Try these 10 things when you are preparing for your next Grading

– by Tracy Warrener

Try these 10 things when you are preparing for your next Grading

Nothing can be more nerve racking to a Martial Artist than knowing that you are grading for your next belt. Whether it is a first grading or for your black belt grading, the feeling is the same. There are some things you can do and remember to help prepare you for your grading that will help.

  1. Know exactly what is required of you to know in order to grade. This means, what basics, katas, self defence techniques, sparring and any other things needed that you will be asked to perform. For Kyu belts(all belts under black), most students have criteria that need to be met and in some cases this includes some philosophy and historical facts about your art that you study. When grading for Black Belt and any Dan (degrees after the first degree), there is usually a written component and sporting resume that may be required as well as the technical stuff. Know every detail of what is needed from you
  2. If you have been given notice far in advance of the grading date, make sure you step your game up in your training, Do not miss any classes and take extra ones to help review your techniques.
  3. Ask your Sensei and senior students of your dojo for any pointers or suggestions that they can give you that will help you perform at your best during your grading.
  4. Set up to take some private lessons at your dojo from your Sensei or senior belt. Private lessons are a great way to help figure out where your strengths and weaknesses are. This also gives you the opportunity to work out any weakness and help you to gain confidence in areas you need.

  5. Work on your endurance. Training cardio is a great way to help stay in shape and prepare for your grading. If timed sparring is part of your grading, then make sure you train the required time limit PRIOR to your grading so you know you have done it.
  6. Practice you katas (forms, patterns) all back to back from lowest to highest. This is usually asked of you during a grading. It is a great way to train memory of movements, as well as endurance.
  7. Grab fellow students that may be grading with you and practice in front of each other. Give positive feedback and help each other in any way you can.
  8. Prepare your Uniform, making sure it is freshly washed, ironed, all crests/badges are sewn on properly. Make sure all of your safety gear is in good working condition and that you have all required pieces needed. If weapons are part of your grading requirement, make sure you have the weapon that is needed and that it too is good working order

  9. The day before your grading do not practice too much. Take this as a day of rest. Be confident that all your preparation up to this point will see you through your grading. Prepare your mind too. Stay calm and be confident in your ability. YOU GOT THIS!
  10. On grading day make sure you eat healthy, not too much and stay hydrated during grading. Show up to grading at least 1 hour early to grading. This gives you time to register, change and stretch and warm yourself up for your grading. Remember do your best. Everyone running the grading knows exactly what you are going thru and have been there themselves. So relax and enjoy the process. This is your time to shine and demonstrate all you can do.

Remember belt gradings are an important part of your martial arts training. Rank serves as a guide to see our progress. However, its the small victories along the way that count the most. Things like overcoming nerves, pushing past physical and mental barriers, learning and perfecting a new technique, developing a winning attitude and perfection of character that is what counts the most. Enjoy the journey and Good Luck!

Tracy Warrener has been fortunate to have been raised within the Martial Arts since the age of 4 years old and is a 4th Degree Black Belt in Goju Ryu Karate. She has had the opportunity to study with some amazing Martial Artists. Sensei Richard Kim, Sensei Peter Urban, Professor Don Jacob, Sensei Jim Wilson, Professor Wally Jay, just to name several. Of course her main Sensei is her father, Sensei Don Warrener. Throughout the 40 plus years of her involvement in the Martial Arts, she has worked her way from being a student of the martial arts to a Martial Arts Sensei ,teaching hundreds of students. She has ran and managed martial arts schools teaching students of all ages, worked within the community teaching at fitness centres, schools, businesses and Women’s Shelters, the benefits of Karate. One the causes close to her heart is teaching and empowering young girls and women the importance of self defence and awareness. Her program called Look Strong! Act Strong! Be Strong! focuses on easy self defence techniques and mind self defence techniques. In 2013 she was awarded The Silver Lifetime Achievement Award in the Masters of the Martial Arts Hall of Fame in California for her contribution to Women in the Martial Arts. She is also a Certified Reflexologist and Reiki Master. She has starred in three of her own DVDs produced by Rising Sun Productions on Reiki, Reflexology and her Look Strong ,Act Strong ,Be Strong Self Defence Program. tracy.warrenerentertainment@gmail.com

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