WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
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Exams Are Key to Achieving Success
Student exams are an essential element of any acquired skill. Much like climbing a ladder, rank promotions are designed to help students prove to themselves and their peers that they have the knowledge and skills to move on to the next level.
Periodic exams are held every 3-6 months and apply the necessary pressure to encourage students to reach their goals within a reasonable timeframe. They help instructors to get a feel for where a student might need some particular attention, while also helping Focus Martial Arts to improve its program based on how we see our students perform. Testing also teaches key life skills for empowering our students to develop the ability to perform in front of others.
Focus Martial Arts & Fitness is a black belt school that teaches more then kicking and punching. The goal, of course, is to help each student achieve black belt through a series of successful belt promotions. To break it down even further, belt promotions are achieved by successfully completing a series of stripe tests (held every 3 months during regularly scheduled classes at no charge). This will also keep our students motivated and moving forward with regular feedback from our instructors.
Stripe tests can best be compared to the ongoing exams students take in any semester course in school. Every three months, students take a stripe test during their regularly scheduled classes based on the information covered during that time frame. If they successfully pass, they will receive stripes toward their next rank. Once the student receives their “Red Stripe”, the student will receive an invitation to take their rank or “final” promotion, thus gaining their new belt – and advancement to the next level.
Good attendance plays a crucial role in each student’s successful step up the ladder toward black belt. Stripes tests must be taken during the week scheduled, if by chance they miss a stripe test, they may make it during any other appropriate class during the week of stripe testing. If they miss these options they must wait until the next stripe test (approximately 3 months later) to make it up. If this is the case, they may be eligible for additional stripes at this time based on their further advancement in training.
Many students and their parents approach exams and tests with relative apprehension. This is where a positive attitude can really prove beneficial. If a black belt is what you really want, then you must prepare for your exams to the best of your ability. Rank promotions will also teach each student the life skill of performance in front of a larger group of parents and peers teaching them important leadership skills in the process.
Study and practice until you know your stuff. You’ll have the confidence to tackle exams head on, and before you know it, you’ll have earned the right to wear the Focus Martial Arts black belt. A rank you can take into any dojo in the world and they will know you are a black belt. Stay Focused, train Hard, and earn that Black belt!
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Stripe Testing Procedures
- Stripe testing will run for one week approximately every three months typically in the months of February, April, August and November. Stripe testing is provided free of charge during your regularly scheduled classes. We do this as a convenience to all of our students and their parents and allow stripe testing to be made up during any other appropriate class during that week.
- If you know you or your child is going to miss their regularly scheduled class during the week of stripe testing then it is up to you to get them to another regularly scheduled class during that week to make it up.
- Any student who is unable to make up their stripe test during these alternate times or classes will be required to wait until the next stripe test held three months later. Students missing their stripe test will be able to continue on with their training and may qualify for additional stripes at the next stripe test. Students will not be held back because they missed the stripe test but will continue moving forward in their training.
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Rank Promotion Procedures
- Rank Promotions will be provided to all students who have earned their “red stripe” and will typically be held two weeks following stripe testing on Saturdays (See our 'Events' page for details and test dates). If you can not attend the times scheduled then we also have an alternative during the same day and you can attend either the Lake In The Hills (Afternoons) or the Deerfield (Mornings) Rank Promotion.
- Rank Promotions are important for the student’s development and teaches key life skills that will help them develop into leaders. With this in mind it is important that each student be present for the rank promotion which will be held every three months for white through Purple belt ranks. Brown and Black Belt Promotion will be held in March and September of each year.
- In certain situations that are out of the control of the students, we will occasionally allow a student to make up an exam following the regularly scheduled Exam. Situations that are catastrophic or situations that warrant special attention. In these cases, Focus must be informed of your situation as soon as you are aware of them. Calls must be received by the test date for make ups to be considered. Situations which will not be considered are choices to attend parties, social outings, sporting events, recitals, vacations etc.
- Uncontrollable and approved circumstances may warrant a make up exam which, if approved, will need to be set up with the appropriate instructor after the test has been completed. The higher the students rank, the more important the rank promotion will be so students who are blue belt and higher will typically have to wait until the next promotion to be tested unless pre-approved by the instructor as outlined above.
- Students not showing up for their scheduled promotion will need to wait until the next scheduled promotion to test unless approved by their instructor.
- Approved make up exams may be subject to an additional private lesson fee with the appropriate instructor.
