Action list for the 2025 Black Belt Testing Review
What area did you think the candidates looked strongest in?
Kata was strong as usual
In my group (except for one) the candidates took the test very seriously and worked very hard. They also knew all the material and on that could, they were well prepared. I expect that from adults, but it's still nice to see.
Most candidates looked extremely focused, disciplined, and followed directions very well. While individual katas varied in their execution, the consistency of training across the butokukai schools was apparent.
Kata sequence, kumites, seisan bunkai
I believe the candidates look the strongest in KATA compared to the test as a whole.
Sanchin and Advanced Kata
Kata
I thought the katas have improved over the years now if we can just work on the kumite and bonkai:)
Kata
Bonkai
Kata
I felt the kata's look the strongest, though need work; while the other parts of the test appeared a little weaker (see comments below).
the katas were remarkably better this time compared to the first preview day. The group showed as a whole a lot of hard work.
Overall, all candidates were motivated, enthusiastic, and brought energy to the test. Kata were good overall.
What area would you like to see the candidates get stronger at?
Kumite and Bunkai, Although much better this go around, still should be a focus point
There were several general areas that need improvement: 1) Stance -- I didn't see that many good san chin stances. 2) Circle blocks -- I will discuss this point below. 3) Distancing during kumite -- I will also discuss this point below.
Candidates need to get stronger at recovering from mistakes in their katas, especially during a test. My group was very young and getting flustered at mistakes was understandable but knowing how to recover is a critical skill.
Confidence in performing kata, understanding of each movement in katas
I personally like the testing to take place in a dojo and not in a commercial setting. I believe the dojo setting with smaller groups is more authentic and personal.The candidates need more work on the following. HOJO UNDO and two person drills
Seisan Bunkai (see below) and to some degree Conditioning. Candidates can benefit from better understanding of conditioning with how it applies to Sanchin and therefore all areas.
Kumite & bunkai
I would like to see more professionalism. Sleeves rolled down more energy overall higher standard on not only there abilities but of there presentation.
I think kata is the most important aspect of the Black Belt test so I am happy.
Kumite and Bunkai
Stronger (not so much in actually strength, but more never hurts), but stronger in attention to details. Kata's and so forth tend to look a little to loose. Finish all teckniques while performing each technique to the very best of their ability. Try not to cut conners for the sake of speed. Learn to be in controll of your opponent before delivering a strike. They tend to rush the strike in order to prepare to receive the next strike coming in.
the typical struggles with junior black belts - hojo undo (even though some of the problem was that they didn't seem to know what exercise was being asked for) and kumites.
Kumite and bunkai. Timing, distance, and accuracy of movements need to be improved upon.
What part of the testing process would you like to see improved?
I thought this test was really good. But as always in a big room. The overall communication. Can everyone hear clearly? Again, I thought this was much Improved.
I thought the day went very will overall. I have two comments: 1) less standing around time please. 2) If possible either provide food for the panels or at least options -- there was not enough time and not really much to be had anyway. And if either is not possible, please let the panel members know before test day.
The testing process was properly focused to the rank and skill set of the candidates. The audio quality was much improved and clear to the judges and candidates. Not much to improve in this area.
The space , although large enough for full testing, was overly large and noisy, making it very difficult to hear instructions. Also the concrete floors were uncomfortable to perform on. Would prefer wood floors and space with better acoustics
I would like to see individual KATA and two person drills performed. I feel that multiple individuals and groups performing at the same time take away from what could be perceived as just rushing the test and getting through it.
Seisan Bunkai - most appeared to be copying learned steps vs understanding how the technique applies
The process was good
I know because of the event after the venue was necessary, but I think testing should be at a dojo.
I was very impressed with the testing process especially considering that this was a new venue. We knew that we would have problems with the acoustics and dealt with them the best we could.
"All testing board members paying attention to the candidates and not catching up on personal chat.
Most board members did. "
for kumite's and bonkai's have one set of candidate's out there at a time.
I know we had to double up on Kata's, Bonki, Kumite, and so forth because there were so many canadates. I found this very difficult to judge. It was especially difficult to see the group that was in the back on the Bonki and Kumite. Even the side by side Kata's for "me" was disconcerting. I feel I did a disservice to the candiates because I couldn' give each my full attention. I hope we go back now to one on one judging. Those testing for dan ranks deserve that kind of attention. Also, judges need to know in advance if there is any "challenge" a candiate is facing that might affect his or her performace. For example, I made a judgement on a candiate without knowing all the circumstances involved.
"while it was a nice idea to have everyone do hojo undo at the same time, the audio system was unintelligible and the candidates were never sure what they should be doing.
would really like to see individual sanchin katas. Our group definitely had more than enough time to do this"
Overall, very smooth, well done.
Any other thoughts would you like to share?
Maybe make the big Review a little later in the year April or May so the weather will probably not be a factor
I will use the circle blocks and distancing that I mentioned above to discuss dan kumite. This following pattern was present in almost all kumites I watched, and as an example of this pattern, let's take number 1: Attacker throws a nice punch and immediately yanks their arm back. Ok, I guess -- for a trained person this is good practice so as not to get grabbed and controlled. But the attacker never got close -- the punch landed 1-2 feet away. So generally the defender can't practice a decent block and even if they do get a hand on the arm before it's pulled away, there is zero chance for a grab and control move (to they can take the attacker's balance away and counter strike). What I saw was very limited post-punch contact, huge distances, and zero control. While this is a great strategy for point sparring, it doesn't help the defender learn how to defend.
I particularly enjoyed the diversity of rank and experience in my particular panel. It was great to share different perspectives and assessments of the candidates performance.
Overall I couldn't be more proud of being associated with such a strong group of Karate Ka and senior students. From the top to the bottom I believe we have the best of the best! However as we grow and strengthen I would like to see us try to keep the testing process more personal and with the best integrity that we can format. Having large groups of events for Uechi Con and tournaments is fantastic and I think that says a lot about the size of our association in the fact that we have so many people that want to train with us. However, testing I believe should be kept more personal and on a smaller scale.
Thought physical set up was great and well run. Enthusiasm was high with the candidates and those in our group came prepared and excited to test.
I think that all the events are well run and overall successful! Congratulations Marcus and your team!!
The changing areas were kind of crowded. Marcus and his crew came through above and beyond expectations.
A significant help that made the testing run smoothly was having a helper for each two groups keep the people who were being tested organized.
on the candidates page any individual notes/awareness from their sensei.
Given the magnitude of the event I expected the quaility of the candidates to be higher. Maybe it's less a reflection on the quality of the candidates and more on setting my expectations too high. I don't know. By quality I mean such things as the teckniques being more tecknically "cvrrect" when excuted. Also, demonstrating a knowledge of where the strikes are going by actually placing the strikes there. Many fell short of targets. Attack punches in Kumite falling short as well and defenders preparing for the next attack long before the attack gets there. I would like to see more emphasis on "pace" in the kata's of the 4th and up dans (balance between hard and soft). All very strong, but that' only one side of the coin. Thank you for allowing me to be part of this wonderful experience. Overall, it was very impressive and exciting. Good Job Marcus!!!
the floor was cold, dirty and hard and there were quite a few people who had issues. I would definitely encourage everyone to have some sort of secure footwear on. Thanks for everything as always, glad to be a part of this.