Fun at belt test

[Kicks]

Are the belt test at your school all strict and disciplined, or is it somewhat relaxed and enjoyable?

We just had a belt test this past weekend and it was a typical day of testing. In answering my own question I'd have to say that we, as instructors and judges, try to make it an enjoyable expierence for the canidates. I find, however, that the mood for the test day is set by how well the canidates do on the first part of the test, their forms. If they do well then the day is more relaxed and not as strict as if they did poorly on their forms.

Sometimes we have humerous things happen and we all get a good laugh. Sometimes we have to crack a joke about what's going on to lighten the mood. We allow our students to cheer each other on during breaking and free sparring.

Friday night our head instructor was asking the black belts to do demostrations throughout the testing phases. His son got up to do a break where he does what's called a split kick, or siccor kick? It where he jupms high and with left leg does a front kick to the left and with his right leg does like a side kick to his right. Standing on a chair I held the board to his right. As I got up there I saw he was very nervous, this was his first time doing this in front of people. So I announced "This is a demo of the proper way to hold a board for breaking. So when Thanh does the break everyone should be focused on me." The whole place started laughing, including Thanh. When he did attempt the break he only brok the board I was holding, so I announced "Now that's the proper way to hold a board". It took the edge off of him not completing the break.

[ninjanurse]

Our main school approaches the "Test" as a celebration of the students accomplishments-the real testing done previously in class. Our branch school runs a more formal affair but testing is also done previously in class. Me? I like a formal, get all nervous and puke, kind of affair that leaves the student knowing that he did really good, or needs to re-evaluate his rank.

[karatekid1975]

Heidi answered it for me (I'm at the main school) LOL. As for me, I'm with Heidi. I like the formal test better. Cracking a joke here and there to lighten the mood isn't bad either

[Sam]

Ours go how yours go really... depends on the day and the performance- but we get students from schools all over coming to grade.... it tends to get a bit more strict the higher up you get, just as physically it gets a LOT more demanding.

[ivette_green]

Me? I like a formal, get all nervous and puke, kind of affair...

That's the kind of testee (is that even a word?) I am. I get way too nervous. Maybe next time I'll chill out a little more. Here's hoping. But I have to say, it doesn't help when you have to spar with your Sensei...

[pittbullJudoka]

At the dojo were I train we have a very relaxed promotion everyone will crack jokes or cheer the others on to help with the nerves.I like a relaxed test helps you focus more without putting additional pressure on your self.But at the same time we take the tests seriously.

[Sam]

I prefer tests to be difficult and formal - dont know why, dont like finding it easy - feels like i havent learned much

[Yamamatsu]

The tests at my school are generally relaxed. However, it is still a test. And having sensei watch you, no matter how relaxed the environment is, I always get nervous and think that I didn't do well, even though I did.

[octopic]

The best tests that I've seen or been a part of were a combination of fun and discipline.

You can't lose focus on what you're there to do, but that doesn't mean that you can't have a chuckle or two while you're doing it.

[Aodhan]

Master Lee goes with discipline first, then interjects the fun part. However, if we get out of hand, he generally slaps us back down.

Aodhan