Testing / Promotions  

There was a testing held today (12/5/2009) at LifeSkills School of Tae Kwon Do in Saco.  Testing got started shortly after 930am, and ended shortly before 1130am.  As part of testing, all students were put through their paces on assorted drills, such as punches, kicks, blocks, stances and movement drills.  We also had them do their falls and rolls, which is always a good skill to possess (especially since as I type this it's SNOWING!!!)

We made sure everyone did all of their required hyungs, and I think the rotating system we used all day made sure that the Black Belt panel was able to get a good look at everyone.

Many thanks to Sabumnim Rittershaus for letting us come to his dojang for this testing, always a good time!

I'd also like to take a moment to thank the Black Belt panel for their time and expertise:

Koryo Karate School - Kyosanim Cartier & Kyosanim Richardson

LifeSkills - Kyosanim Rittershaus(Charlie), Kyosanim Rittershaus(Jack), & Kyosanim Franklin

The following promotions were awarded: (Listed alphabetically)

Bobbie - from Shipgup (White) w/ 3 orange stripes to Koogup (Orange) 

Bradford - from Palgup (Gold) w/ 2 green stripes  to Chilgup (Advanced Gold) w/ 4 green stripes

Caitlin - from Child Yookgup (Green) w/ 2 blue stripes to Yookgup (Green) *Cailtin turned 8 in November, and at 8 I switch from the long-striped single wrap belts to the traditional solid colored double wrap belts, with the long striped color not necessarily being the color their solid belt will become.  Caitlin's ability to progress from long green to solid green shows the hard work she has been putting in!

Charlie - from Yookgup (Green) to Ohgup (Advanced Green) w/ 3 blue stripes

Conor - from Shipgup (White) w/ 3 orange stripes to Koogup (Orange)

Dylan - from Child Koogup (Orange) w/ 3 gold stripes to Child Palgup (long gold stripe)

Elliot - from Shipgup (White) w/ 4 orange stripes to Child Koogup (long orange stripe)

Emily - from Shipgup (White) w/ 3 orange stripes to Shipgup (White) w/ 5 orange stripes

Ethan - from Child Shipgup (White) w/ 3 orange stripes to Child Koogup (long orange stripe)

Joyce - from Yookgup (Green) to Ohgup (Advanced Green) w/ 3 blue stripes

Mia - from Shipgup (White) w/ 5 orange stripes to Koogup (Orange)

Michelle - from Shipgup (White) to Shipgup (White) w/ 3 orange stripes

Miranda - from Shipgup (White) w/ 3 orange stripes to Koogup (Orange)

Noah - from Shipgup (White) w/ 3 orange stripes to Shipgup (White) w/ 5 orange stripes

Sarah P - from Shipgup (White) to Shipgup (White) w/ 4 orange stripes

Sean - from Ohgup (Advanced Green) w/ 3 blue stripes to Ohgup (Advanced Green) w/ 4 blue stripes

Shelby - from Koogup (Orange) w/ 3 gold stripes to Koogup (Orange) w/ 5 gold stripes

Sophie - from Child Palgup (long gold stripe) to Child Yookgup (long green stripe)

I know it was a different atmosphere, being in such a big room with all those other people, but it was a good experience.  Congrats to all who tested for a job well done!

The next formal testing is scheduled for Feb 2010, so start training!  And never forget, I am ready, willing and able to make "spot promotions" ANY NIGHT we are at class.  So work hard each and every night!!

 ~tmm~

  On Saturday August 1st, a testing was held at the Koryo Karate School dojang.  A total of 6 people were invited to test, but two had to back out due to scheduling issues (get'em next time!)  Their written tests were handed out as they walked through the door (I had forgotten to hand them out the other day...oops!)  Kyosanim Richardson corrected their tests, as well as making notations on their techniques.  Everyone was put through their paces, from ALL the basics, to a Korean terminology quiz, to hyungs and some striking of Mr. Spanky.  (I attacked everyone continuously, and they had to block as many of the strikes as they could...it was fun!) 

  The following students were promoted:

Brenden - from Koogup (Orange Belt) to Advanced Koogup (Orange w/ 3 Gold stripes)

Bradford - from Advanced Koogup (Orange Belt w/ 5 Gold stripes) to Palgup (Gold Belt)

Caitlin - from Advanced Purplegup (Purple Belt w/ 4 Green stripes) to Child Yookgup (long Green striped belt)

Joyce - from Chilgup (Gold Belt w/ 5 Green stripes) to Yookgup (Green Belt)

Congratulations to all on a job well done.

