Ranking & Certification

Black Sash

1st Degree Black Sash means you are a
 "Serious Student"

In an effort to guide a student through the progression of learning Tai Chi Chuan, we have developed the following Ranking & Certification Criteria.  This is a general guideline and can be adjusted by Chief Instructor in order to take all of the necessary considerations when evaluating a students level. 

In keeping with the spirit of ranking with out making it partial, unfair, or unclear, China Hand Kung Fu Academy has adopted the following policy:

• There is only one test that is required, Basic Level for any group class. The reason for this is to make sure the student has obtained the foundation of the system before they can move on to more advanced teachings.  This is critical for advancement in all styles.  

• When student feels they have met the requirements of the level they are teaching, they will ask for the Instructors input and advice.  This will lead to review, pre-testing, and testing.  

• No student will be allowed to test if the instructor doesn't think the student is prepared and ready. 

• The student will be expected to know all of the material required.  The material has to be performed based on the experience level of the student. 

• As a student progresses, it is expected your basic and lower level material has improved along with your detail, understanding and overall performance of the forms.  

• All students will be judged against themselves. 

Testing Criteria

Below find a detailed description of what is judged when a student is testing. 

Major error will be assessed upon each occurrence of the following

• Wrong Stance:  Substitution of one stance for another or a Gross mis-alignment of feet.

• Wrong Order:  Deleting or mixing movements so that the order of movements are changed

• Attitude:  Overt displays of overconfidence or disrespect for weapons, horseplay, disrespect to judges, or anything else which may be judged to be a serious attitude problem.

• Wrong Hand Movement:  Hand movements which are invented on the spot and bear no relationship to actual movement.

• Wrong Opening Remarks:  Not knowing the name of the form.

If any of the following occurs repeatedly, they will be judged as a single major error rather than an accumulation.

Minor errors will be assessed for each occurrence of the following:

• Detail Errors:  Horizontal for vertical punch, using toes instead of heel

• Slurring:  Non separation of movements, movements not defined

• Body Posture:  Curved back, leaning in tigers, etc...

• Timing:  Hand and foot movements out of sync except where required.

• Speed Changes:  Changing tempo of form except where required

• Weapon Guarding:  Too much emphasis on weapon, forgetting to use correct hand formation with the weaponless hand

• Exaggerated Feeling:  Movements which are either exaggerated or are under emphasized, i.e., too expansive or contracted, wrong apparent feeling.

Each student is permitted to attempt any one form two times. Each attempt must begin from the opening movement of the form

Immediate failure occurs when

• Student stops for the second time.
• Student endangers the safety of others
• All judges decided to stop testing
• Student quits or refuses to do form
• Weapon forms are conducted at intermediate and advanced level and above.
• All testing is based on merit. Students may advance at the discretion of the instructor based on the length of study and effort applied.
• All students wishing to advance from Elementary/Basic classes must test to be part of the Intermediate/Advanced class. 

Certification Of Rank

Congratulations to all those who have worked so hard to gain this recognition!