Black Belt Test. Preparation Handbook Wushu Central, Inc. 879 Coleman Ave. #40 San Jose, CA wushucentral.

Transcription

1 Black Belt Test Preparation Handbook 2019 Wushu Central, Inc. 879 Coleman Ave. #40 San Jose, CA wushucentral.com ! 1

2 Introduction Congratulations! You have completed the Wushu Central Black Belt Curriculum. Your final step to achieving your Black Belt is to successfully pass the fully comprehensive and challenging Black Belt Test. If you are already a Black Belt and are testing for your next degree, you are already familiar with the testing process. Understand that the expectations will be higher for you this time around, and you should prepare accordingly. This test is held twice a year, and takes several hours to complete. Realize that this test is your final exam and as such is very difficult. You will be expected to demonstrate outstanding techniques and forms, as well as being in top physical condition. This test will also challenge your knowledge of Wushu in general and your artistic creativity. Please realize that the grading on this test is very strict. It is entirely possible to fail the exam, in which case you will need to retry the test in 6 months. Serious Black Belt candidates should train at least 4 days per week for 4 to 10 months to adequately prepare for the Black Belt Test. This test is likely to be one of the hardest tests you have ever prepared for and attempted, but succeeding as incredibly rewarding. Once you earn your Black Belt, the doors open wide ahead of you to the next stage of your Wushu training. You will see that earning a Black Belt is not the end. It is only the beginning of a whole new world. With your skill, you will be ready to truly learn and master the many different styles, forms, and weapons of Wushu, including: Specializing in your favorite bladed weapon Choosing your favorite long weapon Learning Classical styles such as eagle claw, praying mantis, and drunken fist Mastering the use of more difficult weapon variations such as double swords Creating complete choreographed fights with both empty hands and weapons I look forward to seeing you at the other end of the test wearing your new Black Belt! Warm Regards, Sifu David Chang! 2

3 Black Belt Test Requirements You must successfully complete several critical requirements before you will be eligible to test for your Black Belt: 1. If you are testing for you first Black Belt, you must be a Conditional Black Belt for a minimum of 4 months with a membership in our Standard Program (2 classes per week) or higher. 2. If you are a Black Belt already of any degree, you must have been training for at least 12 complete months with a membership in our Standard Program or higher to earn your next degree. 3. You must be current on your membership tuition. 4. You must register for the test on the Wushu Central app, pay the testing fee, and submit your Photo, Biography, and Teacher Evaluation (if you are in grade K-12). These are due by March 1 if you plan to take the Summer Black Belt Test, or September 1 if you plan to take the Winter Black Belt Test. 5. You must attend and pass a Physical Conditioning Test held before your Black Belt Test. 6. You must attend and pass a Technique Test held before your Black Belt Test. 7. You must attend and pass a Forms Test held before your Black Belt Test. 8. You must attend and pass an Advanced Forms & Creative Form Test held before your Black Belt Test. 9. If you are testing for your first Black Belt, you must submit a Research Paper (due on the same day as the Advanced Forms Test) 10. Finally, once all prior items are successfully completed, you will take your Black Belt Test. At the actual Black Belt test, you will be held to international Wushu competition guidelines. The means that you will be required to wear a traditional competition/ performance silk uniform. These are available at various retailers, as well as directly through Wushu Central. Also, make sure that your weapons have all the necessary accessories, such as silk flags and tassels. Important: Part of earning your Black Belt is demonstrating responsibility. Each student is responsible for understanding the deadlines related to completing your Black Belt. Be sure to read your entire packet and mark your specific due dates. I suggest that both the student and the parent read the packet. If it s possible I would advise parents and students read this together as a team. If you have any scheduling conflicts please notify Sifu Chang immediately by sifu@wushucentral.com.! 3

