Promotion Guidelines

[jsasan]

We are in the process of revamping our promotion records and are curious how some of our larger Kajukenbo families keep the records and students in line.  Besides  knowing and passing the requirements for the next rank do you have any additional requirments for promotion such as:  minimum classes/days between belts, teaching in class, conducting an inhouse seminar, entering an outside tournament.  In addition how do you keep your records and information in order.  Do you have a written book form or do you have it on computer file.  I would apprecitate any suggestions and comments very much.
Aloha

[supertim2003]

Hey Jason, as a student/instructor I don't know much about the record keeping involved, but I do have a fair grip on requirements that we use for promotion.  Perfect attendance in our school is at least 2 classes a week, but most serious student train considerably more than that.  The only teaching requirement we have that I know of is we must teach 100 classes prior to testing for 1st degree.  We also have a required reading list it has about 10 or 12 books on it and reports are expected on at least 2 of the books, these are expected to be done by brown belt.  We also have a notebook checkup that is done a couple times a year, and of course a written test goes along with each physical test.  We also write to thesis papers one at Brown belt on responsibility of rank (usually around 500 words), another at 1st degree on any martial art related subject (usually between 1000 - 1500 words).  Hope this helps

[Jason Goldsmith]

In WHKD, we have a series of requirements in addition ot the physical techniques.  3 months are required between all belts white through blue, 6 months each for green and brown, and an absolutely required 6 month minimum period between brown and black (time exceptions for the lower belts are allowed for students with advanced experience who are double-testing).  Additionally, a written test including history and the WHKD 25 Technical Fighting Principles are part of all belt tests white-blue (70% required to pass), and an oral exam is part of all belts.  Finally, essays (1000+ word) are required for all belts blue and up.  Each dan of black (including student black/1st dan) has a thesis (2500+ word) requirement.

[supertim2003]

Jason, we actually are expected to keep a training notebook which would include our curriculum, forms, self defense and the like.  We also keep a historical notebook where I keep a class log for each class, seminar notes and that kind of thing.  Otherwise our obligations for promotion are very similar to what Sifu Jason had mentioned except we have a 1 year wait between brown/black and Student Black and then at least one year between Student Black and 1st deg. and a minimum 3 yrs between degrees.

[KajuJKDFighter]

At my school I have it listed as training 150 times before being considered for the next belt promotion and 300 between brown and black.  Those numbers can go up or down depending on the level of skill and dedication.  Each level of course has certain requirements.  I realize there is a huge difference between different students skills, so I test appropriately.  Heart is Much more important to me then anything else.....Who would have my back.....

[Jason Goldsmith]

Tum Pai actually has a very similar system to WHKD in regards to rank (not surprising, given they have the same founder...).  We also have a notebook/binder with the requirements, historical information and fighting principles that is used for note taking and for checking off the students requirements before they test.  Additionally, we also have time requirements between dans.  At a minimum, 1 year must pass between student black and 1st dan, and only after the student has shown a continued contribution to the style will they earn their 1st dan.  3 years (minimum) are required between 1st and 2nd Dan, 4 more years between 2nd and 3rd, 5 more years between 3rd and 4th, and so on.  This has resulted in very few black belts above 1st in the style, and only 30 or so of 3rd dan or higher.