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1. Ten
(10) Personal Victories
Each student is required to fulfill (and record) 10 achievements
they consider to be “Personal Victories.” A Personal Victory might be
doing something you’ve always wanted to do or finish (skydiving,
meeting a hero, finishing a degree, making amends with someone,
running a marathon, losing weight). Personal Victories will be entered
in your journal and documented in the Black Belt Promotional Workbook.
Due over the next 5 years after
promotion....10% due Now!!
2.Ten
Testing Performances
An integral part of the Black belt Promotion is in the mastery of your
martial arts skills. To polish these skills each student is required
to put together a demonstration An integral part of the Black belt
Test is in the mastery of your martial arts skills. To polish these
skills each student is required to put together a demonstration (a
“Testing Performance”) featuring their personal martial arts test
requirements and curriculum. A Testing Performance is a demonstration
of the techniques and skills you have mastered in your martial arts
career and for your test. As a part of the Black belt you must have
performed your Testing Performance in front of 10 different groups.
Those groups may include your students, your peers, your seniors, and
various groups in your community. Your Testing Performance is made up
of those skills that make you look the best. You get to design it
yourself.
Due Now!!
3.Students
in The Black Belt Test must have attended three very special events.
The events are meant to bring the student together for unique
experiences that build camaraderie, teamwork, and new skills. Note:
The events are, always, more than they appear to be. As student black
belts who attend will go back to the school and recreate the
experience for their students.
Due before December 2007
4.Push
Ups and Crunches
52,000 (minimum) push
ups and crunches are required by final exam. That's 1000 a week, 150 a
day per exercise. Needs to be completed by (3rd level Black) third Dan
promotions.
10% min due now!!!
This may seem like a lot of reps, but test participants soon come to
realize it's one of the easiest requirements. The concept behind this
requirement is in taking a huge and ambitious project and breaking it
down into small, bite-sized pieces. As martial arts teachers, this is
exactly what we want to show and teach our students: you CAN DO things
that seem overwhelming if you set your goals properly and work at them
on a day-by-day basis.
ICAN Lifestyle
5.Sparring
1000 rounds of
sparring (stand up and/or ground fighting) are required by final exam
time. That's an average of 3 rounds per day. Rounds must be 2 minutes
or longer.
10% due Now!!!
6.Brazilian
Jiu Jitsu or NHB (No Holds Barred) Requirement
Each participant in the BBT must complete 150 hours of Jiu-Jitsu mat
time (three hours per week). Ideally each candidate would earn a blue
belt or equivalent in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or any NHB style grappling.
The official BBT Grappling Coach is Renshi Joe McClellan, but
candidates may use anyone (and there are a 1000 great instructors
around the world) for instruction and ranking.
10% Due Now!!
7.Forms
Requirements
Each student will choose one form (or more, if they care to) and
complete a minimum of 1000 repetitions of it. This form will be a part
of the final BBT exam.
Due by exam for amount assigned
to candidates
The BBT is about
getting in shape, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
What "in shape" means, is relative to the participant . . . so that
determination will be made between the participant and the
Instructors. Whatever the end result of the test, one element is
standard for each participant: each student must show a level of
mastery in their chosen discipline that is congruent with their level
of rank and physical potential. Let it be known that nobody will earn
belt rank in
American Shorei/Shorin Karatedo
&
American Freestyle Karate
unless they come to the final test in the very best shape of their
life. For the form (kata), each participant should be able to perform
it at the very highest level, and meet the strictest requirements of
any traditional master of that Kata. Must know bunkai of each kata
preformed. Move your standards up in ever area of your life
8.Self-Defense
Training
Each student must have training (currently, there are no minimum time
requirements) in a reality-based self-defense training program.
Self-defense advisors to the SDT for the BBT are Hanshi Piddington and
Kyoshi McCall and Renshi McClellan all can help you with acceptable
training for this requirement
9.Boxing
Requirements
Students must have a minimum of 20 hours of training with a boxing or
Muay Thai boxing coach. Mr. Matt Watson may be consulted for this
training.
10% due Now!!!
10.Seeking
Out a Master
Each student will be required to seek out one master (of any
discipline in or out of the martial arts), interview
them, and, if possible, study with
him or her.
