Insights on Video & In-Person Testing

IKCA SGM Chuck Sullivan

A test of the IKCA material, for Yellow Belt to 1st Degree Black Belt, is based upon the Evaluating Instructor’s observation and overall assessment of the performance.

What the Evaluating Instructor is looking for is:

–Does the student truly understand the material, and is he or she demonstrating that understanding?

–Is the student performing the material with the proper degree of physical force to affect what the moves are intended to produce?

The following applies to all the single move Basics as well as the techniques performed with or without a partner, and any portions of the Master Form performed.

What the student should be aware of in testing:

— Paying attention to Omitted moves, such as a Block, Strike, Maneuver, Leg or Hand Check.

— Little or no Stance Change (rotational force).

— A strike or kick that obviously misses the target, such as a ball kick that doesn’t rise above the knee or wipes the front of the uniform at navel level, or a hand weapon that stops several inches from the intended target.

— Over-extended movements that take themselves too far beyond the circle of protection.

All the above are what makes the difference between a very good, to a very poor Kenpoist.

One other tip for a smooth test is to visualize your opponent to be the same height and body type as yourself. That is really the only way your testing Instructor is able to assess the validity of your moves, in relation to the invisible targets you will be striking when doing moves on an imaginary opponent.

Pass or Fail

There is no pass or fail based upon a number, or percentage. If that were the case, a student might be able to pass certain portions of the test brilliantly, such as the Master Form and fail other portions miserably, such as doing Techniques on the body or Freestyle, and still have averaged over the required percentages to pass. That method of testing would still leave the student lacking in elements that they need to become well-rounded martial artists. On the other hand, they might fail certain portions of the test, like the Master Form, which might drop them under the passing percentage level but still be perfectly able to do what’s more important for sufficient self-defense purposes, such as doing techniques on the body and excel at freestyle fighting.

It’s up to the testing instructor to assess the overall performance and render a decision as to whether the student is allowed to go onto the next belt level, redo certain portions of the test, or needs to redo the entire test.

Be assured that even if the test is stellar, there will be some points of interest your testing instructor will be commenting on concerning your performance. It might be something like – “That was great, but if you’re interested in making it even greater, give this a try” – Something he picked up on, that only you might be capable of doing.

There will be no charge for this service: retaking of a failed test or retaking just a portion of the original test. However, if the student fails the re-test he or she will be required to pay for any further re-testing at that belt level.

Either way, the instructor’s assessment of the test is only the first part of their function. A failed test will require the student to re-take the test in its entirety; or just the portion of the test deemed unsatisfactory, at the discretion of the testing instructor. The same rules apply for video students, in-person and in-dojo students. In addition, in all cases the testing instructor can set up a time for when the retest takes place, as there is no longer a minimum waiting period of 30 days.

Blue Belt and Beyond Freestyle Fighting

For your Blue, Green, Brown, and 1st Degree Black Belt Test, you will be required to perform two, two-minute rounds of Freestyle Fighting.

What your testing instructor will be looking for here is your ability to, first of all, defend yourself. Blocking is essential to not getting hit and that’s the first rule of self-defense, “don’t get hit”. Some of your practice in freestyle fighting should be to set up a Drill that allows your opponent to attack you and for you to simply maneuver, block and parry his advances, to the point where you feel comfortable in your ability to having hard and fast blows thrown at you and not getting hit!

When you feel at ease with your ability to block, deflect, jam and maneuver out of harm’s way, it’s time to practice and perfect what you’ll find on those videos. Not every scenario is for everybody, but there’s something there for you, your body type, and your philosophy of fighting, some highly offensive in nature, and others quite defensive and counteroffensive in their approach.

Time Between Tests

In the past there was a specified minimum number of days between tests or re-tests. That has been amended to allow your Testing Instructor to specify the time he feels you personally will need in order to complete the task set forth for you. If you feel you can be ready to TEST or RE-TEST in a couple of weeks, fine. If he feels you need a month, or even longer, so be it.

However, if you feel you need even more time, feel free to take as much time as you feel comfortable taking. Your instructor sets only the minimum, the maximum is up to you.

Degrees in Black Belt

For those testing for the higher Degrees in Black Belt, specifically, Second Degree to Tenth Degree, only the Master Form need be performed.

What the sitting Senior Grand Master will be looking for is the practitioner’s continued involvement in IKCA Kenpo. If the Master Form is merely brushed up on, just for the sake of attaining another Degree, the Sitting SGM will be able to see that in a heartbeat and the test will be judged accordingly.

In the early years of their involvement, IKCA Black Belts continue to enjoy physical, intellectual and spiritual development in the Art. Then inevitably there seems to come a leveling off period, sometimes long and sometimes not so long.

As the years progress so does the natural degeneration of many things pertinent to Kenpo, mostly physical. Mental veracity seems to stay as sharp, or sharper than ever, but performing some physical requirements do diminish over time. Which doesn’t weaken the value of these stalwart martial artists, it simply makes their steadfastness more determined, which makes them even more valuable to the organization and those coming up through the ranks.

The IKCA Master Form is unique in that it reflects explicitly the conceptual as well as the concrete portions of the Art. Having an insightful knowledge of the Master Form and all its ramifications and confirmations is what’s important as a Teacher and keeper of the Flame.

If the physical portion can no longer be performed up to the standards of those a generation younger, so be it. Just as long as the sitting SGM is satisfied that the mental acerbity is still strong, so the performance will be judged.

The value of the Senior IKCA Black Belts lies not in their physical attributes but in the dedicated service rendered, their ability to lead, and their desire to keep the Flame burning brightly.

Return to IKCA DLP