The following is a rough guide to grading Syllabus. Part of grading and training involves what we call our Fighting Forms (aka Karate's: Kata, Tae Kwon Do's: Patterns). There are 10 forms presently. Senior grades may be aked to perform a Fighting Form "Free Directional", I.E Student to perform techniques but in grouping and direction of their choice.....
Below are basic requirements for Freestyle Gradings: (NB. Minimum period of 12 weeks training as white belt before yellow belt grading or at instructors discretion, although not emphasised intermediate pass may be given as Yellow Tags with follow on assessment for full yellow belt promotion at no cost). Minimum period between coloured belts should be 12 weeks and 26 weeks between Black Tags and 1st Dan Black Belt. 2 years between 1st and 2nd Dan. 3 years from 2nd to 3rd Dan. 4 years from 3rd to 4th Dan. Any gap in training greater than 12 weeks will extend by a year period to wait.
1/White - starter grade, nothing required to "gain" this level. However, a period is spent at this level prior to 1st Promotion.
2/Yellow - Fighting form 1 must be performed & to perform necessary basic techniques, 1 step & free sparring
3/Green Tags - Fighting form 1 & Fighting from 2. Perform various Techniques, 1 step & free sparring
3/Green - Fighting form 1 & Fighting Form 2 & Fighting from 2A. Advanced techniques, 1 step & free sparring.
4/Blue Tags - Fighting form 1 & Fighting form 2 & FF2A & Fighting form 3. Advanced techniques, 1 step & free sparring.
5/Blue - Fighting forms: as above & Fighting form 4, Multiple advanced techniques, 1 step & free sparring. Techniques MUST be clean & fast.
* A double promotion, (moving up 2 grades) is feasable, student must have shown a clear ability difference compared to fellow level graders and selectively high consistency on marking, Not possible Blue and over.
6/Red Tags - Fighting forms 1 - 2 - 2A - 3 - 4 & Fighting form 5 .Multiple advanced techniques, 2 step & free sparring. Various
5/Red - Fighting forms 1 - 2 - 2A - 3 - 4 - 5 & Fighting form 6 Senior Advanced techniques, 2 step & 2 - 1 free sparring. Various
9/Black Tags - Fighting forms 1 - 2 - 2A - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 & Fighting form 7.Various sparring, self defence techniques >
Minimum period before 1st Dan can be done is 3 years:10/1st Dan Black Belt - Fighting Forms 1 - 2 - 2A - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 & Fighting Form 8. 1 & 2 step & free sparring, 2 - 1 free sparring, all techniques in expert fashion. Self Defence techniques including various take downs & interventions. Showing speed, agility, correct distance & good balance & understanding of use of techniques with movement. "Burn out" - a physical & mental torture to finish with.
Minimum period prior to 2nd Dan Black Belt grading is 2 Years.11/2nd Dan Black Belt - All of 1st Dan tasks and Fighting Form 9, techniques must be seen to be of speed and control, defence from multiple attack, knife defence & power testing.
11b/2nd Dan Instructor - All tasks as above but with proven ability to handle & teach Students. Being able to motivate & understand Students, earning their respect through your own ability. Showing humility. Student must also have practised continually for a minimum 6 year period.
Minimum period prior to 3rd Dan Black Belt grading is 3 Years.12/3rd Dan Black Belt - All Fighting Forms to perform and a "Free Direction" Fighting Form, one chosen by Student the other by Examiner. Varying Exercises to be performed as with display of general techniques or as requested by Examining Master(s). 3rd Dan Grading only takes place with at least 9 years continous training, which can be verified by a recognised Instructor.
Minimum period prior to 4th Dan Black Belt grading is 4 Years.
12/4th
Dan Black Belt - Under Scottish School of Martial Arts Association Directorate, (Founder Alex Wasinowisc 5th Dan). 4th Dan is an Instructors promotion being awarded after appropriate period for tenure by Instructor. This level Grading should only take place with at least 13 years continous training, which can be verified by a recognised fellow Instructor or Association. Minimum period prior to 5th Dan Black Belt grading is 5 Years - Under Scottish School of Martial Arts Association Directorate, 5th Dan is an Instructors promotion being awarded after appropriate period for tenure by Instructor. This level Grading should only take place with at least 18 years continous training, which can be verified by a recognised fellow Instructor or Association.
SIGNIFICANCE OF BELT COLOURS
There are six belts: white, yellow, green, blue, red and black. White is given to beginners and black is given to students who have progressed through the grades and have a solid foundation for learning the techniques of your Martial Arts.
The definition of the belts are as follows :
White Belt:
Signifies innocence, as that of the beginning student who has no previous knowledge of their Martial Art.
Yellow Belt:
Signifies the earth from which a plant sprouts and takes root as the foundation of your Martial Art is being laid.
Green Belt:
Signifies the plant's growth as your Martial Art skills begin to develop.
Blue Belt:
Signifies the Heaven towards which the plant matures into a towering tree as training in your Martial Art progresses.
Red Belt:
Signifies Danger, cautioning the student to exercise control and warning the opponent to stay away.
Black Belt: (1st Degree/Dan)
Opposite of white, therefore signifying the maturity and proficiency in your Martial Art, also indicates the wearer's imperviousness to darkness and fear.
An expert in your chosen style. (Yet...)just still a beginner.....
Students must grade through the following belts in the following order:
white belt given to the beginner (9th gup)
yellow belt (8th gup) Requires Fighting Form 1, (FF1)
yellow belt green tags (7th gup) FF1 & FF2
green belt (6th gup) FF1 & FF2 & FF2A
green belt blue tags (5th gup) FF1 & FF2 & FF2A & FF3
blue belt (4th gup)) FF1 & FF2 & FF2A & FF3 & FF4
blue belt red tags (3rd gup) FF1 & FF2 & FF2A & FF3 & FF4 & FF5
red belt (2nd gup) FF1 & FF2 & FF2A & FF3 & FF4 & FF5 & FF6
red belt black tags (1st gup) FF1 & FF2 & FF2A & FF3 & FF4 & FF5 & FF6 & FF7
through to Black Belt (1st dan/degree).
Black Belt (1st Dan/Degree) FF1 & FF2 & FF2A & FF3 & FF4 & FF5 & FF6 & FF7 & FF8
Black Belt (2nd Dan) FF1 & FF2 & FF2A & FF3 & FF4 & FF5 & FF6 & FF7 & FF8 & FF9
Black Belt (3rd Dan) FF1 & FF2 & FF2A & FF3 & FF4 & FF5 & FF6 & FF7 & FF8 & FF9 & FF10
