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I originally posted this in the "General Martial Arts" forum but didn't get much feedback, so I though I'd try it here:
I've seen several posts where someone says that they successfully passed their most recent test for advancement. I've been curious after reading these because it implies that passing the test might have been in question. At my school, our head instructor will not let us test unless he knows that we mastered the skills necessary to pass. (The cost to test is $45 for colored belt tests.) I've seen him hold people back because he knew they were not ready. So, you could say that by the time you test it is pretty much a given that you will advance. How does it work at your schools?
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"Only by making our beliefs into a living faith which guides us from day-to-day can we maintain the moral strength to overcome the obstacles and hardships which lie ahead." --- E. Turner
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Well JWK, it is the same at our school! We do not allow students to test unless they have pre-tested and past.. almost making it a given! However, there is always a chance that, at testing, they were unable to complete or perform at their best ability for that day! Example: boards didn't break, injury, nerves, sick, etc.. As the student progresses, rank testings become increasingly harder!
__________________ 'The man who views the world at 50, the same as he did at 20, has wasted 30 years of his life.'- Muhammad Ali
I agree with you and ladyfighter on this, but another thing to consider is the importance of passing a formal demonstration of skill in front of peers and superiors. It is the same in my school; the master gives us our black tip to indicate he knows we are ready to test, but actually testing is as important as knowing the combinations, forms, and other requirements. Can the person control their nerves enough to do these things, can they follow the formal protocol? I think the belt testing is as much about this as actually knowing your material.
In one test, I knew I had a hard reverse side kick, but when it was my turn to break a board, and the master increased the board count, I got flustered. I failed the first attempt to break and had to wait until the other students broke their boards all the while being snickered and jeered at by my peers and the master. My second attempt, I barely waited for the go ahead and the boards shattered. Still, keeping protocol was important, and it was good to realize that even I could get flustered and faulter at any time despite my confidence.
I get your and Ladyfighter's points about actually well performing on test day. Performing in front of a group can be really unnerving for some people. At my school breaking is the part of the test that has the greatest potential to trip people up. I saw someone try like five times to break a board with a reverse straight punch - even with the instructor coaching her. It was painful to watch, but she eventually got it. If she was not able to do it, she problaby wouldn't have passed the test.
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"Only by making our beliefs into a living faith which guides us from day-to-day can we maintain the moral strength to overcome the obstacles and hardships which lie ahead." --- E. Turner
Styles: TaeKwonDo, Judo, Jujitsu, Shotokan, Sieshin Juku Karate and BJJ
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JWK
I get your and Ladyfighter's points about actually well performing on test day. Performing in front of a group can be really unnerving for some people. At my school breaking is the part of the test that has the greatest potential to trip people up. I saw someone try like five times to break a board with a reverse straight punch - even with the instructor coaching her. It was painful to watch, but she eventually got it. If she was not able to do it, she problaby wouldn't have passed the test.
Well, as Miticis pointed out, performing under pressure is just as important as doing the material correctly! Because hey, if you can't do your pattern or set techinques (something you do every week) in front of a crowd, how do you expect to defend yourself at a moments notice?? Freezing is not an option!
JWK, you say she attemped 5 times at breaking? Harsh! We only allow 3 attempts at testing, we figure if you can't do it in 3 trys, go home and try again another day! Causes less injuries for sure
__________________ 'The man who views the world at 50, the same as he did at 20, has wasted 30 years of his life.'- Muhammad Ali
I dont see how forms and patterns in front of a crowd translate into defending yourself but whatev.
If you can't control your nerves and adrenaline while doing a practiced form and techniques in front of a crowd, then how do you think you'll be able to control your nerves or adrenaline when faced with a dangerous situation? It's really about learning self control, which, when mastered, will help you in many different situations.
__________________ "An eye for an eye only blinds the world." - Ghandi
"Imagination is more important than knowledge." - Albert Einstein
"Without deviation from the norm progress is not possible." - Frank Zappa
JWK, you say she attemped 5 times at breaking? Harsh! We only allow 3 attempts at testing, we figure if you can't do it in 3 trys, go home and try again another day! Causes less injuries for sure
Yea - there were five attempts ion total, though not all back-to-back. When the instructor saw she was having trouble, he took her aside and tried to calm her down. She practiced on target pads, etc. The funny thing is that watching her practice her break (again on tareget pads) in the classes leading up the test, she seemed to have no trouble - good form and more than enough power. Getting up in form of the crowd and not having actually broken a board got into her head a little. In the end she was sore but not injured.
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"Only by making our beliefs into a living faith which guides us from day-to-day can we maintain the moral strength to overcome the obstacles and hardships which lie ahead." --- E. Turner
<-----We don't do board breaking at our school. Or brick breaking...We only break things that NEED to be broken...Our car...Our windows...Our wal....Ohhhhwait...Nevermind....We still don't do board breaking though.
Glad to hear no injuries!! I'm curious, your school doesn't have board breaking clinics/classes prior to testings?
About a month or so before the test, the instructors will start practicing breaks with students during and after normally scheduled classes. There is no special class devoted to practicing breaks. The instructors let the students know if they are ready or if they need more work. Practices are normally done with target pads, although students have the option to buy boards and practice with them before the test. I typically start working on my next required break (a few extra minutes here and there) a session or two after the most recent test.
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"Only by making our beliefs into a living faith which guides us from day-to-day can we maintain the moral strength to overcome the obstacles and hardships which lie ahead." --- E. Turner
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