First UKKFF Grading Seminars, 25th & 26th February 2006
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The first grading seminars held by the UK Kung-Fu Federation took place over
Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th February 2006. As it was our inaugural grading we
were keen to use a new format of testing which aligned with our overall concept of
putting the needs of the student first.
The idea was to give each & every student personal attention, whilst at the same time creating a testing environment rather than a seminar one. The candidates should be constantly working & constantly kept on their toes for the duration of the test, which would be quicker & more intense than previous gradings. This meant we would have to use smaller groups and keep records of each student, checking off their progress for each exercise or application. More paperwork and effort for all the instructors involved, but far, far better for each student as everyone got personal feedback as to their errors & advice on what they could do to improve.
At the Basic Level we
wanted to ease students into this concept, so tests were conducted in grade
groups. Grades 1&2SG only tested from 10am-12pm, then grades 3-4SG only tested
from 12-2pm. Each group ran through form, footwork, striking & applications
with their own instructor whilst the examiner personally checked each student in
turn. Every student felt the pressure of being scrutinised and tested, however
everyone rose to the challenge & performed very well. At the end of each
seminar we added up each students marks and awarded grades accordingly, then of
course a presentation ceremony using our lovely new certificates and a final photo
with the Head Instructor. Well done all.
At the
Intermediate Level we wanted to give much more personal attention, so form &
footwork were tested individually in a separate room, then applications were done
in pairs or small groups. These tests were done at the UKKFF headquarters all day
Saturday, with grades 5-6SG testing between 10am-12pm, then 7-8SG later on between
12pm-2pm. Candidates could use one of our training rooms for practice until they
were called, then there was nowhere to hide whilst their forms were put to the
test. Chi-Sao was tested in pairs too, which surprisingly took the least amount of
time to do. This is because as soon as the examiner touches your arms they can
feel straight away if you can follow & perform the movements. In
testing Forms, the examiner must observe over 200 techniques in succession, but in
testing Chi-Sao it's all about the flow. Either you can move or you can't!
Again all students
felt a jolt as it became apparent that we were seriously looking at what they
could do, but once again all proved equal to the challenge - even those who had to
have a retest afterwards! We believe very strongly that this method of testing
will produce excellent students and a very good training ethic in general classes.
In addition all feedback to date from our intermediates has been full of praise
for the test environment, and many have said they wished they'd been tested this
way from the start.
Then
finally it was the turn of the Advanced Level students, who had all submitted
their required Theory Papers and now each had an individual test with the
Head Instructor to really be put through their paces. Entire chi-sao sections in
fast, free combination, combat-orientated sections, attacks with sticks &
knives, techniques against a stopwatch, and of course all the forms & footwork
to a high standard. It sounds a bit harsh, however these students have been
training Kung-Fu for perhaps 3 or more years, and if they cannot perform the
techniques correctly then they simply would not pass. Merely paying for grades is not acceptable, and we've lowered all test fees as further prevention from this happening. (Click here for our current prices.) Happily
everyone reached the required standard and so we enter the first full term of a
new organisation with a lot of highly motivated & talented students eager to
begin their next programme of instruction. Congratulations to everyone!
- Author: Lee Heron
- Sources: None
