Grading is in 2 weeks time, so that means next week will be the
training before grading! Juniors, you might have heard about grading but
don’t really know how it goes. It’s okay, we all start learning from
somewhere.
Before grading, the most important things would be firstly interest in grading. Grading is NOT COMPULSORY
but of course is encouraged unless you would like to stay at a certain
belt colour for a long time. Since grading is also charged separately (
about 70+ dollars), some might prefer to save the money and go for
grading 3 months later.
Second. If you are interested, you need to have
adequate attendance. I am not really sure about the exact number, but a
rough estimate is 12. If you have been going for all trainings, you
don’t need to worry. If let’s say unfortunately you do not meet the
attendance requirements, your attendance from the 3 months before the
grading will be taken into account for the next grading. So let’s say
requirement is 12, and you only have let’s say, 9 trainings. You are
unable to go for grading. The following 3 months you attended another 9
trainings. So it’s 9+9 = 18 trainings, you qualify for the next grading!
Do note that if you have successfully completed and have been promoted
after a grading, your previous attendance will not be counted. So let’s
say you have 12 attendance, you go for grading, you will start at zero
attendance at the start of the next 3 months.
Remember, 12 is not the exact. And I am not sure about what the exact is now.
Third would definitely be skill. Of course you don’t
need to be like Rurouni Kenshin or 48 Ronins during sparring to enter
grading. If you have put in effort to properly execute your syllabus’
cuts, and have adequately proper footwork, you can join in for grading.
If you are seen to be not ready enough for grading, your senseis will
tell you, but of course, they are not gonna bar you from grading unless
you don’t meet the attendance requirement of course.
During grading, for entry level (without gi), your cuts, footwork, partner kihon, moving kihon, WARM UP, sparring, KI AI and various other stuff will be taken into account by the examiners. Even small things like bowing or FIDGETING
while in attention can affect as well.. Oh and see how warm up is in
caps? Yes you are graded in warm ups, and expected to know the warm up
sequence. If you do not know all of a sudden, DO NOT turn to your partner and ask, or there goes a few points. I will do another post on the warm up sequence later.
Since Kiai will be taken into account as well, are you finally
encouraged to kiai~? Since there are several advantages to kiai, it is
considered important. So kiai loudly, but don’t scream, just use the air
from your diaphragm. If you have a soft voice, just put in effort and
try to kiai. Better than not doing it at all right?
Next week will probably be mock grading, and the
procedure will be explained by the senseis before mock grading. No need
to panic during mock grading, if you do anything wrong, just take it as a
learning point!
-Jiejing
Webmaster 2014
