Additions
This section will present additions, upgrades, and organizational factors that I am responsible for in the final development of the system, American Ji Do Kwan Karate.
My original Karate requirements have remained the same as taught to me except for some inclusions at lower levels, along with inclusions and upgrades at intermediate and advanced levels. Of course the use of circular motion in intermediate and advanced levels has also created change.
Focus on the changing of the guard arm at White Belt and institution of the cross kick at Yellow Belt account for changes at these levels.
Focus on the grasping block and takedowns during self-defense situations, along with organization of Beginning Ju-Jitsu Technique have been developed and start at Blue Belt.
More Ju-Jitsu technique is added at Green Belt, the first of our two intermediate levels. Basic Judo is introduced.
The first of Filipino Hand Patterns from Arnis are introduced at Purple Belt. Based on "Redondo" the pattern I call "Triple Hands" focuses on working to the inside or outside of an opponent’s arms and hands using a Parry, Check/Catch,Counter. It also works on shifting weight and slipping attacks in a lateral direction.
Also, the patterns "Single" and "Double Sinawalli" are taught with sticks and then, once learned reduced to empty hand practice.
At Purple / 3rd Brown level our primary "Posting" pattern from Eskrido is introduced which is developed into "Post and Lock" and "Post, Lock, Takedown" (Hubod Takedown) before the end of 3rd Brown. Traditional Weapons are introduced at 3rd Brown Belt with our first weapon form Bo#1. Flying Kicks are taught, Ju-Jitsu continues to develop with attention to escapes and reverses, and more Judo techniques are added.
The first of our advanced elbow strikes and striking patterns are taught.
At 2nd Brown the complete series of advance elbow strikes are being taught. An Instep kick targeted specifically to the inside and outside centerline of the leg is added.
At Shodan I introduce concepts and techniques from Tai Chi Chuan. Dynamics for separating and uprooting, leading and takedowns, locking and dropping.
I also begin my student’s real use of the knife. I consider it to be currently the best self-defense weapon you can get. Recent manufacture of "Tacticals" has kept them small, transportable, and designed for personal defense. Also their ownership by average American Citizens is not under attack.
The patterns from Arnis and Eskrido that I have been teaching my students for empty hand attack and defense since Purple Belt now begin to flower. I simply place a knife in their hands. Immediately you can see in their face that it all becomes apparent. It is usable right now. Adding patterns and practices designed for knife to knife begin the upgrade of the process.
Following close behind my mentor in this, Grandmaster deLeon; I employ the same method of knife use as he does. Every time you stab you cut every time you cut you stab.
I know that you are asking yourself; "What about 1st Brown". The student receives 1st Brown when they are scheduled to take their Black Belt test. They must be at least sixteen years old. There is no minimum time to reach Black Belt. However, average time is six years.
1st Brown Belt is reserved to prepare for their test. No new technique or kata are taught at this level. They attend class, study, work out the kinks, polish the rough spots and make sure that the notebooks they have been keeping since Yellow Belt are correct.
Our Black Belt test is five days long. They test for three hours each on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. They rest Friday, then test for 12 to 13 hours on Saturday.
Drastic to some. However, I cannot see spending six years working for a Black Belt then having something as anti-climatical as a two-hour test to earn it. Our test for Blue Belt is two hours long. Six year olds take that. You can’t even test an adult’s stamina in that amount of time, much less their character.
Over the years I have talked with people whose Sensei gave them a Black Belt without a test, or only tested them for a few hours. They were upset because they didn’t feel like Black Belts. They never had to give anywhere near what they were expecting. They were let down. I felt very sorry for them.
On the other hand, I have talked to Black Belts who thought that two hours was the most gut wrenching time they ever had. They almost passed out. They felt they were lucky to finish and get their Black Belts. They were let down also. I felt more sorry for them.
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