Due by December 2007
11.Reading
Requirements
Each Student will be required to read 12 or more books pertaining to
management or philosophy, motivation or enlightenment. Members of the
AFSKC have access to a suggested reading list, however the students,
based on his or her interests, may choose the titles. Books read will
be tracked in the Black Belt Promotional Workbook.
Due By
December 2007
12.Anthony
Robbins 30 Day Unlimited Power Course
Participants must go through the Robbins 30-Day or 7-Day tape
series or have equivalent training in the Robbins system
Due By
December 2007
13.Body
For Life
Students must come to the final exam in the best shape of their adult
lives. Each student, prior to the exam, is required to follow Mr.
Keever's diet and training program from his Gym and any reading
material he assigns.
Due Now!!!
14.Empathy
Training -
Check out this great
example!
One full day of living in a wheelchair, one full day blind, and one
full day mute are required by all
students.
To be completed the next 3 years .
Keep record
15.Acts
of Kindness and Compassion
Each student must perform and log 1000 acts of kindness and compassion
in his or her Black Belt Promotional Workbook. (or in an on-line Acts
of Kindness web site. In addition to this requirement, each students
must be the catalyst for 50,000 (minimum) acts of courtesy, kindness,
and respect from their students and/or community. Candidates may
choose to use Tom Callos' Random Acts of Kindness Program
(available through NAPMA) or the first booklet in the Six Tasks
Character Development Program (available through MAIA) or a
program of their own creation
To be completed over the next 5 years. Keep a record. Always be
truthful
16.
Righting Wrongs & Mending Relationships
Candidates are required to right three wrongs they've done in their
lives or mend three broken relationships. If this applies. Age and
life experiences will be consider.
To be completed over the next 3 years. Keep a record. Always be
truthful.
17.Preform
all AFSKC material. An integral part of the Black belt Promotion
is in the mastery of your martial arts Material. you will have a
skill, stress, and spirit test. Candidates will show their " heart of
a Warrior with precision " I can do this " inner and outer strength "
I am a Black Belt" can you live it ? can you do it?
Earth-water-Fire-wind ... Can you take it!!!Due NOW!!!
18
Each Year challenge yourself...Breaking..running..Bed of nails..walk
on broken Glass. Walk on Fire? Make time to visit other Schools....GOOD
LUCK IN YOUR BLACK BELT LIFE JOURNEY!!
19.
Complete a one Day Fast and record in your Black Belt Planner. Only
water or juices for 24 hrs and then write down how it made you feel.
Then plan on a two or three day Fast in the future to test yourself,
with moving your standards up.
Keep a record in your Black belt
Journal
20.Teach for 500 hrs for your 2 and 3rd
Dan requirements....20hrs due
Now
21. Spirituality Training: Are there things you would like to
accomplish but have been unwilling to consider because you've always
thought they would be impossible? If so, begin changing that pattern
by acknowledging that all things are possible when you are connected
to a higher power. When you feel inseparably connected to the source
of all creation, at all times, then all things are indeed possible!
22.
1000 word essay on " What earning a Black belt in "
American
Shorei/Shorin Karatedo" and "American freestyle Karate"
means to me " describe
your impression of the techniques, history, philosophy, and a Bio of
you journey to Black belt ( when you started and what you've done and
a what you are going to do . If we ask you to rewrite, we only want
more info, so it's OK to have to re-write.
23. Test questions before
the test and after which will encompass basic knowledge, application,
and history of your martial arts. Each question will be worth one
point and you must have 15 points to pass.
24.Black belt Quality:
beyond knowing the techniques after 4 years or more, do you
consistently demonstrate the following key qualities to be a Black
Belt in
American
Shorei/Shorin Karatedo" and "American freestyle Karate"
25.Once completion
of Black Belt exam, it will be (6) six Months before the Black Belt
certificates are issue as this will serve as a probation period.
Teaching requirements and promises will be meet.
* you understand
the purpose of the technique
* you can
demonstrate knowledge of technique details
*you rely on
unified body movements rather than the individual limbs for power
delivery
*you retain
control of your balance throughout each technique
*you demonstrate
mental focus (kime) throughout the technique
*you exemplify
concentrated "Heart of a Warrior" throughout the technique
*you are ever
carefully observant of safe and controlled technique practice with
partners.
