T.K.A. Simsa Requirements Guide TKA Testing Guide for Kub Simsa Introduction For many students testing is a source of great anxiety. There are a number of factors related to this including performing in front of people, being judged, and so on. One aspect that can significantly contribute the stress is if the testing process is inconsistent as it makes it difficult for the student to prepare. There can also be anxiety on the part of the tester, particularly if they lack clarity about the requirements or the testing process in general. This purpose of this guide is to help define the requirements so that there is no confusion about techniques listed in the exams or about the procedural aspects of the testing process. It also describes the variations that are defined for different age groups or other special category students. The Pretest The pretest is a very important confirmation step prior to taking a test. It allows the students to get valuable feedback regarding their readiness for the exam. This can help them be more confident for the test, or prevent the student from having an embarrassing test if there are gaps in the student’s preparation for the test. Often there is more time in a pretest than in the actual exam to go over in fine detail all of the material. This can often include making sure that previous techniques have not been forgotten. The key is to make sure that if someone is not ready for testing, they will not be approved to test. It is important to make a decision based on the student’s current demonstration of their techniques. There should not be a consideration of how they might improve between the time of the pretest and the exam. Additionally, as a general guideline, if someone has never seen a required technique prior to the pretest they are not ready to pass pretest. Exam Protocol The exam is one of the most formal moments in the martial arts school. It is a time to demonstrate the ideals of proper discipline and martial arts etiquette, (this applies to both students and examiners). Aside from issues directly related to the exam, there should be no talking. Students waiting on the sides should sit quietly in either cross-legged or formal position. Spectators should also be encouraged to follow the proper exam-time etiquette. Keep in mind that the examiner is the role model for the rest of the participants. Time management Depending on the circumstances, testing events provide different amounts of time that can be spent on each student in the testing process. In the afternoon test, because people are often taking time off from work, it is imperative that the test be conducted in an efficient manner. Also in evening exams, there are often large numbers of students present. This means that it is important to keep the exam focused on the specific requirements detailed in the particular exam. T.K.A. Simsa Requirements Guide Grading There are three grades: A – Outstanding performance, B – Acceptable performance, C – Failing performance. A student must have B or better in all elements of the test to pass the exam. In some circumstances a single C such as a failure to make a break will result in a conditional pass. This means that the student will need to satisfy the failed requirement prior to advancing. Conditional pass is usually left to the discretion of the school leader. Grading should be based on the required exam techniques. Breaking Techniques Actual breaking is done at test time, however evaluation of the breaking technique during pretests should be done using pads and kick bags. Adult men will break two 10” boards. Adult women and men 35 years or older will break one 10” board. Children break one board with the width determined by their weight. Children less than seventy pounds or less break a 6” board. Children under eighty pounds use a 7” board, under ninety a 8” board, under one hundred a 9” board. All children over one hundred pounds will break a single 10” board. Aikido Traditional Aikido techniques are only required for adults. Techniques should be demonstrated for both sides. Both Children and Adults will demonstrate Ki training techniques. Children will demonstrate “Ninja Rolls” with the following progressive requirements: 9th Kub – Hana, Tul, Set, Net in right side only remaining in the landing position. 8th Kub – Hana, Tul, Set, Net on left side. 7th Kub – Right side roll, with standing up at the end of the roll. 6th Kub – Left side roll, with standing up at the end of the roll. 5th Kub – Hana, Tul, Set, Net, Tasot, Yasot, Ilgope, Yodal. 4th Kub – Dive roll over one crouching person. 3rd Kub – Dive roll over two crouching people. 2nd Kub – Dive roll over three crouching people. 1st Kub – Dive roll over four crouching people. Since the Aikido techniques are clearly described in the TKA manual, comments here reflect small clarifications related to stance. Ki Training Ki Training techniques are derived from the art of Judo, in particular the demonstration format is derived from Judo katas. The format is formal and should be executed with grace and control. T.K.A. Simsa Requirements Guide The basic format is that the two students perform a kneeling bow, with their heads approximately six feet apart. Tori should assume one knee raised (R) kneeling stance. At the same time, the uke lays down on the mat with the left knee raised, and head pointing toward tori. The tori should then quietly and gracefully walk over to the uke. The position is dependant on the technique. However, they should kneel about 3 feet from uke, and then move closer with a single sliding movement into position. Each technique will have different requirements regarding the placement of the uke’s arms. The tori should always restore uke to the starting position at the end of the application of the technique. If multiple techniques are performed, the tori should move back one step between each technique. When the tori applies holding techniques, the uke should demonstrate three escape attempts, one to left, right, and center, followed by tapping for surrender (three times). Ill Bo Kyurugi – One Step Sparring One step sparring should be performed on both sides for adults, children over 10 yrs old, and all students at brown belt (3rd Kub) and above. The primary requirement is the specific one step listed on the exam. Kyurugi – Free Sparring Sparring should follow USTU Tae Kwon Do rules of engagement. The power used should be adjusted based on the level of the examinees. Light or no contact is appropriate for white belts, up to medium contact for higher belts. The main purpose of the sparring is to see whether the students are learning to use the techniques and maintain balance and composure. Yong-Uh – Terminology A grade-level description of the requirements for terminology is begin developed, however as a basic guideline it should be in accord with the techniques that the student is performing but also in consideration of the age of the student. White belt level should be simple counting and basic terms such as the words for uniform or the training area. Ki-Hap The ki-hap is an important aspect of the exam. It demonstrates the strength and confidence of the student. Questions Questions are usually left up to the discretion of the examiner. Often they are based on gaining more information about the development of the student in areas related to character and discipline. T.K.A. Simsa Requirements Guide Poom-Heang – Discipline The display of discipline should be commensurate with rank of student, however above green belt there should be a clear understanding of the etiquette and testing protocols. Attendance Training frequency should be at least two times per week for a B grade. Consistent training and 3 times per week could qualify for an A grade. A note on starting stances Many techniques can be performed from a number of stances, so to say there is one right or wrong stance is not correct. In training it is always useful to emphasize that techniques should be practiced from all stances so that a student is comfortable using them in any position. However, for the person who is testing, it can make a big difference in terms of their confidence of preparation, as well as the quality of execution since they may have practiced exclusively from one stance or another. Particularly for the beginning students this can have a large effect on their performance since the technique alone may be challenging. To help provide a consistent basis for evaluation as well as allow the student to worry about the technique without concern of multiple ways of doing things, the guide specifies starting stances. For techniques that require forward movement, if a starting stance is specified (for example “Left Front Stance,” then the first technique should be applied after making the first movement to a right front stance. This allows the student to apply full body movement to the technique. T.K.A. Simsa Requirements Guide 9th Kub (Yellow Belt) 1. Low and Middle Block Start from a Left Front Stance. Low block should be on the step forward (right side followed by left side middle block). Children under 7 yrs old only need to do Low Block. 2. Middle Punch Start from a Left Front Stance. First punch should be on the step forward into right side stance. The target of the attack is the solar plexus. 3. Front and Side Snap Kick Starting from Left Front Stance, kick to the groin and the knee joint without putting the foot down.