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Sparring Equipment Requirements by Rank Level
Kumite/sparring is a very important part of the martial arts experience and it is our opinion that in order to truly understand peace, you must be confident in your ability to defend yourself. Those children and adults who have the highest confidence levels are not only more likely to be leaders; they are also less likely to use aggressive behaviors to lead. Kumite therefore is an integral part of our training and certain procedures/steps in becoming proficient in sparring.
Just as a white belt is not expected to know much about what is required of them when they begin karate then so is the martial artist who is first learning to spar. Sparring is a process that is not learned in a day but in the journey of many years. Below are the basic equipment requirements for each level of training and the reason the equipment is needed at each level. Of course you may purchase all the equipment at any level if you want to begin kumite/sparring sooner rather than later. For safety reasons, any athlete who does not have the proper equipment for their rank level will only be allowed to participate at the level they are equipped for. Thank you for being part of the Focus Family, we are making America stronger one athlete at a time!
Present Rank |
Equipment* |
Comments |
Level 1
White Belt,
White Belt/Orange Stripe
Orange Belt/White Stripe
Orange Belt
Yellow Belt/White |
Uniform and Fist Guards |
This level will use this equipment for hitting pads, bags and getting used to the equipment. |
Level 2
Yellow Belt
Blue Belt/White Stripe |
The above equipment plus a Mouth Guard & Groin Cup (male) |
This level will also use their equipment for specific partner drills (no free sparring will be allowed) |
Level 3
Blue Belt
Green Belt/White Stripe |
The above equipment plus Shin Guards & Chest Protector |
This equipment will be used for controlled free sparing with no head attacks or head contact. |
Level 4
Green Belt & Higher |
The above equipment plus a Sparring Helmet (Full Gear) |
For free sparing |
*Full gear can be purchased at anytime and must be the proper equipment and color (see your instructor for details). It is the athlete’s responsibility to have the proper equipment available for each class. Any student not having the proper gear will train at the appropriate level that they are equipped for or, they may have to sit out of the sparring portion of the class. You can find the weekly curriculum listed on the curriculum.
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Brown & Black Belt Mandatory Pre-Test Policy
It is Focus Martial Arts' philosophy to take all the precautions necessary to prepare you for this advanced level rank exam. In keeping with this philosophy, for each Brown/Black Belt Exam we will offer a Mandatory Pre-Test prior to the Brown & Black Belt exams to verify that each student has continued the proper training as outlined on the rank requirement sheets. Getting the appropriate number of stripes for rank is the preliminary approval for Focus students to test for their next rank but the red stripe indicates that a student has met the minimum requirements to test for their next rank. Minimum requirements do not necessarily mean that the student will pass their test, only that they have a basic level understanding of the requirements of their next level. The Pre-Test will help each student to better determine if they are ready for the Rank Exam.
Therefore, all students who are planning to test for the Brown/Black Belt Exam will be required to take a Pre-Test in order to earn their red stripe. If a student does not take this Pre-Test then they will have to wait until the next scheduled Brown/Black Belt Exam usually held in either February or August of each year.
The Pre-Test will be added to the brown and black belt special trainings, which are also open to all high belts who would like additional training. If a student earns his/her final stripe for brown or black belt and the instructor's belief is that they are ready to "Pre-Test", it will be indicated on their rank sheet as a "Pre-Test invitation". Once they pass this "Pre-Test" then their test sheet will be marked to indicate that the student has received his/her "Pre-Test Red Stripe" and will be invited to test at the next Brown/Black Belt Rank Exam as scheduled (see "Events" on our web page for dates).
Please remember that you will also be responsible for writing a paper that will be due on the day of the test and the Random Acts of Kindness journal which is required for students who are 8-13 years old. Any student who does not bring their required test paper and/or their Random Act of Kindness Journal will not be allowed to test until the next scheduled Brown/Black Belt Rank Exam.
If you have questions please let your instructor know or e-mail us at focusma@mc.net. We are very excited to have you testing for this advanced level of training with Focus and have added
these special trainings to help you attain your goals. We also offer private lessons for any student who feels they could use some additional one on one training with an appropriate instructor (see the front desk for details). Please check the Focus Web page for the current scheduled dates for stripe testing, pre-testing, special trainings and rank testing.
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Rank Promotion Paper Topics
For each of the Black Belt ranks, a paper is required from each student on the day of testing. Below are the topic headings for each rank. Papers should be approximately one page in length and typed whenever possible. If papers are not received on test day then the student will be required to wait until the next rank exam which is usually run every six months in March and September of each year (Check the Events page for the latest schedule and test dates).
