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Rank Examination Guide Revised December 4, 2017 INTRODUCTION The following testing requirements were developed by the Shuhari Institute’s Technical Fellowship with the goal of maintaining high standards that can be applied objectively to all students seeking rank certification through the Institute. To obtain certification for each rank, students must fulfill the training requirements and perform their exam in the presence of the required number of qualified examiners. When to Test As a general guideline, students are eligible to test for Kyu rank every 3 months. Depending on the frequency and intensity of training, students may need more time to reach their next level. Students planning to test for Kyu rank should discuss it with their Sensei 3-4 weeks prior to the test. Dan (black belt) test preparation should involve a more detailed discussion and development of a training plan with their Sensei months in advance of the test. Youth Stripe Testing Senseis may choose to administer stripe ranking for youth students between kyu tests to create added incentive and easily identifiable steps in progression. Stripe testing is typically administered monthly. Full vs. Semi Kyu Ranks Some examiners may choose to implement “Full/Semi” or “A/B” Kyu system where students meeting at least 85% of rank requirements receive a “Semi” or “B” rank and those meeting 90% or more receive a “Full” or “A” rank. Free Sparring Alternatives Examinees aged 50 or older or with physical limitations may choose to not perform Jiyu Kumite and may perform alternative requirements to the exam. (i.e. additional Self Defense, One-Step Kumite, etc.) Any alternative requirements should be discussed and agreed upon between the Examiner and Examinee in advance. Testing Students from Other Styles or Organizations Students previously ranked from other styles or organizations are welcome to test for rank under Shuhari requirements. In such cases, Examiners will award a rank using the same objective standards as they do for all other students. Written Exam The written portion of the exam is administered prior to the physical test - either online or in printed format. Questions are taken from typical in-class discussion and from written course material. Ask your Sensei in advance for this study material. Exam Results Each student’s Sensei determines when test results are announced. Some announce immediately, while others may wait until the next scheduled class or longer. Examiners should be clear with their students when they will announce. Rank Certificates Official Kyu & Dan certificates are mailed to each student’s Sensei following the exam. Each certificate is custom printed on artisanal paper with Japanese kanji and hand-stamped hanko and wariin seals. Expect 2-3 weeks for the certificates to arrive. The Institute does not issue rank certificates for Youth Stripe Ranks. 1 TESTING TIPS Know Your Test. You should study the expectations of your examination and regularly practice the test requirements. You should memorize your kata bunkai, your self defense, your kumite sequence, and every kihon combination. You should know your kihon combinations, kata bunkai, self defense, and kumite sequences by memory and without referencing the written requirements. Stay Warmed Up. Waiting for others to test can result in your muscles cooling and becoming more stiff. Stay active and move around prior to your test so that you can perform at your highest energy level and avoid injury. Show Good Spirit. Let your enthusiasm show. Respond positively and quickly to the examiners commands and critiques. Perform the techniques with full speed and kiai strongly. Don’t Rush. Perform each technique as strongly as possible, but don't blend them together. Every move should be a complete move in itself. The test is not a race to see which person can complete a set of combinations fastest. Maintain Your Concentration. Look forward and don't worry about the other people taking the exam. You don’t have to "keep pace" with them. Move at your own tempo. Don’t Give Up. If you make a mistake, don't give up. Do your best to correct what you are doing and continue on. You will not fail the test just because of a momentary lapse in concentration. Be Adaptable. The guidelines and techniques required for each exam will change over time and may vary, depending on the Examiner. Don’t get hung up if one of the combinations or techniques is different from what you’ve been practicing. Record It. Don’t hesitate to ask a friend to record your test with a camera or phone. Studying video of your performance is an excellent way to understand what you need to work on. It’s best if they use your device so that you have it for future reference.. Respect the Examiner’s Decision. The examiners have many years of experience and they are your senseis. If you are confused or disagree with their decision, continue to strive to improve yourself rather than allow negative feeling affect your training. 