Be sure to check out the Albums Section to see all the action shots.

I have decided that I'm going to do "In-Class Testing" again this month, like I did in April.  It worked out well, and gave me flexibility in evaluating/promoting.

There may OR may not be promotions this month.  You should always train with the mindset that you are working hard enough to be promoted. 

As I say all the time, you are being evaluated EVERY NIGHT.  Even when it's just a "regular" night, and not specifically a testing.  After all, I don't want your best effort on only select days...I want your best efforts EVERY NIGHT!

Good luck to all . . .

A testing was held at the Koryo Karate School.  Students from LifeSkills School of Tae Kwon Do also attended.  A total of 8 students tested, for ranks from Orange Belt to Brown Belt.

After a thorough test, which included lots of basics (blocks, kicks, stances, strikes), we performed all of our hyungs.  More drills, a Korean terminology quiz and some hitting of the water bag, and they were tired.

Promotions awarded:

Caitlin - Koryo Karate School, from Advanced Child Palgup (long gold with 4 green stripes) to Purplegup (long purple striped belt) 

Bradford - Koryo Karate School, from Advanced Shipgup (white belt with 3 orange stripes) to Koogup - Orange Belt.

Cierra - Koryo Karate School, from Advanced Shipgup (white belt with 5 orange stripes) to Koogup - Orange Belt.

Avery - LifeSkills, from Advanced Koogup (orange belt with 6 gold stripes) to Palgup - Gold Belt.

Joyce - Koryo Karate School, from Koogup (orange belt with 1 green stripe) to Chilgup (Gold with 3 green stripes)

Anna - LifeSkills, from Ohgup (green with 6 blue stripes) to Sagup (Blue Belt)

Michelle - LifeSkills, from Yookgup (green belt) to Sagup (Blue Belt)

Sarah - Koryo Karate School, from Samgup (blue belt with 5 brown stripes), to Yigup (Brown Belt)

Congratulations to all!

Check out the Albums page for more action shots from testing . . . I have even more photos, so feel free to e-mail me if you want to see more!

A special thanks to Sabumnim Rittershaus for bringing his students to my dojang for this event.

AND, a special thanks to Kyosanim Cartier (the one you can just barely see hiding behind Bradford) for taking notes on the students techniques, and for taking many of the action shots.  Much appreciated!!

For a variety of reasons, I didn't do my regular Saturday Testing in December.  However, I decided that there were promotions that I wanted to make, so I did these at an in-class promotion on the last day of classes for 2008 (Tuesday 12/16).

The following promotions were awarded:

Kids Class:

Bradford - from Shipgup to Advanced Shipgup  (White Belt to White Belt w/ 3 Orange Stripes)

Caitlin - from Child Palgup to Child Chilgup  (Long striped Gold Belt w/ 2 Green Stripes to long striped Gold Belt w/ 4 Green Stripes)

Cierra - from Advanced Shipgup to Advanced Shipgup  (White Belt w/ 4 Orange Stripes to White Belt w/ 5 Orange Stripes)

Sean - from Yookgup to Yookgup  (Green Belt w/ 1 Blue Stripe to Green Belt w/ 2 Blue Stripes)

Sophie - from Child Koogup to Advanced Child Koogup  (Long striped Orange Belt to long striped Orange Belt w/ 3 Gold Stripes)

Adult Class:

Charlie - from Chilgup to Chilgup  (Gold Belt w/ 3 Green Stripes to Gold Belt w/ 4 Green Stripes)

John - from Ohgup to Sagup  (Green Belt w/ 4 Blue Stripes to Blue Belt)

Joyce - from Palgup to Palgup  (Gold Belt to Gold Belt w/ 1 Green Stripe)

Sarah - from Samgup to Samgup  (Blue Belt w/ 4 Brown Stripes to Blue Belt w/ 5 Brown Stripes)

Steve - from Palgup to Palgup  (Gold Belt to Gold Belt w/ 1 Green Stripe)

* The next promotion will be the first Saturday of February 2009, and from there we will continue with our regular every-other-month-first-Saturday-of-that-month testing format. 