Sho-Dan (Black 1):
What have you learned on your journey to Shodan and where will it take you in the future?
Ni-Dan San (Black 2-3):
How have your views in karate and your life changed since you became Shodan? Compare yourself at White Belt rank, Shodan and now. Where will your training take you in the future?
Ni-Dan Ni (Black 2-2):
What are you doing in your life to make a difference in this world and how is your karate helping you?
Ni-Dan (Black 2):
What does Karate mean to you?
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Japanese Terms
( A , B , C , D , E , F , G , H , I , J , K , M , N , O , R , S , T , U , W , Y , Z )
Age Uke – Rising Block
Aka – Red
Ashi – Foot
Ashikubi - Ankle
Ashi Barai – Leg Sweep
Ate – Strike
Awase – Combined
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Bassai – To Penetrate a Fortress, or To Storm a Castle (Dai – major, Sho – minor)
Budo – Martial Way
Bunkai – Application
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Chinte – Chinese Hands or Unusual Hands
Choku Zuki – Straight Punch
Chudan – Middle Level
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Dachi – Stance
Dai – Major (as in Bassai-Dai)
Dan – Level (Degree)
Do – Way
Doji - Simultaneos
Dojo – Training Place (Place of the Way)
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Embusen – Line(s) of movement (in Kata)
Empi – Elbow
Empi Uchi – Elbow Strike
Enpi (or Empi) – Flying Swallow
Enoy – Spirit of getting ready
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Fudo Dachi – Rooted Stance
Fumikomi – Stamping kick
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Gamae – Withdrawing
Gankaku – Crane on a Rock
Gedan – Lower Level
Gedan Barai – Downward block
Geri – Kick
Gi – Training clothes
Gohon Kumite – 5 Attack(step) sparring
Gojushiho – Fifty-four Steps (Dai – major, Sho – minor)
Gyaku – Reverse
Gyaku Hanmi – Reverse half-facing
Gyaku Zuki/Uke – Reverse punch/block
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Hachiji Dachi – Natural Stance
Hai – Yes
Haishu – Back-hand
Hajime – Begin
Haisoku – Instep of foot
Haito – Ridge Hand
Haiwan – Back Arm
Hangetsu Dachi – Half Moon (or Wide Hour Glass) Stance
Hangetsu – Half Moon
Hanmi – Half Front (45 degrees, facing opponent)
Hara – Belly
Heian - Peaceful
Heian Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yondan, Godan – Peaceful Way (The five Heian Kata’s, derived from the Kata Kanku Dai)
Heisoku Dachi – Informal Attention Stance
Hidari – Left
Hikite – Withdrawing Hand
Hikiwake – Draw (in competition)
Hiraken – Fore-knuckle fist (striking with second joint of fingers)
Hiza – Knee
Hiza Geri – Knee Kick
Hombu – Main Dojo
Hyosh - Timing
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Iee Iie – No
Ippon – One
Ippon Ken – One-knuckle Fist
Ippon Kumite – One Attack Sparring
Ippon Nukite – One Finger Spear Hand
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Ji’in – Temple Grounds, or Gardens
Jion – From the Temple of Jion
Jitte – Ten Hands
Jiyu Dachi – Free Stance
Jiyu Ippon Kumite – Semi-free, One-attack Sparring
Jiyu Kumite – Free Sparring
Jodan – Upper Level
Jogai – Out of bounds (in competition)
Juji Uke – X-Block
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Ka – Student
Kage Zuki – Hook Punch
Kaisho – Open Hand (palm)
Kaiten – Rotating
Kakato – Heel
Kakiwake Uke – Wegde Block
Kamaete – Get Ready
Kanku – Look to the Sky (Dai – major, Sho – minor)
Kara – Empty
Karate – Empty Hand
Karateka – One who practices Karate
Kata – Form, or Formal Exercise
Keage – Snap
Kekomi – Thrust
Ken – Fist
Kensei – Technique carried out with silent kiai
Keri – Kick (‘geri’ when added to another word)
Kesa Geri – Diagonal Kick
Ki – Inner Strength
Kiai – Shout
Kiba Dachi – Horse riding Stance
Kihon – Basics
Kime – Focus of Power
Kin Geri – Groin Kick
Kizami Zuki – Jabbing Punch
Kohai – Junior (to oneself)
Kokutsu Dachi – Back Stance
Kosa – Crossing
Kosa Dachi – Cross leg stance
Koshi – Ball of the Foot