Jesus
referred to his miracles and said" All that I have done, you too
shall be able to do And even far greater things than these. I
encourage you to study the Bible...number one book ever !
ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH
AND BE IN THE PRESENT...IT
WILL SET YOU FREE!!!!!!!!
Congratulations to our New Black Belts. For the first time in 30
years we have promoted a woman to Black Belt and not only did we
promote one...but two.
Robby Wright- Nidan
Ronnie
Brown-Shodan
Derek
Brock-Shodan
Stacy
Wright-Shodan
Jayme
Cloninger-Shodan
Hunter Foster- JR-Black Belt
Kaylan Callaway- JR- Black belt
Brandon Vigue - JR- Black belt
Kyoshi...Final thoughts on the Class of 2007 Black Belts:
At the end of the three day review, it was a test of will, faith and courage. The
Brown Belts started as concerned and doubtful students and left as Black
Belts with the "Heart of a Warrior" . The Black Belt panel of review
which was without a doubt one of the best in the
American
Shorei/Shorin Karatedo and
American freestyle Karate
history
made comments all weekend about the heart and
the power and character of each candidate.
It is a sad time for me after a Black Belt exam.
I always leave wondering if we did enough to change their will to win
and their Tomoe Warrior character. Honor and Truth we speak, but will they
live it, as things will never make us happy. Giving will make you
happy and I always give with an open heart. I want every Black Belt
to feel that I supplied the material to change the Tao (Way) in their
life. My door is always open to my Black Belts. As long as I am
breathing you have a person who you can talk with and share with for
the rest of our time on this earth. We are all connected to a
higher creator and God should always be first in your Heart. I
take every Black Belt exam serious and only we can hope that we did
give each candidate the skills to protect and guide them to greater
goals in their life. It is always hard to let go...but we have to let
go and let these New and Improved Black Belts stand on our shoulders
and see new grounds to be covered in the Martial Arts World.
This is a new beginning and they still
have much to learn, but like the Bonsai Trees given at the Tea
Ceremony, they will grow and be strong and someday be a beautiful Tree
to the Martial Arts.
For most of us grace appears uninvited and
unacknowledged. But, you can greatly amplify the presence of grace in
your life if you see yourself as deserving of it. You invite it in,
you acknowledge it, and give thanks for it. To me grace is a tangible
manifestation of God's love for me. Always keep God in your Heart and
work on spiritual clarity (sweating and fasting and praying)
All Black Belts can feel free to visit the Test
site and feel the energy you left and mediate and remember the steps
you took into Black Belt and your sweat and love of the Art that
allowed you to complete this awesome Test.
I want to thank Renshi McClellan for his love of
the Art and commitment to produce only the best Black Belts. Renshi
has such character and lets no stone go un-turned. Thanks to Renshi Lingerfelt for never letting the candle go out in his school and for
always being there to support our cause in our quest to make only the
best Black Belts. Thanks to Renshi Godrey for maintaining his commit to
God and the Martial Arts. Thanks to Mr. Renfro for getting back in the
game as he is a great teacher. Thanks to Sensei Ward for always being
a shinning light for the students and his character training comes
from the heart. Sensei Keever has shown he is a great leader and
teacher with complete knowledge of all the material. If not for him
and Mr. Ward the class of 2007 would not have been. They give so
freely of their time to keep the Saturday Morning program alive and
turning lemons into lemonade. We crowned a new Fire-Keeper as Mr.
Sharpe could not make it. Sensei Matt McCall stepped-up and kept the fire
burning during the 21 Warrior Rock Sweat. Sensei Wright has
raised his standards and helped get these new Black Belts ready for
their life journey as well moved to instructor Level Nidan (2nd Black)
I have always loved karate and every day I think of God and my family
and Master Funakoshi. He said "think of everyday as Karate
Training", and I do.
"Funakoshi was a man of Tao. He placed no emphasis on competitions, record
breaking or championships. He placed emphasis on individual self perfection.
He believe in the common decency and respect that one human being owed to
another. He was the master of masters.
I am now a Master of Masters and it feels
good that God gave me the heath, and family and courage to never give
up on my students and love of Karate.
In closing People always ask me why our exams
are so long and our thoughts are "we have high Standards for our Black Belt
and each time we raise the Bar"
I am so blessed.
Much respect & that is all I have to say!
Kyoshi McCall
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