2 DEMONSTRATING BUNKAI General Guidelines • Know whether your test allows you, the Examinee, to choose the bunkai sequence, or whether the Examiner with choose it for you. • Show at least 2, but preferable more, applications to any sequence. • Practice your demonstration and show that you can demonstrate it effectively. • You may choose your own Uke (demonstrating partner). • Your Uke should know the attacks you want OR, if it is a partner that you’ve not practiced with, be practiced at directing them on their specific attacks. • Attacks from your Uke must be street techniques like hook punches and grabs - not karate techniques like front kicks and straight punches. • Defenses should self-defense techniques to vital targets - don’t limit your counters to the safety-permitted targets from kumite competition. • NEVER use excessive force or hurt your Uke. • Bunkai defenses should be realistic - not just "conventional wisdom” applications. • Changing stance direction or hand positions is acceptable, and sometimes necessary, if it doesn’t fundamentally change the application. • Examiners will probably want you to demonstrate it multiple times - possibly with 3/4 or full speed if it can be performed safely. • You may refer to the techniques and stances by their Japanese names. • Reference your kata sequence(s) by a name(s) to show you know the subject, rather than just describing all the moves in succession. Example: “I refer to this sequence as the “Enpi Loop” • Your bunkai demonstration should not exceed 5 minutes. Steps in the Demonstration 1. Announce the sequence you will be demonstrating or wait for the Examiner to tell you which one they have chosen for you to demonstrate. 2. Perform the sequence full speed without an Uke and without talking. 3. Reference the relevant move #s in the kata and how many times it repeats in the kata. Example: “The Enpi Loop consists of 6 techniques in the kata - it starts on moves 5-10 and is found 3 times total in the kata. (now demonstrate the moves solo, while describing them). It starts with a Downward Block, then a rising punch, there's a grab or press with the hand, then a knee strike forward, into a pull or block while punching low, then stepping low and downward blocking behind you” 4. Demonstrate your first application with your Uke and answer any questions. 5. Demonstrate any additional applications or alternatives with your Uke and answer any questions. 6. Explain which defense you like best based on your particular body size and skills. 7. Answer any remaining questions. Final Note: Examiners may have VERY different concepts of what the applications should be - they may even know LESS than you on this subject. Regardless, always show respect - just bow and say “Osu” - never argue with the Examiners. Also, it is better to say “I don’t know” rather than try to explain something you don’t know. Follow these basic guidelines as best you can and you should feel confident performing the bunkai portion of your examination. 3 STRIPE #1 (youth 5-12) Summary of Expectations Show an introductory memorization of kata Heian Shodan, make the shapes of the basic punches, blocks, and kicks, and show the ability to interact with a partner on the most basic level. Kata 1. Perform the first Five Movements of Heian Shodan (5 & 6 year olds may copy the moves with Examiner) Kihon 1. in place Show the 3 Basic Stances 2. step forward Step-In Punch (stomach height) 3. step back Rising Block 4. step forward Outside Block 5. step back Knife Hand Block 6. step forward Front Kick (stomach height) 7. step forward Round Kick (stomach height) Kumite Sanbon Kumite (3-step sequence with a partner): • Attacker start from Downward Block (left leg forward) • Defender start from Standing Position (Shizentai) 1. Attacker: Step-In Punch (head) 3x forward Defender: Rising Block (backwards) / Reverse Punch after last block - Change roles & repeat other direction - 2. Repeat above sequence but with attacker punching stomach / defender blocking with outside block. Verbal Test Administered verbally by the Examiner 1. What’s the name of the art we practice? Karate 2. What do we call this training hall? Dojo 3. What do you call your teacher? Sensei 4. What’s the best way to learn in class? Don’t talk, listen 5. Why do we bow? To Show Respect Parents are encouraged to help students practice the first kata "Heian Shodan" at home until they can remember all its movements from beginning to end without assistance. Videos of it are easily found online. 4 STRIPES #2 & #3 (youth 5-12) Summary of Expectations Show further memorization of kata Heian Shodan, make accurate shapes of the basic punches, blocks, and kicks, and show improved ability to interact with a partner on the most basic level.

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