Rank in a traditional Martial Arts dojo is little understood in the West. In the East legend has it that as a practitioner spent more and more time practicing in the dojo the belt or sash they wore would gradually age, darken and discolor. Thus the darker the sash the more senior and experienced the wearer. Gradually it is said that this concept evolved into what are now the various colored belt and sashes you see.

Why we have rank and testing today.

The original reason for rank was to set and establish the culture of the dojo. Newer students could look at the next level up for guidance and follow their example of effort, courtesy and technique. In traditional Martial Arts the rank is significant. The wearer is marked as a leader for all students of a lower rank. Thus if a lower ranking student follows the etiquette and technique of a higher rank the correct technique and culture of the dojo is passed on accurately.

There is also a second reason for rank and testing. One day while talking to Sifu Brown (Sempai and my own Kung-fu teacher) I asked him: "Why do we have to go through the process of testing for rank? Can't we just go to classes and practice together?"

Sifu looked directly into my eyes and said: "Sensei, let me ask you a question; how to you perform kote gaeshi on your left side?"

I was taken back just a bit and then said. "Well sir, I can do it, but it's certainly not as good as my right."

Sifu responded: "Well Sensei remember this one thing forever; when you take your next test you will be required to do the move equally well on both sides!" You see Sensei, the truth is if you never had a real test you would never take the time to become a complete and real Master of the art."

Our standards for rank follow this Eastern tradition of high standards. Our rank is never used to sell a program, or entice an unmotivated student to stay and pay, but instead is considered the foundation for the culture of our school. As a result our rank requirements are a throwback to the early days of Martial Arts, a time when if a student were to be promoted to Black Belt you could rest assured that this person was truly a phenomenal Martial Artist both mentally and physically. *See footnote*

A list of the order of rank color and required number of classes.

There are three divisions of students at our dojo. Below is a list of class hour requirements and standards for each group. The list is quite long so scroll down to see it in it's entirety. Keep in mind that the achieving of a certain number of classes while in itself is a great accomplishment, is no guarantee that a student will be asked to test. A student still must be training hard, displaying good attitude both on and off the mats and improving the technique we are seeing in class. Also being asked to test is no guarantee that a student will pass. Our tests are comprehensive and challenging and must be prepared for in advance in order for you to be promoted. See class and skills requirements by simply clicking the appropriate link below.

The style we teach is progressive and is constantly expanding, new technique are integrated in and sometimes new knowledge can make older technique obsolete. In exactly the same way our testing standards may change in subtle ways with the expansion of Martial Art knowledge.

While this list is fairly accurate as of this date, if you are a student at the Martial Art Center click this link to see the most updated list for your grade rank.

*Unfortunately here in the West many dojo's have forsaken the original purpose of rank. In the West rank has been used primarily as a tool in order to get unmotivated students to stay in dojo's longer or sign up for longer term programs. During the late 1970's and 80's school owners began to notice that if you made rank easier to achieve often students who were getting ready to quit practice would stay on a little longer in order to get a watered down version of a rank. Prior to the late 1980's practically anyone who achieved the rank of Black Belt was an amazingly solid Martial Artist. The standards were high and the results spoke for themselves. But today, Black Belt has become regrettably in some places nearly meaningless. Virtually everyone who enrolls in some schools are expected to receive Black Belt after they have paid a certain amount of money. We believe making rank easy and using it as a business building tool is unfortunate and greatly hurts the culture of a dojo, and diminishes the value of Martial Arts as a whole.

Adult Ranking Requirements

All our tests are formal and the wearing of a formal frog button white jacket is mandatory. In addition to the physical requirements all ranks tests will include verbal questioning over the specific details of technique, as well as Martial Art etiquette and tradition.

