On Nov. 23rd 2013 assembled a panel of 13 blackbelts, 7 of which are actual members of Bullshido. The youngest was 12 years old and had been training for over 8 years. The other adults averaged almost 8 years between them. Before they were allowed to test they had to pass a lot of preliminary exams including:
Grappling Qualification (equivalent to a blue belt in BJJ for adults)
Weapon's proficiency (see video)
Physical fitness test (work out for an hour before test time; again see video)
Kicking proficiency
Striking proficiency
Theoretical Self Defense Concepts
Practical Self Defense
2 rounds of San Da rules striking (With fresh opponents)
1 round of MMA sparring (Junior candidate did Pankration rules)
1 round bare knuckle
1 round multiple attacker
Power and focus exam: 10 boards with hand and 10 boards with foot in less than 1 minute each.
Power break (they chose brick)
There are schools out there that believe everybody should be able to get a black belt. There are some schools that have their candidates show up, do a few forms, break a board and qualify children with less than 2 years experience.
I can’t speak for the entire forum but I believe if Bullshido could give some criteria to what a “Black Belt” test might look like I believe this might be it.
If it was a grading Bullshido members had created, the candidates would be sat to one side waiting, while we all argue over the criteria for 20 pages. 30 seconds before it got decided, Sirc would come in, shit all down it and leave, forcing another 15 pages of arguing between ourselves about something previously unrelated.
Once the exam is finally ready to proceed, someone will pronounce it ‘racist’.
Anyone passing will only get respect if they aren’t from Europe, and anyone that fails would hop over to MAP and complain that the panel are all meatheads who don’t understand the spiritual value of respect.
By the end of it, we’d all agree that fat people are funny, and then wait 18 months for the syllabus to get Necroed by some n00b who’s complaining that the test is invalid because “aids needles”
A black belt in what style? If I was in charge of designing a black belt test for a grappling style, I probably wouldn’t have punching or kicking. I wouldn’t have strikers do grappling either.
As long as the test covers the stuff the style claims to cover, as far as I’m concerned it’s golden.
This seems more like a my style is better than your style kind of post.
[QUOTE=CrackFox;2806887]A black belt in what style? If I was in charge of designing a black belt test for a grappling style, I probably wouldn’t have punching or kicking. I wouldn’t have strikers do grappling either.
As long as the test covers the stuff the style claims to cover, as far as I’m concerned it’s golden.
This seems more like a my style is better than your style kind of post.[/QUOTE]Really? Did you even bother reading? Are you arguing for the sake of arguing? Is that what you’re getting from this?
You’re not a new member of Bullshido so why don’t you go seek some counseling and find out why you’re really making these statements.
[QUOTE=Permalost;2806885]Its sorta hard to evaluate as a test format when it jumps between places, times and people every few seconds. Looks like good stuff though.[/QUOTE]Do you actually want to watch over 12 hours of video just so you can see the testing format?
You’re building good martial artists and you’re doing them a favor with the rigorous testing. They will come away with things more valuable than punching, kicking or grappling.
[QUOTE=Omega Supreme;2806891]Really? Did you even bother reading? Are you arguing for the sake of arguing? Is that what you’re getting from this? [/QUOTE]
When you read Crackfox’s posts remember his pedantry is milder, but is in the same vein as mine.
Yes, we could parse it like Crack just did, but that ISN’T what you asked.
Interesting, I’d have to see more, but it looks like something many of us would agree on.
I cannot help but watch that and feel a little envy. That grading would have been awesome to go through. If you had any self-doubt about yourself after that, then there would have to be something wrong with you.
That looked like an exhausting but fun process, and like a lot of things that I have experienced in my TKD and Judo training through the years (minus the full contact striking of course). Great stuff.
[QUOTE=NeilG;2806919]Stopped watching after a few seconds of the weapons stuff, couldn’t take it any more.[/QUOTE]You could have just fast forwarded through that. (I fucking hate you kendo snobs)
[QUOTE=Omega Supreme;2806875]
I can’t speak for the entire forum but I believe if Bullshido could give some criteria to what a “Black Belt” test might look like I believe this might be it.[/QUOTE]
Not having studied any CMA (nor achieved a black belt in anything) I’m can’t really comment on what a Kung Fu Black Belt test should entail (nor really any black belt test for that matter).
However, the following elements tend to reflect my understanding of the Bullshido tenets and would/should form part of any test Bullshido would endorse, if we were miraculously able to avoid Ignorami’s prescient conclusion:
*Testing of conditioning as well as skill.
*Testing of skills across all ranges of the style.
*Pressure testing skills with aliveness against capable opponents.
*Conducted by a suitably and verifiably qualified Instructor.
Physical fitness test (work out for an hour before test time; again see video)
Kicking proficiency
Striking proficiency
If it was me planning it, i think the fitness part should be separate and more measurable, like a certain time you need to come down from for a mile run, a certain push up, pullup number etc. Maybe add some crossfit oriented drills (like a combo of burpees sprints and pull ups needed to be done under 3 minutes). I would not do it on the same day, i would do it routinely and for a candidate for a black belt it should be clear what the level should be. He should pass those “tests” a few times a year and keep in good condition the entire year. You could also condition the application by being able to perform a full split and certain specialized physical abilities needed for a black belt.
The striking proficiency part: I would like to see them punch and kick MT mitts, doing some planned combos, and having a round of improvised combos with some pressure from the holder (he attacks and presents freely). If the holder is one of the evaluatours he can asses the force and focus of the strikes first hand. The guys on the side can evaluate technique, leg work and reaction time to the target or threat presented.
The sparring part is good, though if you had inter-club competitions, it could be better to give credit for participating and especially winning those matches.
Bottom line a black belt in kung fu should be someone not to fuck with. I guess if you want to make some exceptions for women and youngsters you can compare them to their own demographics.