Weeks 11 to 14
Prepare for Testing
In this stage of your training... you train hard to prepare for your test.
1. Practice and Perform
This marks the period leading to testing and submission of your testing video. It is crucial that you step up the frequency and duration of your training. All videos must be submitted one week before your program’s expiration date. The instructors will need that time to evaluate your submission and post a result.
If possible, try to practice 3 to 4 times a week for an hour or longer. Anything more is always better. Techniques in all parts of the curriculum should be reviewed and running the entire test from start to finish is a great way to prepare. Basics 1, Forms and Combos are all to be taped.
- In Basics 1, we ask that you do five slow execution and five fast executions of each technique. The fast executions should have a kiaai or yell.
- In Forms, we want you to perform the forms, one technique at a time.
- With Combinations, perform them slow five times and then fast five times, remember to yell when going fast.
In general, go at a speed that you can demonstrate form correctly. It is a common mistake to rush and, as a result, do it sloppily. Remember that proper technique, balance, rhythm, speed and power are all areas of criteria we look for in all areas for grading.
As you move towards week 14, you should be able to do most all techniques comfortably. Your form is not expected to be "Black Belt" quality. It is more about effort and attitude. Remember that in mentored group settings you will be performing in groups. It is not expected that you know everything perfectly, but rather that you have a solid fundamental understanding of the material. Certain parts, like the kicking in Basics 1 is usually a little rough at this stage. Again, remember it will take time. Be patient, but persistent in your training. It will improve.
Practice performing for anyone and everyone you can. This is a great way to share with others all the things that you have been learning, while improving your comfort level in performing your techniques. The more you do this, the easier it will get.
2. Remember Sensei's 7 Keys to Success
- Attendance
- Focus
- Effort
- Discipline
- Patience Perseverance
- Positive, “I CAN” attitude
- Perform
3. Video Recording Preparations
NOTE: After you have logged 24 hours of training time, detailed instruction become available in the Tips and Other Information section. Please review that in addition to the information below.
Before you begin recording, please make sure your video camera can record in one of the following formats or that you can convert to one of the following formats:
- MPEG-4 Video File, with file extension .mp4 (Preferred)
- Apple Quicktime Movie, with file extension .mov
- Windows Media File, with file extension.wmv
Depending on your situation, you may want to make other preparations. For example, if you have been training in a small room, you may want to find a larger space for testing. If you have a camera but no nothing to put it on, consider borrowing or buying a tripod.
So, with your own situation in mind, please consider the following tips and reminders while you make your test preparations:
- Please remove all distractions from the testing area, including objects in the way, animals, small children, etc. Anything that might interfere with or distract you from your test.
- Make sure the video camera is steady during filming.
- Record from a single, correct perspective. For Basics 1, face the camera for the entire performance. For forms, start and end each performance, facing the camera. For combos, face to the side so that the camera captures your profile. We do not need to see from any other perspectives.
- Submit only one copy of each performance. For example, if you have several recordings of yourself doing Basics 1, only submit your best performance.
- Do not submit HD videos, as these files are very large.
- Only zoom in to the point where your whole body is shown.
- Keep your entire body video frame for the entire test. This can be a problem when performing your forms, as they move you around the entire room. One suggestion is to have someone else film you, allowing them to follow you with the camera as you move across the room.
- Please consider breaking up the test video into multiple video files. This means that Basics 1, forms and combos would be in separate videos files. You may even want to split each of those into smaller chucks. For example, you might consider splitting your Basics 1 performance into fourths. This also means your can spread the recording of your test over several days.
With these tips in mind, please collect and prep your equipment, space, and whatever else you need in the weeks leading up to your test. Do this as early as possible, as you want your mind free to focus on performance.
Weeks 11 to 14
Goals and Benchmark
Your goal for these four weeks is to become as prepared for your test as possible. More specifically, you should strive to improve your...
- memory of the sets and sequences
- ability to correctly perform the techniques
- understanding of the material
By the end of these four weeks, you should have done the following:
- Become proficient at performing all of your karate
- Logged at least 28 hours in the IMA system
- Prepped the equipment, space and anything else you will need to record your video
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