Time to start studying!!

A Testing was held on October 4th, 2008, with 5 students being put through their paces.

The results are as follows:

Thomas H - from Palgup to Palgup (Gold to Gold w/ 2 Green Stripes)
Jen H - from Palgup to Chilgup (Gold to Gold w/ 3 Green Stripes)
Charlie D - from Palgup (w/ 2 Green Stripes) to Chilgup (Gold w/ 3 Green Stripes)
John P - Yookgup to Ohgup (Green to Green w/ 4 Blue Stripes)
Sarah B - Sagup (with 2 Brown Stripes) to Samgup (Blue w/ 4 Brown Stripes)

Congratulations to all!  They were kept pretty busy the whole time, and looked a little tired when it was all said and done.

Next testing is set for Saturday, December 6th, 2008.  The time to start training for that testing is . . .  N O W !

Due to a very busy schedule (of mine), I am not able to do the regular Saturday morning testing this month.  So what I have done instead is do my "In-Class" Testing/Evaluations.  As you all know, I evaluate everyone, every night.  But this month I am going to promote based on what I see!  If that isn't incentive to train hard EACH AND EVERY CLASS, I don't know what is!  As I say all the time, I reserve the right to promote anyone, at anytime, just because you're working hard and improving . . . 

So on June 26th, based on that night and the previous couple of training nights, I made the following promotions:

   Steve  -  Promoted from Koogup (Orange Belt with 4 Gold Stripes) to Palgup (Gold Belt)

   Charlie  -  Promoted from Palgup (Gold Belt) to Palgup (Gold Belt with 2 Green Stripes)

   John  -  Promoted from Palgup (Gold Belt with 2 Green Stripes) to Chilgup (Advanced Gold Belt with 4 Green Stripes)

   Sarah  -  Promoted from Sagup (Blue Belt) to Sagup (Blue Belt with 2 Brown Stripes)

   A good job by all!  Stay tuned for more "spot promotions" in early July.  Will YOU be next?????

   The April 12th, 2008 testing has been completed.

   The following Promotions were awarded, based on their performances during testing:

   Brock C - Promoted from Child Orange Belt (Koogup) to Advanced Child Orange Belt (With 3 Gold Stripes)

   Caitlin P - Promoted from Advanced Child Orange Belt (Koogup with 3 Gold Stripes) to Child Gold Belt

   Cristian K - Promoted from Gold Belt with 2 Green Stripes (Palgup) to Green Belt (Yookgup)

   Joyce P - Promoted from Orange Belt with 1 Gold Stripe (Koogup) to Advanced Orange Belt with 3 Gold Stripes (Koogup)

   Sarah B - Promoted from Advanced Green Belt with 3 Blue Stripes (Ohgup) to Blue Belt (Sagup)

   Everyone did a very good job, and demonstarted excellent techniques.  All promotions were based on how well each student did, and their final rank was done as a recommendation from my testing panel.  My thanks to Kyosanim Nicole Cartier and Kyosanim Missy Richardson.  I appreciate all the notes they took, and the input they provided!

   All the photos from testing have been added to the Album's Page, titled "Testing April 12th, 2008", be sure to check them out! 

   The following is a list of the ranking system used in the Koryo Karate School.  As you will see, there are generally two levels to each rank.  The time spent in each of the ranks will be dependent on many factors, including but not limited to attendance at class, willingness to train hard, ability to perform the techniques, proper attitude, knowledge of Korean history and terminology, proper use of the 5 tenets both in and out of class, etc.  (Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, Indomitable Spirit)  Ranks are not automatic, they must be earned.  Testing of the student is done informally every class, but an official test will be given when it is felt you are ready.  A student does not ask to be tested, they must be invited to test.

     Each student will be given an informational packet which contains all the information necessary for promotion.  These will be given once the student has attained a new rank.  These packets are mainly used to refresh the students memory, especially considering there are times when the student is not able to come to class for one reason or another i.e. injury, extended vacation, playing a sport, etc.

   In ALL classes, the student will earn up to 5 colored stripes on their belts before attaining a new colored belt.  These colored stripes are attached horizontally at the tip of their belts, and it signifies their advancement, one step at a time, towards the new colored rank.  A student does not necessarily need to advance to all 5 stripes to get their next colored belt.  A new belt can be earned at any time.  A student is considered to be “Advanced” in their current rank when they have received 3 stripes.

