Pre-emptively declining ranking.

[evergrey]

OSU,

So there's a ranking coming up this week. I'm feeling conflicted about it.

See, my instructors decide whether or not someone is going to go up for rank. We get tested, and we can fail, but we are NOT to ask to test. I trust my instructors, and I have faith in them...

But on the other hand, I do not feel that I am up to snuff to test for 5th kyu yet. My kata is too choppy, and I have not had enough practice at kumite lately.

Tuesday is tameshiwari class, and Thursday is ranking. My Sensei will be with me Tuesday, but he is out of town Thursday. Normally they ask him if he wants me going up for rank or not, but he won't be there.

Should I tell the head instructor that I don't feel ready yet for the next rank test?

Opinions welcome, though I may or may not agree. :}

OSU!

[evergrey]

(This is purely academic, though, because my Sensei just told me that he's going to tell the head instructor himself that I'm not quite ready yet, lol!)

[DWx]

Its really up to you evergrey If you really don't want to grade or don't feel ready, its your choice and decision to make. Going up for testing should be a both a personal decision and a decision by your sensei. If you don't feel ready your heart won't be in it and you probably won't perform your best. Besides, its better to be wicked good 1st kyu than a bad or mediocre 1st dan.

My own instructor nagged me for about 1. 5 years to do my last grading but I just didn't feel ready to commit to it so I held off.

[evergrey]

Oh yeah, for shodan testing they warn you a year ahead of time at this dojo! But this is just 5th kyu. :}

[ninjanurse]

Sometimes the student doesn't know he/she is ready...train every day as if it was a test.

[Dobbersky]

Oh yeah, for shodan testing they warn you a year ahead of time at this dojo! But this is just 5th kyu. :}

Dunno about your 5th kyu, congratulations on you KF blackbelt, did you get a certificate!

As at this post I still got about 105 posts to go before I get mine

[JusticeZero]

Test or no, ask the instructors "What do I need to improve to get ready for my next belt?" without referencing any specific testing date. that should get you the feedback you need without looking like you're in a rush to test.

[Dobbersky]

Test or no, ask the instructors "What do I need to improve to get ready for my next belt?" without referencing any specific testing date. that should get you the feedback you need without looking like you're in a rush to test.

Totally agree with this

Although I believe its part of your instructor's responsibility to get their students ready for each grading

[evergrey]

OSU,

Thanks Dobbersky! :} I just got more responsibilities, haha!

I often check in with my instructors, asking what I need to improve on and how.

I actually had intended, when I first started training, to never test for rank. I was just going to remain a white belt forever. That kind of went out the window when I joined a formal dojo, however. :}

I don't think I'm getting out of it next ranking though! I'm working on my kata a lot, and working on asking my sempai and senseis to spar. At least the ones whom it's okay to ask to spar with. The high protocol types who say "YOU ARE CHALLENGING MEEEE???!?!?!" I have to HINT at, lol.

OSU!

[JusticeZero]

The high protocol types who say "YOU ARE CHALLENGING MEEEE???!?!?!" I have to HINT at, lol.

"Yes, master, because I learn so much from getting stomped flat by you in ways that I had never even thought of!"