White (25 classes minimum)

Sparring stance, side step front foot high block front hand, jab, cross, hook punch, uppercut, front kick, knee strike rising delivery

2nd White (50 classes minimum)

All the above plus:side step front foot high block back hand, side step back foot high block front hand, palm strike, low palm strike, nukite strike, roundhouse kick

Yellow (75 classes minimum)

All the above plus: side step front foot low block front hand, side step front foot low block back arm, side step back foot low block front arm, hammer fist downward delivery, hammer fist reverse delivery, haku geri, side kick

2nd Yellow (100 classes minimum)

All the above plus: elbow strike downward delivery, elbow strike roundhouse delivery, elbow strike rising delivery, elbow strike reverse delivery, knife hand downward delivery, knife hand reverse delivery, hook kick

Blue (150 classes minimum)

All the above plus: seated meditation for 30 min. no movement, chudan block, jodan block, heito, backfist, snake strike, crane strike, knee kick roundhouse delivery, inside crescent kick, outside crescent kick, axe kick, fumokomi geri, back kick

2nd Blue (200 classes minimum)

All the above plus: seated meditation for 45 min. no movement, A) 3 combinations you will have created and trained on in advance. Each combination will consist of one defensive technique and three offensive techniques demonstrated on both sides. B) Sensei's Combinations: Be able to demonstrate up to any four techniques in any order. C) Kote Gaeshi from the following attacks: lapel grab, cross hand wrist grab, same side wrist grab, two hand wrist grab from the front, two hand wrist grab from behind. D) Side Stepping Drill with partner E) Kata Kumite F) Juijitsu Techniques: falling - front, back, side, front and back roll outs, closed guard, open guard, butterfly guard, full mount, side mount, north-south, knee in stomach, escape from wrist grabs both one and two handed grabs 06 and 07, technical lift stand up 61, upa 03, shrimp 49, scissors sweep 18, push sweep against wide base 26 G) Paper - topic to be announced

Brown (300 classes minimum)

All the above plus: seated meditation for 60 min. no movement, A) 5 combinations you will have created and trained on in advance. Each combination will consist of one defensive technique and three offensive techniques demonstrated on both sides. B) Sensei's Combinations: Be able to demonstrate up to any five techniques in any order. C) Kote Gaeshi, Ikkyo and Sankyo, from the following attacks: lapel grab, cross hand wrist grab, same side wrist grab, two hand wrist grab from the front, two hand wrist grab from behind -(kote gaeshi and sankyo only) D) Juijitsu Techniques: collar choke useing their shirt 11, single arm bar from guard 51, double arm bar from guard, defense against shoulder grab 40, kumura from guard 36, guillotine from guard 37, elbow escape from side mount 30, stack to pass 17, finger lock against choke 74, defense against bent over headlock E) Paper - topic to be announced 2nd Brown (400 classes minimum) All the above plus: seated meditation for 90 min. no movement, A) 5 combinations you will have created and trained on in advance. Each combination will consist of one defensive technique and four offensive techniques demonstrated on both sides. B) Sensei's Combinations: Be able to demonstrate up to any six techniques in any order. C) Shiho nage from cross hand wrist grab, same side wrist grab, defense against giant haymaker D) Juijitsu Techniques: defense against rear bearhug 13, americana 19, arm bar from mount 20, defense against guillotine 21, double ankle grab sweep 23, elevator seep 27, frame headlock and bear hug escape 28, defense against one arm rear standing choke, defense against front bear hug over arms 33, rear naked choke E) Free Sparring F) Paper - topic to be announced

Red (600 classes minimum)

All the above plus: seated meditation for 2 Hrs. no movement A) 5 combinations you will have created and trained on in advance. Each combination will consist of one defensive technique and four offensive techniques demonstrated on both sides. B) Sensei's Combinations: Be able to demonstrate up to any six techniques in any order. C) Kote Gaeshi, Ikkyo, Sankyo, Shiho nage, dragon wing, giant haymaker defense, all against various flowing attacks D) Juijitsu Techniques: triangle choke 48, hook arm inside seep 65, arm inside armbar 66, standing sweep, omoplata 64, achilles ankle lock 58, defense against rear two handed neck grab 76, various guard passes to side mount, side mount to full mount E) Free Grappling F) Paper - topic to be announced 2nd Red (800 classes minimum) All the above plus: seated meditation for 2 Hrs. 30 Min. no movement A) 5 combinations you will have created and trained on in advance. Each combination will consist of one defensive technique and four offensive techniques demonstrated on both sides. B) Sensei's Combinations: Be able to demonstrate up to any six techniques in any order. C) Kote Gaeshi, Ikkyo, Sankyo, Shiho nage, dragon wing, giant haymaker defense, all against various flowing attacks D) Juijitsu Techniques: Knee bar from guard 77, stacking guard into ankle lock 75, cobra, crucifix E) Sparring, two vs one F) Three knife defenses; at neck palm up and palm down, stabbing toward body from front and back, from behind headlock G) Paper - topic to be announced