4 Applying for the Black Belt Test Black Belt Test registrations are accepted on the Wushu Central app. Once you have signed up and paid the testing fee, keep in mind that Black Belt Testing Fees are nonrefundable. If you have signed up already and discover that you cannot make your exam date, or if you fail the test, you may test at another Black Belt Test for a $100 re-test fee. Before the due date, you must also submit your: 1. Student photo (by ) 2. Student biography (by ) 3. Teacher evaluation (by or paper) Photo Requirements Submit a clear and attractive photo of yourself which will appear in the Black Belt Program Guide. You may use a regular photo or a Wushu pose. Just be sure that your face is clearly visible and that the resolution is high enough. We recommend a minimum of 200 x 200 pixels. your photo to sifu@wushucentral.com by March 1 or Sept 1. Biography Requirements Submit a short (100 words maximum) biography about yourself for the Black Belt Program Guide. Please include your name, age, your favorite hobbies and activities, and anything else you might like to include: Your biography must be ed to sifu@wushucentral.com by March 1 or Sept 1. Example: Jillian Mitchell - I am 13 years old and live in Milpitas, California. I have been taking Wushu for over 3 years and can t wait to be a Black Belt. Some of my hobbies are...being with my friends, shopping, going to the mall, talking on the phone, shopping, lacrosse, shopping and having a good time. Oh, and shopping. I would like to wish all of my classmates good luck on their test and just have a blast! Teacher Evaluation Requirements For students in grades K - 12 only. You must receive a recommendation from a grade school teacher to take your Black Belt Test. Give the form on the next page to your teacher to fill out, and return by March 1 or Sept 1.! 4

5 Black Belt Candidate Evaluation Dear Teacher: As part of our training program at Wushu Central Martial Arts Academy, we do our best, as you do, to instill in our students the qualities that will help them throughout their lives. These qualities include: Respect, Honesty, Self-Discipline, Self-Control and Good Manners After several years of hard work and dedication, the below named student is scheduled to take his/her next Black Belt Exam. When our students first sign up with us, we insist that they strive to perform well in all aspects of their life, including schoolwork. In that regard, we would appreciate it if you could grade their performance in the following areas and sign below. Thank you in advance for your help in this matter. Should their schoolwork fall below your expectations, we will postpone their exam until a later date. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at We would also like to extend an invitation to you to attend the graduation as our guest. I hope we will see you there. Please notify me by (sifu@wushucentral.com) if you have any questions about this evaluation or if you wish to attend. Sincerely, Sifu David Chang Black Belt Candidate Student Evaluation This form is to be filled out by the student s schoolteacher STUDENT S FULL NAME: Yes, I highly recommend this student take his/her next Black Belt Exam Yes, I recommend this student take his/her next Black Belt Exam. He/she has improved in the following areas: No, I do not recommend this student take his/her next Black Belt Exam. Grades: Excellent Very Good Good Fair Poor N/A Please grade the student in the following categories: Concentration: Excellent Very Good Good Fair Poor N/A Manners: Excellent Very Good Good Fair Poor N/A TEACHER S NAME GRADE: _ TEACHER S SIGNATURE _ DATE:! 5

6 Physical Conditioning Test Our Black Belts are in the best physical condition. They have trained their bodies for peak performance, health, and longevity. To meet our standards for physical fitness, you will need to pass the following test. Every item is difficult, but they are as much a matter of physical strength as they are mental willpower. This test is either pass or fail, and you must meet every requirement to pass.* Jump Rope Push Ups Leg Lifts Horse Stance 1st Degree 3 min min 2nd Degree 3 min min 15 sec 3rd Degree 3 min min 30 sec 4th Degree 3 min min 45 sec 5th Degree 3 min min Each of these requirements must be completed without stopping to rest. Push Ups must be full-body and need to be completed within 2 minutes Leg Lifts must be completed within 5 minutes Horse Stance must be completed with a staff over the thighs that may not drop. A target pad will be placed underneath which the student may not touch. *If you have a physical ailment or disability which prevents you from performing one or more of these exercises, ask Sifu Chang for an alternative. You may be required to provide a doctors note. This requirement was designed to help our students become more physically fit and learn the importance of getting in shape. In life, one either plans for events or perseveres through them. If we train early, physical conditioning will not be an intimidating requirement. If we wait until the last 6 months to train for it, we might experience some frustration. If a student waits until just a few months before the test, they will not enjoy the process and probably have to take it again. In life, we either plan or suffer. Please plan on training and taking small steps to ensure a great experience and test. This test is designed to build confidence, determination and perseverance in the students and to help them develop an attitude of making a commitment and sticking with it, rather than quitting when the going gets tough. The best way to achieve this is to push to your individual level. We will take into account individual medical restrictions, but each person has limitations that Wushu Central s staff might not be aware of. Please understand that our purpose is to provide each student with an understanding of their own limitations (which are usually far beyond their own expectation), not to fail the student. It is your duty to inform us if you or your child is being pushed past their limits.! 6

