A note by Master Kongling – I have never loved exams, evaluations, etc. but over time I have understood that they are a moment of systematization of knowledge and skills.
What is a martial arts examination?
The exams for graduation are special moments:
Of study and deepening
Of personal growth
Of optimization of the technique and attention to detail
To put ourselves to a personal test
To systematize knowledge and fill our gaps
Useful to understand our level of preparation
That can be seen as the culmination of our commitment
An opportunity to prove ourselves to be better than others
The acquiring of a title
A way to be feared by others
…
A note by Master Kongling – Being a black belt does not mean stupid things like “I have reached the top of the pyramid”, “I have nothing more to learn”, “I am invincible” (etc.): all of this is ridiculous. A black belt means being at the basic level to represent the school, nothing more, nothing less. It is the moment when the true martial path starts (read When a belt becomes a blindfold). If you think that the belt and / or the diploma represents the end or the goal of a martial journey, I suggest you carefully think about the type of practitioner you intend to become (read Why martial arts do not work: 5 reasons). A belt is only a belt (you can buy it for a few bucks everywhere): it is the symbol that it represents that you cannot buy (a lifelong daily discipline, preparation, concentration).
6 Dragons Kung Fu exams
After this necessary premise, in 6 Dragons Kung Fu we offer the possibility of online exams: let’s see how they work.
The technical part:
Transmission – They can be live (through video call, better) or through a unique remote video (without interruptions and privately uploaded)
Duration – The exam has a duration of 30-60 minutes (depending on the situation)
Device and connection – A good webcam / camera and a good connection are mandatory (the exam will be recorded)
Video settings – The shot must fully include the body and the movements to be made; the resolution must be good (enough to see even what fingers are doing)
Languages – The exam can be in Italian or English language
Minors – For minors, the authorization of an adult is required (write to [email protected])
How they work:
Equipment – Before the exam begins the practitioner must wear the correct uniform and all the necessary exam-involved equipment with him / her (read The basic equipment for training in 6DKF)
Prepare the body – The practitioner must correctly warm up and stretch before the exam begins (read Basic soft stretching and Basic warm-up)
The theoretical part – In the theoretical part, the practitioner is questioned about notions, understanding, etc.
The practical part – In the practical part, the practitioner is asked to perform exercises, techniques, etc.
A partner – For the technical part, the practitioner must have at least one partner (depending on what must be done)
A note by Master Kongling – Naturally all the details of what equipment, partners, etc. are needed will be discussed in detail the days before the evaluation.
Evaluation method:
Rating – At each question / practical test of the exam, corresponds a rating from 0 to 100
The final result – The average grade of each stage gives the final grade
How to pass the exam – If the grade is greater than or equal to 60, the exam can be considered passed
Martiality – A special vote is also given to the level of martiality (composure, seriousness, precision, concentration, etc.)
Quality level request – The severity of the assessment is proportional to the level for which the student wishes to present himself / herself (the higher it is, the fewer errors are accepted, the first exams are very simple)
Claims or demerits – Each request by the examiner may result in claims or demerits, which define the vote of each phase
The communication of the final result – The result of the examination will be announced the month following its finalization
What is released:
The belt – A belt (in relation to the level, charged to the applicant)
The diploma – A printable paper diploma (authenticated by the school and the master)
An official recognition – The inclusion in the list of graduates (as evidence of the truthfulness of the degree achieved)
A note by Master Kongling – To know if a specific person has truly graduated from our school, please write to [email protected] (this is valid for students, instructors, etc.).
How to ask for the exam:
Contact us – It is necessary to apply to the school by email ([email protected])
Materials of study – It is necessary to possess the study material (eventual video courses, etc.)
Equipment – It is necessary to possess the involved equipment (uniform, training weapons, etc.)
Program of the exam – When the school agrees, the exam program is communicated (and all the other details)
Cost – The cost of the exam is 75 €, if not passed it can be repeated (at a reduced price) after 2 months
A note by Master Kongling – The program for the exam is not the course, it is only the list of topics to be prepared on.
Final notes
A few important details:
We do not impose temporal distance limits between one exam and another (if a practitioner possesses all the requirements we will certainly not slow down his / her growth for commercial or formal reasons)
It is the student’s responsibility to divide time and preparation (normally, if we have not practiced for many years, it is almost impossible to pass more exams in a short period of time)
Each exam is very serious and is evaluated in a very restrictive way (proportional to the level); please, do not take part if you do not feel prepared (we will discuss this together, we are here to help); it may be reasonable to send a short demonstration video in advance (we will tell you if you are ready or not)
If you have more questions, ask in the comments or write to [email protected]
The most important 6 Dragons Kung Fu’s (specific) exercises After seeing the compositional elements of most of the martial arts’ training (read How to train in 6DKF: basic exercises) we pass to the categories of exercises specifically related to 6 Dragons Kung Fu (with or without weapons, with or without obstacles / variants). In 6DKF […]
All our Kung Fu mini-guides This is the updated index of all the Kung Fu (and martial arts) guides that we offer for free (divided by topic). Note – This article has been asked by one of our Core Course practitioners on Patreon (see how to attend our home study classes here Learn Kung Fu online: […]
What changes from a real fight to a sporting one? No matter what kind of training the contenders did, a real fight does not look like: Note – This article has been asked by one of our Core Course practitioners on Patreon (see how to attend our home study classes here Learn Kung Fu online: a […]
How Kung Fu can transform us into a totally new person: the mental changes In terms of Kung Fu practice, we have already seen 10 changes that happen at a physical level (read Practicing Kung Fu: 10 changes (physical)), let’s now explore some of the mental ones. Note – This article has been asked by […]
What is a weighted vest? A weighted vest is substantially a set of weights (often customizable) that is worn as if it were a jacket. Note – This article has been asked by one of our Core Course practitioners on Patreon (see how to attend our home study classes here Learn Kung Fu online: a beginner-to-expert […]
What is trapping in martial arts and what is it for? Trapping is a type of interaction widely used in Wing Chun (under the name Phon Sao, read The basic Wing Chun techniques [MINI-GUIDE]) and in Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do (read The basic Jeet Kune Do techniques [MINI-GUIDE]): Note – This article has been […]
Martial arts fast tips: defensive footwork, move smart and stay safe You have to learn to master balance and footwork to evade attacks effectively. Pivot, shuffle and angle yourself to control the fight’s rhythm.
Martial arts fast tips: exploit timing to strike You have to learn to anticipate opponents’ moves and counter swiftly. How? Learn to recognize the openings to turn their attacks into opportunities for your own strike.
Martial arts fast tips: energy efficiency, preserve and dominate If you don’t train every day for several hours, don’t waste even the minimum energy on unnecessary movements. Use your resources efficiently, for useful strikes and a lasting defense: let fatigue the adversar.
Martial arts fast tips: basic ground fighting techniques, a secret treasure Learn the basic submission holds and escapes. Against a normal person, even if you are not an expert, grappling skills will give you an overwhelming advantage on the ground.