Black (1000 classes minimum)

Seated meditation 3 Hrs. no movement A Comprehensive exam over all the above and everything else. Black represents the highest level of performance of mind body and spirit. It is said only one in a thousand will be chosen to be promoted to this level.

Teen Rank Requirements (Age 10-16)

All tests are formal and the wearing of a formal white gi jacket is mandatory. Students must know how to correctly tie their own belt. In addition to the physical requirements all ranks tests will also include verbal questioning over the specific details of technique, as well as Martial Art etiquette and tradition.

White (25 classes minimum)

jab, cross, hook punch, uppercut, front kick, knee strike rising delivery palm strike, nukite, roundhouse kick

Yellow (50 classes minimum)

All the above plus:side step front foot high block front hand, side step front foot high block back hand, side step back foot high block front hand,

Bright Orange (75 classes minimum)

All the above plus: hammer fist downward delivery, hammer fist reverse delivery, low palm strike, Haku Geri, Side kick

Dark Orange (100 classes minimum)

All the above plus: side step front foot low block front hand, side step front foot low block back arm, side step back foot low block front arm, elbow strike downward delivery, elbow strike roundhouse delivery, elbow strike rising delivery, elbow strike reverse delivery

Red (125 classes minimum)

All the above plus: knife hand downward delivery, knife hand reverse delivery, snake strike, crane strike, hook kick, back kick

Blue (150 classes minimum)

All the above plus: chudan block, jodan block, backfist, hieto (ridgehand), knee strike roundhouse delivery, inside crescent kick, outside crescent kick, axe kick, fumokomi geri

Blue belt testing will also require striking pads at full power to demonstrate correctness of technique and conditioning.

Green (200 classes minimum)

All the above plus: A) 2 combinations you will have created and trained on in advance. Each combination will consist of one defensive technique and three offensive techniques demonstrated on both sides. B) Sensei's Combinations: Be able to demonstrate up to any four techniques in any order. C) Kote Gaeshi from the following attacks: lapel grab, cross hand wrist grab, same side wrist grab, two hand wrist grab from the front, two hand wrist grab from behind D) Juijitsu Techniques: falling - front, back, side, front and back roll outs, closed guard, open guard, butterfly guard, full mount, side mount, north-south, knee in stomach, escape from wrist grabs both one and two handed grabs, technical lift stand up E) Kata Kumite F) Side Stepping Drill with partner

Purple (250 classes minimum)

All the above plus: A) 3 combinations you will have created and trained on in advance. Each combination will consist of one defensive technique and three offensive techniques demonstrated on both sides. B) Sensei's Combinations: Be able to demonstrate up to any five techniques in any order. C) Ikkyo from the following attacks: lapel grab, cross hand wrist grab, same side wrist grab, two hand wrist grab from the front D) Jiujitsu Techniques: Upa Pg.3, Shrimp Pg. 49, Scissors Sweep Pg. 18, Push sweep against wide post Pg. 26, single arm bar from guard Pg. 51, double arm bar from guard

Brown (300 classes minimum)

All the above plus: A) 5 combinations you will have created and trained on in advance. Each combination will consist of one defensive technique and three offensive techniques demonstrated on both sides. B) Sensei's Combinations: Be able to demonstrate up to any six techniques in any order. C) Sankyo from the following attacks: lapel grab, cross hand wrist grab, same side wrist grab, two hand wrist grab from the front, two handed wrist grab from behind D) Jiujitsu Techniques: stack Pg. 17, elbow escape from side mount Pg. 30, kimura from guard Pg.34, guillotine from guard Pg. 37, defense against shoulder grab Pg. 40