7 Technique Test Your basics are the core of your martial arts skill. Each technique must be executed to perfection and with complete confidence. On your Technique Test, you will be required to perform 10 combinations of basic stances, kicks, jump kicks, and hand techniques. You will need to show that you are able to use the correct technique on command, and that you are able to do it exceedingly well. You can receive bonus points by performing the technique with a high level of difficulty or creativity. For example, if you are asked to perform a jump inside crescent kick, and you land the kick in a split, you will receive a higher score. If you are asked to perform a cartwheel, and you do an aerial cartwheel, you will receive a higher score. Your combination will be comprised of 3 individual techniques. You will be scored from 0 to 3 points based on the following criteria: 0 point - Missed the technique or did the incorrect technique 1 point - Did the technique but with error 2 points - Did the technique well and without error 3 points - Did the technique with exceptional skill, as part of a high difficulty combination, or with creativity You will also receive 1 point for Flow if your combination is performed smoothly, without pauses or stutters. The total number of points you can receive on this test is 100. In order to pass, you must receive a minimal score depending on the degree of Black Belt you are testing for. If you are earning your: 1st Degree - you must earn a score of 70 2nd Degree - you must earn a score of 72 3rd Degree - you must earn a score of 74 4th Degree - you must earn a score of 76 5th Degree - you must earn a score of 78 On the next page is a list of the basics which you may be asked to demonstrate. Use it as a checklist to adequately prepare for your test. If you have any questions or need clarification on any of these movements, be sure to ask well ahead-of-time. Technique List Fist Palm Hook Tiger Claw Dragon Claw Front Stretch Kick Side Stretch Kick Inside Crescent Kick Outside Crescent Kick Snap Kick! 7

8 Elbow Southern Fist Flail Southern Fist Uppercut Horse Stance Bow Stance Drop Stance Cross Stance Empty Stance Dragon Riding Stance Back Cross Stance High Empty Stance Sit Stance Swallow Balance Gaze the Moon Balance Searching the Ocean Balance Heel Kick Front Slap Kick Side Thrust Kick Back Sweep Front Sweep Roundhouse Kick Spinning Roundhouse Kick Body Turn Double Body Turn Jump Front Kick Flying Side Kick Jump Inside (Tornado) Kick Jump Outside (Lotus) Kick Giant Leap Cartwheel / Aerial Butterfly Kick / Twist! 8

9 Wushu Forms Test When a martial artist practices techniques in a predetermined sequence with focus, spirit, and flavor, she displays a masterpiece form. Forms are the combination of basic techniques in a manner which demonstrate both utility and aestheticism. Throughout your training, you have had the opportunity to learn and practice 10 different forms: Five Stance Form Continuous Fist Multiple Kicks Basic Long Fist Basic Southern Fist Basic Staff Basic Broad Sword Basic Straight Sword Basic Spear Advanced Long Fist During your test, you will be required to demonstrate every form on this list. Each form must be completed within 2 minutes, and we are expecting complete knowledge and memorization of each form. Forgetting a form is almost a guarantee that you won t pass the test. Leave yourself no chance of error practice to perfection! You will be given a score from 1-5 for each section of your form, based on the following scale: 1 - Failing. Does not know form. 2 - Poor. Has difficulty remembering form or makes errors 3 - Good. Demonstrates decent knowledge of form. Some minor errors may be present. 4 - Excellent. Performs form with no errors. 5 - Superior. Does the form exceptionally. Competition level skill. How high you must score depends on the degree of Black Belt you are testing for. If you are earning your: 1st Degree - you must earn an average score of 3.0 2nd Degree - you must earn an average score of rd Degree - you must earn an average score of th Degree - you must earn an average score of th Degree - you must earn an average score of 4.0 *Important: Receiving a score of 1 for any part of the the Wushu Forms test is an automatic fail on the Black Belt Test.! 9

