack using a single technique, nor will they stand still & pose or cooperate with the defender
6- the distance is determined by the attacker, according to the techniques used for attacking, for example, knee to groin, close quarters, side kick, further apart, flying kick, even further apart, not that too many flying kicks happen in the street, but attackers do come running at you
7- the counterattack should be approriate for the vital spot attacked

Thanks for the input but these are set skills that are requirements in our training, as are form, sparring and breaking. HOWEVER, we do train with realism as well that include many of the ideas that you suggested. These will include joint manipulation against unresisting and resisting opponents. Throws, sweeps and trips against unresisting and resisting opponents. We will include grappling, ground n' pound, clinch work, knees, elbows, and also throw them all together so drills include everything from stand up to take down to submitting. These preset drills are just a training tool and I believe a very effective training tool.