Ni Kyu - Black with White Stripe (400 classes minimum)

All the above plus: A) 5 combinations you will have created and trained on in advance. Each combination will consist of one defensive technique and four offensive techniques demonstrated on both sides. B) Sensei's Combinations: Be able to demonstrate up to any six techniques in any order. C) Kote Gaeshi, Ikkyo, and Sankyo from the following attacks: lapel grab, cross hand wrist grab, same side wrist grab, two hand wrist grab from the front, two handed wrist grab from behind-(Kote Gaeshi and Sankyo only) D) Jiujitsu Techniques: defense against bent over headlock, finger lock against choke Pg. 74, Americana Pg. 19, double ankle grab sweep Pg. 23, frame/ headlock or bear hug escape Pg. 28 E) Free Sparring

Ei Kyu - Black with Red Stripe (600 classes minimum)

All the above plus: A) 5 combinations you will have created and trained on in advance. Each combination will consist of one defensive technique and five offensive techniques demonstrated on both sides. B) Sensei's Combinations: Be able to demonstrate up to any seven techniques in any order. C) Juijitsu Techniques: defense against rear bear hug Pg. 13, defense against standing rear choke, rear naked choke Pg. 46, triangle choke Pg. 48, hook arm inside seep Pg. 65, standing sweep, escape from guard to side mount, side mount to full mount D) Free Grappling (rolling) E) Free Sparring (Kumite) F) Read "Zen in the Martial Arts" and written paper on your favorite chapter and why.

When a Teen reaches the age of sixteen they are eligible to also attend our adult class. Since the rank colors, expectations, and requirements are different and more difficult for an adult than a teen there is no direct correlation between a teen belt and an adult sash. When a teen is ready to make the jump to adults they will be given the opportunity to test in at a level that best matches their skills.

Dragon Rank Requirements (Age 6-10)

All tests are formal and the wearing of a formal frog button white jacket is mandatory. Students must know how to correctly tie their own belt. In addition to the physical requirements all ranks tests will also include some verbal questioning to be certain the student understands the specific details of their technique.

White (25 classes minimum)

Jab, Cross, Front Kick, Knee strike rising delivery

Yellow Stripe (50 classes minimum)

All the above plus: tie your own belt, Upper Cut, Hook Punch

Bright Orange Stripe (75 classes minimum)

All the above plus: Palm strike, Roundhouse kick, Hook kick

Dark Orange Stripe (100 classes minimum)

All the above plus: Hammerfist downard delivery, Hammerfist reverse delivery, Axe kick

Red Stripe (125 classes minimum)

All the above plus: Nukite, Knee strike roundhouse delivery, Fumokomi geri

Blue Stripe (150 classes minimum)

All the above plus: Chudan block, Jodan block, Head Hug block, Side Kick

Green Stripe (200 classes minimum) All the above plus: Side step front foot high block front hand, Low palm strike, Backfist

Purple Stripe (250 classes minimum)

All the above plus: Side step back foot high block front hand, Side step front foot high block back hand, Snake strike, Elbow strike roundhouse delivery, Elbow strike reverse delivery (front arm only)

Teal Stripe (300 classes minimum)

All the above plus: Side step front foot low block front hand, Side step back foot low block front hand, Elbow strike downward delivery, Elbow strike rising delivery, Crane strike, Rising delivery Haku geri

Tan (350 classes minimum) All the above plus: Side step front foot low block back hand, Knife hand downward deliver, Knife hand reverse delivery (front hand only), Heito, Inside crescent kick, Outside crescent kick, Back kick (back leg only)

When a Dragon reaches the age of ten they are eligible to also attend our teen class. Since the rank colors, expectations, and requirements are different and more difficult for a teen than a Dragon there is no direct correlation between a Dragon belt and a teen belt. When a Dragon is ready to make the jump to teens they will be allowed to test into a teen rank that best fits their then current skill level.