The Basic Program consists of the white, orange and yellow belts.
Each testing cycle is 6-8 weeks long. Each student will learn a belt curriculum during each cycle. A belt curriculum is composed of a form, and a sparring one-step. A form is a simulated fight without an opponent. It is a set of moves performed in a specific order that must be memorized. A sparring one-step is a defensive technique followed by two or three offensive techniques. At the junior level, students learn two sparring one-step. At the adult level, students will learn three sparring one-steps. Again, these techniques need to be memorized.
Always assume that a student is on schedule to graduate unless advised otherwise by an instructor.
In order for a student to be eligible for graduation, they need to earn three merit stripes. The merit stripes are red, white, and blue.
Red stripe: The red stripe is earned when a student has memorized their form.
White stripe: The white stripe is awarded when the student has memorized their sparring one-steps.
Blue stripe: The blue stripe is best described as the “testing ready stripe”. When a student has demonstrated all their material at a high quality level, they can receive their blue stripe. Juniors must also turn in their homework sheet that is handed out after they receive their red stripe. All homework sheets should be turned in a week or two before graduation.
