Black Belt promotionals

[claflintsd]

Warm-up, brief lecture, ALL curriculum (line drills, forms, self defense) then board breaks (1 board suspended punch, 1 board suspended spin hook kick), free sparring one-on-one, then multi-attacker.

Another brief lecture.

The end.

It took about 3 hours.

[Kodakmint]

All curriculum and sparring.

[Groinstrike]

Our black belt tests are an all day affair.

During Liverpunch's test last summer we started off the day shoveling and entire trailer full of pea-gravel, followed by an obsticle course that included tire throwing, rope climbing, sledge-hammer swinging, sand bag hauling etc.

We then report to the dojo for cardio-centric drills, breakfalls, rolls, iron shirt drills, questions based on our systems philosiphy and finally the black belt testee is subjected to 60 minutes of continueous sparring, puking is expected and encouraged.

[Zaine]

That sounds amazingly intense. By which I mean awesome.

[sensei8]

Both my Shindokan Karate-do and Kobudo Hachidan tests took several days each to complete.

My formal testing days are behind me....forever.

[sensei8]

Our black belt tests are an all day affair.

During Liverpunch's test last summer we started off the day shoveling and entire trailer full of pea-gravel, followed by an obsticle course that included tire throwing, rope climbing, sledge-hammer swinging, sand bag hauling etc.

We then report to the dojo for cardio-centric drills, breakfalls, rolls, iron shirt drills, questions based on our systems philosiphy and finally the black belt testee is subjected to 60 minutes of continueous sparring, puking is expected and encouraged.

Quite intensive Clay. I loved your statement in the bold above.

[Liver Punch]

I do enjoy a good puke. I was rolling with one of our purple belts the other day - whom I'd never worked with, and he rode my back in turtle position forever while trying to sink a choke. He eventually got it and I tapped, rolled over, and said "that was fun." He thought I was kidding, and couldn't imagine that I enjoyed having his hand/arm digging at my chin for 45 minutes. I suppose we've just got a different philosophy.

I for one, think everyone's Black Belt test - at least their first one - should be a torturous affair. A black belt is a big deal, and one last push to ensure the person testing isn't a quitter simply ought to be made.

[Montana]

You guys are gonna hate me, but my shodan test was on 7/19/1978, and I was tested by Okinawan Sensei Kuda Yuichi, the head of my system, and lasted maybwe 10-15 MINUTES!

Sensei Kuda was visiting (his first vist to the USA) for 3 weeks total, and we had been working with him for 2 weeks when he tested us. He had already seen what we could do at that point, so the test was merely a formality. We generally don't place a whole lot of "big deal" on promotions, although we hit the sake pretty good after the class was over.

Believe me, my shodan certificate means more to me than any other I've received over the years and it hangs on my wall surrounded by my torn and ratty origional black belt as a central focal point in the room.

[ninjanurse]

You guys are gonna hate me, but my shodan test was on 7/19/1978, and I was tested by Okinawan Sensei Kuda Yuichi, the head of my system, and lasted maybwe 10-15 MINUTES!

Sensei Kuda was visiting (his first vist to the USA) for 3 weeks total, and we had been working with him for 2 weeks when he tested us. He had already seen what we could do at that point, so the test was merely a formality. We generally don't place a whole lot of "big deal" on promotions, although we hit the sake pretty good after the class was over.

Believe me, my shodan certificate means more to me than any other I've received over the years and it hangs on my wall surrounded by my torn and ratty origional black belt as a central focal point in the room.

My karate promotions were much the same way....Sensei would say after class "next time wear _______ Belt" to class.

[quinteros1963]

What is the 'speech' about? Was this just a really long workout or was there an actual test in there somewhere? I've always been with the JKA and its offshoots so I've only ever seen the short tests that are just basics, sparring and kata...20 minutes floor time, max, for each person. What is the point of all the rest?

my instructor would say the point is:

how do you react under stress? Basics are easier when you are fresh.

you should display some level of improved fitness. Kata will come after 10 rounds of sparring. Sanchin is 10 times as hard when you are exhausted.