   * In the Kids / Youth classes, if the student is under 8 years old, I use a seperate and distinctive rank belt.  This belt is White, with a stripe that runs the length of the belt, and is a "single wrap".  These belts are easier to tie, making the student more responsible for their own belt tying (and not the parents.) 

   The colored stripes progress the same as the advancing ranks of the belt system.  However, a White Belt with an Orange Stripe is not equal to a Youth or Adult Orange Belt.  I use this system in order to be able to advance the younger group with a new belt every now and then.  Once the students reaches 8 years old, they would then progress with the solid "double wrap" belts like everyone else.

   The grading system used in the Koryo Karate School  is very similar to a grade-school ranking system.  There is a minimum standard a student must meet in order to be promoted.  As an example, a student may be testing for their Orange Belt.  If they are able to perform all techniques at a basic level, and are able to show a basic knowledge of Korean terms and history, they might end up being promoted to Orange Belt with a score of 70%.  (A grade of D in grade school, but passing!)  Failing to meet this minimum standard means that the student will not be promoted, at all!

   It is up to the student to try to work for that A grade, instead of settling for that D.  I take into consideration many factors when grading students.  Their ability to perform the requested techniques.  Their attentiveness during class.  If they show respect to their Instructor, fellow students and dojang.  And their attendance at class.  However, I also look at each student individually.  I never compare one student to another student.  The only comparison I ever make it that student against themselves.  Have they improved from last week?  Last month?  4 months ago?  Are they a little faster, or stronger, or maybe more flexible?  So long as a student is earnestly trying to improve, I do not hold anything against them.

   Speaking from personal experience, I have never been the most flexible person.  However, my inability to kick over my head has never stopped my progression in the martial arts.  It is a totality of the student that I am evaluating, not just one aspect!

Gup ranks - under black belt                                         Dan ranks - black belt and above

SHIPGUP         - white belt                                                                CHODAN  - 1st degree

KOOGUP         - orange belt                                                              YIDAN  - 2nd degree

PALGUP         - gold belt                                                                  SAMDAN  - 3rd degree

CHILGUP         - gold belt w/3 green stripes                                SADAN  - 4th degree

YOOKGUP         - green belt                                                             OHDAN  - 5th degree

OHGUP         - green belt w/3 blue stripes                                   YOOKDAN  - 6th degree

SAGUP            - blue belt                                                                      CHILDAN  - 7th degree

SAMGUP        - blue belt w/3 brown stripes                                   PALDAN  - 8th degree

YIGUP            - brown belt                                                                  KOODAN  - 9th degree

CHOGUP        - red belt

Testing Information – Ranking Criteria

Students testing for advancing ranks will be scored based on 5 different “grading” sections:

40% - Basics (Blocks – 10%, Kicks – 10%, Stances – 10%, Strikes – 10%)

30% - Hyungs

10% - History

10% - Korean Terminology

10% - Fighting Ability

Each section will be graded, and all scores added together.  In order for a student to even be considered for ANY promotion (1-5 stripes or a new belt), they MUST receive a MINIMUM score of 70%.  This follows the grade school concept that 70% is Passing (equivalent to a Grade of D).

Example:  A student scores 26% on Basics (9, 6, 5, 6); 25% on Hyungs; 7% on History; 7% on Korean Terminology; 8% on Fighting Ability.  This would give them a total “score” of 73%, and they are eligible for promotion.  Exactly what promotion they receive will be up to the Testing Panel.

From the scores received, the student will have a clear understanding of what areas they need to study/train more in.  In the above example, the student would know that they need to work more on: Strikes, Kicks, and especially Stances. They would also know they should spend just a little more time on History and Terminology.  This gives them important information, which they can then use to make themselves a better overall martial artist.  It also gives the Instructor(s) a heads-up on specifically what they need to work with this student on. 

A student who does not receive the minimum score of 70% would not receive ANY promotion.  Hopefully, every student would be prepared for their test, and there would not even be a remote possibility that they receive below 70%.  But ALL students should know that no rank is automatic, and they must train hard and be prepared for their test.  I don’t want to fail anyone, but I will not promote anyone who is not ready to be promoted.  With that in mind, I don’t invite people to test who aren’t ready, so your success is squarely on your own shoulders!