Black Belt Curriculum

As Black Belts, it's up to us to be responsible for our learning.  That's why the Black Belt Only curriculum is here on the website.  It won't be taught as part of class.

You WILL NOT be taught this information in class, but you can ask questions if you have them. 

You will be belt tested on this material both at pretests and the final test.

For information on testing for higher degree, please read the Black Belt Bootcamp booklet or read below.

AGE LIMITS

Jr. Black Belt: Candidates must be a minimum of 10 years old.

1st Degree Black Belt: Candidates must be a minimum of 12 years old.

Young candidates approaching this rank must be members of teen or adult classes for over one year.  Jr. Black Belts must have one black Cycle Test stripe minimum on their belt before being considered for first degree (signifying a minimum of two years of consistent training as a Jr. Black Belt).

 
HIGHER DEGREE

To be considered for higher degree (second degree+), consistent training is the minimal requirement.  A candidate must hold the minimum Cycle Test stripes to be considered.  Other factors include role-modelhood, upholding the black belt standard, learning black belt only material, attending Black Belt only classes, judging for black belt tests, etc.

2nd Degree Black Belt: Candidates must be a minimum of 15 years old.

Before being considered for second degree, a candidate must have one black Cycle Test stripe on their belt before being considered for second degree (signifying a minimum of two years of consistent training at first degree).

3rd Degree Black Belt: Candidates must be a minimum of 18 years old.

Before being considered for third degree, a candidate must have one black Cycle Test stripe and one blue Cycle Test Stripe minimum on their belt before being considered for third degree (signifying a minimum of three years consistent training at second degree). *

4th Degree Black Belt: Candidates must be a minimum of 21 years old.

Before being considered for fourth degree, a candidate must have a minimum of two black Cycle Test stripes minimum on their belt before being considered for fourth degree (signifying a minimum of four years consistent training at third degree).*

5th Degree Black Belt & Higher: See Coach McShane for requirements.*

*If candidate owns a school and does not have access to regular classes, consideration will be made.

What are Cycle Test Stripes?  Once you earn your black belt, you continue training and testing each quarter (cycle).  On completion of your first cycle test, you receive a yellow stripe above your degree stripe (if you have one). This is a Cycle Test Stripe. On completion of your second cycle test, an orange stripe replaces the previous yellow stripe.  In this way, you climb the belt order again, this time being awarded with stripes. 

The order of stripes follows the order of the belts.  After Black Belt:

First Cycle, 3 Months = Yellow Stripe

Second Cycle, 6 Months = Orange Stripe

Third Cycle, 9 Months = Purple Stripe

Fourth Cycle, 1 Year = Blue Stripe

Fifth Cycle, 1 Year & 3 Months = Green Stripe

Sixth Cycle, 1 Year & 6 Months = Brown Stripe

Seventh Cycle, 1 Year & 9 Months = Red Stripe

Eighth Cycle, 2 Years = Black Stripe

Once you earn the black Cycle Test stripe (signifying two years active training), it stays on your belt.  At the next cycle test, a yellow stripe will be placed beside the black one, and it starts over.