RANK QUALIFICATIONS

(Put together by Sifu John R. Himes, but modified with permission by Paul Himes
for the Maranatha K.I.K.S. Team)

                        Historically, belt ranks were not given in Chinese martial arts, since they are an invention of a Japanese, Jigaro Kano of Judo fame. However, in Temple Chinese Boxing we use a belt system to allow us to compare with other styles (in tournaments, etc.) and to encourage progress. These qualifications are not set in stone and may be changed by the instructor.  Note also that each test requires the knowledge of all previous ranks, including technique and form requirements.

             Note: the qualifications given here are those required for that particular belt, not those learned after that particular belt.

9th Yellow Sash

1. Basic Bow
2. Basic punches, kicks and blocks
3. Form: Shaolin Fung ("Small Forest Wind")

 8th Yellow Sash
1. Ceremonial Bow
2. Intermediate kicks (crescent, inverted crescent, back, jump front kick)
3. Forms: Hung #1.
4. Self Defense: Six Animals--Dragon, Tiger, Crane, Leopard, Snake, Praying Mantis.
5. Basic blocks, basic stances
6. Introduction to pushing hands (just for sensitivity)

7th Yellow Sash
1. Form: Hung #2, one weapons form.
2. Self Defense: Chuan Fa Orange #1-5
3. Duels: application of pushing hands, introduction to sparring concepts/theories

 6th Green Sash
1. Kicks: flying side, flying back, flying roundhouse, Chinese flying crescent kick
2. Form: Lau Gar ("Lau Family"; known also as Flowing Motion #1),
                Short Form of the Tiger #1, Short Form of the Tiger #2.
3. Self defense: Chuan Fa Orange #6-10
4. Duels: push hands techniques, basic sparring, introduction to "dog-boxing" and grappling

 5th Green Sash
1. Form: Pai Lum ("Emperor Dragon"), Ling Po ("Consecutive Step"; known also as Flowing Motion #2),
2. Self Defense: Chuan Fa Orange #11-16
3. Duels: introduction to single Chi Sau, advanced sparring

4th Green Sash
1. Form: Pai Lim ("Prince Dragon")
2. Self Defense: The advanced six animal techniques
3. Duels: introduction to double Chi Sau

3rd Brown Sash
1. Forms: Long Shu (Dragon Palm) and "Warren's Quarterstaff Form"
2. Self Defense: Chuan Fa Purple ("Hidden Foot") #1-6
3. Weapon: The quarterstaff: basic twirls and blocks
4. Duels: Sparring with application of the ten "TCBA Concepts," basic throws and takedowns
5. A three page paper on fighting and the Christian

 2nd Brown Sash
1. Forms: "Walking Dragon" and "Kung Fu Dance"
2. Self Defense: Chuan Fa Purple ("Hidden Foot") #7-12
3. Duels: cross hands, chin na chaining
4. Paper: Type a three page paper on "What is Real Christianity." (What does Jesus personally mean to me and how does it affect my daily life?)
 

5. For Assistant Sifu rating only: Complete a 30 minute written exam on the martial arts (at least 75% correct).

 1st Brown Sash
1. Forms: Flowing Motion (also known as "Flowing Motion #3"), and Lau Gar Cha Lu (3-sectional staff form to Lau Gar footwork)
2. Self Defense: Chuan Fa Purple ("Hidden Foot") #13-18
3. Duels: Sparring with ground work
4. Write a 3 page paper responding to the three common objections to Christians being involved in the martial arts. (1. It promotes violence. 2. It is connected to the occult or Zen Buddhism. 3. The Bible encourages the "turn the other cheek" approach.)