Aikido Yoshinkan Yoseikai Test Protocol
Revised: 10/3/2004
Testing for advancement in rank is an exciting and tense time for everyone, regardless of rank. Relax, train regularly, and testing time will be less anxious. The following points will help alleviate last-minute confusion at the time of your test and aid in achieving a relaxed and calm mind.
EXAMINERS: If the exam is being administered by Parker Sensei, then the following protocol will be used. Otherwise, the dojocho or examining instructor will take the position of Sensei, as listed below. If no other instructor is available, the examiner will either call the test him/herself or designate another person to do so.
- Parker Sensei/examiner will be positioned in front of
shomen or in front of the class, depending on which direction in the dojo the
exam will be taking place.
- The dojocho, or instructor who is calling the test,
will be to Parker Sensei’s “left”, close to or at the edge of the mat. This
will be determined by the dojo layout.
- The dojocho will call the exam as presented to him/her or based on the
shinsa syllabus.
CANDIDATES FOR ADVANCEMENT:
- Arrive early, to warm up and loosen up.
- Wear a clean dogi.
- When your name is called, bow, answer with a loud hai
or osu and run to your correct testing place.
- When you run to your testing position, try to balance that position in
relation to Sensei, your partner, and the size of the room. If only two people
are testing, arrange yourselves as shown in the diagram below:
- If there are several pairs of people testing, arrange
yourselves as shown in the diagram below
- It is very important that you call each person up in order. First call up
the student testing, then his/her uke. For example, in the diagram below,
positions 1, 3 and 5 would be shite and positions 2, 4 and 6 would be
uke.
Stand calmly and correctly (heels together, arms at your side) and wait
for the call to bow. The command to bow to Sensei will be done by the person in
position #1. Command: Sensei Ni Rei
The following are the command to be called by the dojocho/instructor calling
the exam:
Ichi Ni Tsuite: Move to your designated spots and face your
partner. This should be arranged prior to exam. Otagaini Rei: Bow to your
partner.
Notes:
- Do not say osu or bow again during the test. - Wait for the instructions
from the person calling the test. - During the exam, remain in kamae at all
times between techniques. - You should not adjust your dogi without being
told to do so by Sensei.
After the last technique, remain in kamae. The following commands will then
be called.
Kamae naoru: Move back from kamae to attention position
Otagaini Rei: Bow to your partner Modoru no
ichi: Return to your starting spot and face Sensei Sensei
ni Rei: Called by person in position #1 Taijo: Run
back to your position in line. Kneel, and pay attention to the next exam or
instructions.
General format for a test:
All exams will start with kihon dosa. Generally, you will do Tai No Henko and
Hiriki No Yosei at the beginning of the exam and Shumatsu dosa at the end. Kihon
dosa is done as follows:
- 10 ~ 9 kyu -- all dosa are done without a partner on
one side only.
- 8 ~ 6 kyu -- kihon is done without a partner.
Techniques are done both right and left.
- 5 kyu -- kihon dosa and kihon waza are done with a
partner both right and left.
- 4 kyu -- kihon dosa and kihon waza are done with a
partner both right and left.
- 3 ~ 1 kyu and yudan – kihon dosa and kihon waza done with partner both
right and left side. Refer to general syllabus for order.
If taking the exam with other student’s, harmonize your movement with them
and try to stay together until the command of YAME. Stay in kamae with your
focus in front of you. Wait for next command/technique. Techniques will be done
on both right and the left sides. All Ichi techniques start in Migi hanmi and
all Ni techniques start in Hidari hanmi. At the end of each technique, quickly
return to kamae. Be sure to KIAI with each atemi.
How to move to and from
Migi and Hidari hanmi:
First, remember to maintain proper MAAI (distance).
You should have at least one tatami/mat length between you and your partner. All
Ichi techniques will be done in Ai Hanmi (same stance). All Ni techniques start
in Hidari gyaku hanmi (opposing left stance). The command sequence is as
follows:
1. Start in migi ai hanmi kamae 2. Examiner gives
name of technique. Once you hear ichi/ni, you immediately close the distance.
EX: Katate mochi, shihonage ICHI (move
forward) 3. Hajime (uke attacks) 4. After the
technique is done, return to migi hanmi. Examiner will say
“Onajiku”. Move forward into Hidari ai hanmi
5. Hajime (uke attacks) 6. Return to Migi ai
hanmi 7. If more than one person is taking their exam, the
Examiner will call “Shite Uke Kotai” (shite and uke
switch roles) Name of technique is given
again. Remember to close distance on Ichi or Ni command.
Same procedure as above 8.
Return to Migi ai hanmi. Second technique of series will then be called.
EX: Katate mochi shihonage
NI
i. Shite moves forward to Hidari
hanmi
ii. Uke shuffles forward and remains in Migi
hanmi. You are now in Hidari gyaku hanmi (Opposing left
stance) 9. Hajime (begin technique). At the end of the technique,
return to Migi ai hanmi. 10. Onajiku (shite moves forward and remains in
Migi hanmi. Uke moves forward to Hidari hanmi.) You are now in Migi gyaku hanmi
(Opposing “RIGHT” stance) 11. At the end of
technique, return to Migi hanmi. 12. Shite Uke Kotai 13. Follow same
procedure for next technique
Note:
On “most” shomen uchi techniques, shite will attack on Ichi and uke will
attack on Ni. Unless otherwise told, this is how the exam will be done.
Incorporating this test protocol for all levels will ensure a smooth exam. Be
sure to review this with your students often. This is the testing protocol used
by Parker Sensei and the Seiseikai. When in doubt, check with Parker Sensei well
in advance.
Prepared by: Steven Miranda Approved by: Amos Parker
Shihan
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