10 Creative Forms Test Art by its very nature is creative. An artist can use his medium, his tools, techniques, and knowledge, and produce a wonder for others to behold and enjoy. This is perhaps the most challenging portion of your Black Belt Test, but it is by far the one which is most anticipated and appreciated. You now have the opportunity to take all the knowledge you have accumulated in the past few years and combine them with your own artistic creativity to choreograph and perform your very own form. This form must fit certain requirements which are outlined below. Your instructor will assist you in making sure that your form is acceptable, and will help you in your choreography. We highly suggest taking time to watch other Wushu forms to gain ideas and discover combinations which you would like to incorporate into your own form. Spend some time checkout out wushu videos on youtube. Form Requirements: Form must be at least 1 minute 20 seconds in duration Form must consist of 4 sections (cross the center line 4 times) and the performer must enter all 4 quadrants of the performance ring Performer must start and end on the right-hand half of the ring Form must include fist, palm, and hook hand positions Form must include at least 3 different fist techniques Form must include at least 3 different palm techniques Form must include at least 2 different elbow techniques, one of which must be an elbow thrust. Form must minimally include each of the following stances: horse, bow, drop, cross, empty. Form must include at least 3 different kicks in which the leg stays extended Form must include at least 3 different kicks in which the leg chambers Form must include at least one sweeping kick Form must include at least 1 standing balance and 1 horizontal balance, each held for 2 full seconds Form must include at least 3 jump kicks! 10

11 Nandu: Your creative form will be graded on 2 levels: The quality of your techniques and the difficulty of your techniques. In the sport of Wushu, difficulty movements are called Nandu. On the Black Belt Test, you are awarded points for Nandu. While it is not necessary, doing any of these will dramatically increase your chances of passing this test. They are also very impressive to see! The possible Nandu movements are: Nandu (Difficulties) Splits Cross stance from jump Sit stance from jump Back Fall from ground Side Fall from ground Side Fall from jump Back Fall from jump 540 Front Sweep 720 Front Sweep 900 Front Sweep 3 pts. Aerial Aerial Twist Butterfly Twist Butterfly Twist pts. 3 pts. Back Aerial Gainer Kip Up Black Dragon Back Roll to Hand Stand Jump Inside 2-leg landing Jump Inside leg Jump Inside leg Jump Outside 2-leg Jump Outside leg Jump Outside leg Double balance 3 pts. 3 pts. Balances requiring foot higher than Front Hand Spring head level: Front Walk Over Side thrust kick balance Back Hand Spring Back balance Back Walk Over Side stretch kick balance Front Flip Back stretch kick balance Back Flip Front stretch kick balance Front Aerial Squat balance leg forward Squat balance leg behind 3 pts You will only receive Nandu points for the first successful execution of each particular skill. You may combine and chain difficulties. For example, a butterfly twist landing in a split, and followed by a black dragon will net 5 points. Butterfly twist (2 points) + Splits from jump (2 points) + Black Dragon (1 point) = 5 points On the following page is a form which you must submit at the time of your test if you are utilizing any Nandu movements. Without this form completed, you will not be eligible to receive any Nandu points.! 11