Kumade – Bear hand
Kumite – Sparring
Kyu – Grade, or Student
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Ma-ai – Distance
Mae – Front
Mae Geri – Front Kick
Makiwara – Striking Post
Mawashi Geri – Roundhouse Kick
Mawate – Turn
Meikyo – Mirror of the Soul, or Bright Mirror
Migi – Right
Mika Zuki Geri – Crescent Kick
Mokuso – Meditation
Morote – Augmented
Morote Uke – Augmented Block
Moto Dachi – Original Stance
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Nagashi Uke – Sweeping Block
Nakadaka Ippon Ken – Middle Finger One Knuckle Fist
Naore – Return to Yoi
Neko Ashi Dachi – Cat Stance
Nidan Geri – Double Kick
Nihon Nukite – Two-finger Spear Hand
Nijushiho – Twenty-four Steps
Nukite – Spear Hand
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Obi – Belt
Oi Zuki – Stepping Punch (lunge punch)
Osae – Pressing
Osae Uke – Pressing Block
Oss – General term, predominately meaning “Yes, I understand”, also used for “Thank-you”, or “Hello”
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Rei – Bow
Ren Zuki – Combination Punching
Ren Geri – Consecutive Kicks
Ryoken – Both Fists
Ryowan – Both Arms
Ryu – School
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Sanbon Kumite – Three Attack Sparring
Sanbon Zuki – Triple Punch
Sanchin Dachi – (Narrow) Hour Glass Stance
Sashi Ashi – Stepping Over
Seiken – Fore Fist
Seiza – Kneeling Position
Sempai – Senior
Sensei – Teacher
Shihan – Master
Shiro – White
Sho – Minor (as in Bassai-Sho)
Shushin – Referee
Shitei - Designated
Shizentai – Natural, relaxed Stance
Shobu – Competition
Shomen – Front Facing
Shuto – Knife Hand
Shuto Uke – Knife Hand Block
Socin Dachi – Immovable, Straddle-leg Stance
Socin – Preserve Peace, or Strongly Rooted
Soete – Open Palm
Sokumen – Side
Sokuto – Side of Foot
Soto Ude Uke – Outside Forearm Block
Sukui Uke – Scooping Block
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Tai Sabaki – Body Shifting
Taikyoku Shodan – First Cause
Tameshiwara – Test by Breaking
Tate Shuto – Vertical Knife Hand
Tate Zuki – Vertical Punch
Te – Hand
Teiji Dachi – T-Stance
Teisho – Palm Heel
Tekki – Iron Horse, or Iron Knight
Tekki Shodan, Nidan, Sandan – Iron Knight, or Iron Horse (Tekki Katas of 1st, 2nd and 3rd levels)
Tettsui – Bottom Fist
Tettsui Uchi – Bottom Fist Strike
Te Waza – Hand Techniques
Tobi – Jumping
Tokui – Favourite (of one’s own choice)
Tsukami – Grasping
Tsumasaki – Tips (of Fingers or Toes)
Tsuru Ashi Dachi – Crane Leg Stance
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Uchi – Strike
Uchi Ude Uke – Inside Forearm Block
Ude – Forearm
Uke – Block
Unsu – Hands of a Cloud
Ura Zuki – Close-quarter Punch
Uraken – Back Fist
Ushiro Geri – Back Kick
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Wa – Harmony
Wankan – Crown of a King
Waza – Technique
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Yama Zuki – Wide U-Punch
Yame – Stop
Yasume - Rest
Yoi – Ready
Yoko – Side
Yoko Empi – Side Elbow (Strike)
Yoko Geri – Side Kick
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Zanshin – Awareness
Zenkutsu Dachi – Front Stance
Zuki (or Tsuki) – Punch
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Inclement weather procedures for the dojo:
The following procedures will be followed by Focus Martial Arts regarding any inclement weather that may occur during the winter or spring months:
- Any closings will be noted on our phone message at (847) 458-0938 by 3pm the day of the closing
- We will also post it on our web site on the home page at www.focusma.com
- Decisions to cancel afternoon classes will be made by 3pm for the afternoon classes or as soon as
it becomes obvious that we will need to close.
Focus will also post a sign on the front door if someone is at the facility at the time of the closing
General Rule of Thumb for class closings:
if the public schools are closed then so will our facility and classes will be canceled!
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