23. Grading Procedure

Master's Message children's class discussion topic of the week.

Belt Testing, also known as a Grading, is held every three months for those who have averaged two classes per week, passed their monthly progress checks, and who have demonstrated the appropriate 'black belt attitude', virtues, and values in the dojo, home, school, and in life. If you have not met the requirements, you are not eligible for grading or belt promotion.

Grading Procedure

Have your grading form handed in at least 1 week before the grading so we have enough time to organise the grading groups and examiners.

Pack everything you need for your grading the night before, such as uniform, sparring gear, training weapons, and drink bottle.

The nights before, visualise yourself doing your grading perfectly, so that you have already done it many times before the grading day. Your sub-conscious mind does not know the difference.

Stay calm and focused on your grading day. Eat healthily. Do not let negative situations such as bad news, a flat tyre, a traffic jam, or an argument, disturb your inner peace. If you get thrown off center by anything negative, treat it as an attack and use your mental and emotional martial arts techniques to stabilise your emotions. Realise that the attack was to throw you off centre, so defeat it by regaining your centre, peace, and calm, through positive self-talk, affirmations, deep breathing, grounding, and/or visualisation, as you learned at training.

Leave home early to negate traffic issues and to arrive early. Grading day is always busy and so is the carpark. Arrive early so you have time to find a parking bay. There is also parking behind the building. By arriving early, you have created an opportunity for yourself to relax for a few minutes and calm your mind before your grading begins, rather than arriving late, unnecessarily adding extra stress.

Place your sparring gear, drink bottle, and training weapons at the edge of the mat just before your grading.

When your name is called out, loudly and confidently answer, "yes sir', or 'yes ma'am", bow-in, and then run to your examiner, standing at attention with strong posture, shoulders back, chin up, focused, and ready, just like we practiced in class. If your name is not called out, quickly and calmly go to the front desk so we can locate your grading form.

Students are graded on technique, effort, attitude, and respect.

We will still be running a regular class in the other room if you are not grading this time round.

If you miss the grading due to illness or injury, see reception about attending a catch-up grading.

(Instructors will run a practice grading form up today).

All the best on your grading day!

Cobra Martial Arts & Fitness Centres - Personal Development Program - 1991.