12 Nandu Form Student Name: Testing for Rank: Section 1 Nandu Movement/Combination Value Awarded Section 2 Nandu Movement/Combination Value Awarded Section 3 Nandu Movement/Combination Value Awarded Section 4 Nandu Movement/Combination Value Awarded TOTAL AWARDED POINTS: _ Point Maximum: (You may attempt as many points as you want) 1 st Deg = 5 2 nd Deg = 10 3 rd Deg = 15 4 th Deg = 20 5 th Deg = 25! 12

13 Research Paper Chinese martial arts highly esteem the ideal of a Warrior Scholar One who is as mighty with a pen as with a sword. A person with great martial ability but lacking in cultivation, morals, and intelligence is but a barbarian. However, a Warrior Scholar is not only a strong martial artist, but also a seeker of knowledge and a champion of justice. For your first Black Belt exam, you are required to write a research paper on any one of the following topics. Your essay will be published in the Black Belt Program Guide. Your paper has a minimum word length as follows: Students age 9 and below: 200 words minimum Students age 10-12: 400 words minimum Students age 13-15: 600 words minimum Students age 16-17: 800 words minimum Students age 18 and above: 1000 words minimum Possible Topics: History Describe the development of Wushu as a martial art. Media - How is martial arts portrayed in the media? Is it accurate or inaccurate? Is it a positive or negative influence? Contrast Compare and contrast Wushu with 3 other major martial art styles. Choice When is it acceptable to use martial arts outside of the the school? Ethics Explain what is meant by appropriate level of force when referring to self defense. How is this important from both an ethical perspective and a legal perspective? Health Describe the physical and psychological benefits of martial arts training. Include statistics and/or cite studies. Sport - What is competition Wushu? How is this different from learning Wushu recreationally? Style - Choose a Wushu style or weapon and describe its history and features. Biography Write a short biography about your favorite martial artist. Other Ask Sifu Chang for approval if you have another topic you wish to explore. Your paper is due by 11:59 pm the date of your Advanced and Creative Forms test. your paper to sifu@wushucentral.com.! 13

14 Training Planner Failing to plan is planning to fail. In order the meet the challenge of your Black Belt Test, it is essential to plan ahead and create a timetable to lead your training. Sifu Chang will assist you in developing your plan of attack. First, write down your critical testing dates below: Physical Conditioning Test Technique Test Wushu Forms Test Creative Forms Test & Research Paper BLACK BELT TEST Date: _ Date: _ Date: _ Date: _ Date: _ Next, fill in the calendars on the following pages with your testing dates and your training goals/schedules. Follow and refer to these calendars on a daily basis to remind yourself of what needs to be accomplished and on what areas you should focus your training.! 14

15 JANUARY FEBRUARY! 15

16 MARCH APRIL! 16

17 MAY JUNE! 17

18 JULY AUGUST! 18

19 SEPTEMBER OCTOBER! 19

20 NOVEMBER DECEMBER! 20

21 Final Words Dear Student, I take incredible personal pride in the Black Belts that Wushu Central produces. Our Black Belts represent a superior and unmatched level of training and development. A Wushu Central Black Belt is an individual who not only shows outstanding martial arts skill, but also carries into his daily life a winning attitude and a positive outlook. He is always courteous and respectful, humble and peace-loving, cultured and knowledgeable, helpful and compassionate, honest and just, courageous and persistent. He never settles for good enough and always strives for better in all aspects of life. From the very first day that I opened the doors to Wushu Central to new students, I knew that I would never allow our school to fall into the trap that many large schools do, which is to hand out black belts like candy on Halloween. Don t get me wrong: I want every single student in our school to earn a Black Belt. However, it must be challenging enough and represent a high enough level of skill that it has true meaning and value. Your Black Belt Test may be one of the hardest examinations you take in your life. I truly hope it is. It will also be one of your most rewarding experiences, and an event which I know you will talk about for many years. The Black Belt Test is not a judgment day. It is a day for you to shine and show you instructors, your fellow students, your friends, your family, but most of all your SELF what you have accomplished and who you are now. My blessings and wishes are with you as you prepare for this day and at your Black Belt Test. Train with all your heart, and SHINE! Kindest Regards, Sifu David Chang! 21