Here you will find various information about the Ji Grade Promotion test intervals from 10th Ji (White Belt) to 1st Ji (Red Belt).
Regular weekly attendance, effort shown during class practice and instructors permission is all required before a candidate can be allowed to test.
Students must aim to train weekly and on a regular basis. Students will benefit if they aim to train at least twice a week. This will help maintain flexibility and mobility. You must put effort and determination in to every training class you attend.
There are two principle areas of assessment in the Ren Yi Wu Kwan Grade promotion scheme: social maturity and the actual practical test on the day of the grading examination.
Area 1 - Social Maturity
This is the first element in the Ji Grade promotion examination. Its criteria must be satisfied before candidates are admitted to the promotion proper.
Ji grades mark the first steps in learning Ren Yi Wu Kwan Tang Sou and there is no age requirement. Skill in performance can be measured on the day of the grading whereas maturity in the application of Tang Sou Dao principles can only be assessed over a period of time by the candidates instructor.
The importance of this assessment cannot be over-emphasized!! Indeed, the good name of the Ren Yi Wu Kwan depends upon the implementation of this first principal area of assessment. The instructor will therefore assess the student not merely for technical performance but also for such elements as:
The purpose of this part of the syllabus is to help both instructors and students understand the area of assessment for each Grade promotion and for the Grading Examiner to reliably and fully assess each candidate.
No candidate will be submitted for promotion unless s/he has fully satisfied the instructor that s/he has earned the opportunity.
The Practical test requirements can be found in your larger blue grading syllabus books that you received when joining the Ren Yi Wu Kwan Tang Sou Dao Federation.
If your instructor thinks you are ready for a grading examination and you have satisfied all of the above requirements, s/he will pre-test you in class. If your instructor thinks you are ready s/he will hand you a grading form. This is to be filled in and handed in on the day of the grading examination. Students will not be allowed to grade without prior permission from his/her instructor.
Below is a table of lesson guidelines between each Ji Grading. This serves only as a guideline.
| RANK | BELT | UNIFORM | PERIOD (Average number of lessons) |
| 10th Ji | White Belt | White | - |
| 9th Ji | White Belt with Yellow Stripe | White | 15 - 25 |
| 8th Ji | Yellow Belt | White | 15 - 25 |
| 7th Ji | Yellow Belt with Orange Stripe | White | 15 - 25 |
| 6thJi | Orange Belt | White | 20 - 30 |
| 5th Ji | Orange Belt with Green Stripe | White | 20 - 30 |
| 4th Ji | Green Belt | White | 20 - 30 |
| 3rd Ji | Green Belt with Blue Stripe | White | 40 - 50 |
| 2nd Ji | Blue Belt | White | 40 - 50 |
| 1st Ji | Red Belt | White with Red Lapel | 60 - 70 |
New Members who have trained in other schools and other forms of martial art all begin the Ren Yi Wu Kwan as 10th Ji, White Belt. However, when they are allowed to grade, the instructor may recommend them to the grading examiner at a grade s/he reflects their standard.
After the Ji grades is the Duan grade syllabus. A full copy of this is available from HQ on reaching 1st Ji Red Belt.
Grade Promotion Generally
Like most things, more effort and time you put into training, the better the results will be. Students should aim to train at least twice a week. Try to get into a routine, and regular training will see improvements within a few months. A student is expected to achieve more complex techniques with each grading. Each grading requires a student to learn a different form (Basic and Yi Chuen forms for Ji grades, Luohan and slow kicking forms for Duan grades). Power kicking is tested, and with each grade, a student is expected to execute a different kick on a break board. As the grades progress, more complicated forms of sparring, self-defence, slow kicking and stance endurance are also tested.
All students will progress within the Academy at their own pace, and grade when their instructor believes they are ready. Progression in the art reflects your own technical abilities and mental focus. No two students will therefore necessarily progress at the same rate. Do not be disheartened if you progress slower than someone else, all students experience peaks and troughs at different stages. In any case, the harder a goal is to achieve, the greater the sense of satisfaction. Ultimately, training is for your own personal self-development.
You should never ask your instructor to grade. He/she will let you know when you are at the required stage for grading promotion.
The higher grade obtained, the more terminology is required. You can find this in your membership book.
Ji Grade Promotion Beginners Level
At this stage stances should be reasonably defined, and allow for better balance, speed and correct use of hip power. Intermediate Level 1 students may be required to demonstrate more complex hand techniques such as heel blocks, heel strikes, vertical punches, knife fist strike, back fist strike, elbow strikes and spear hand strikes. Intermediate Level 1 students will also be expected to know the kicks outlined below, as well as the outside to inside crescent kick Wai Kou Ti, front and round house knee kicks.
Impact Testing
7th Ji-6th Ji: Outside to inside drop kick Wai Chuai Ti
6th Ji- 5th Ji: Inside to outside drop kick Nei Chuai Ti
5th Ji-4th Ji: Jump Front thrust kick Thiau Chien Chuai Ti
Forms
7th Ji- 6th Ji: Yi Chuen Ee Thau
6th Ji- 5th Ji: Yi Chuen Er Thau
5th Ji-4th Ji: Yi Chuen San Thau
General Knowledge
Intermediate Level 1 students will have a basic understanding of eye focus, use of stances, speed, power, balance and mental concentration. They should know the Chinese Terminology for their techniques. They should also demonstrate a reasonable level of ability and control in their free sparring.
Ji Grade Promotion Intermediate Level 2
At this stage, candidates should be flexible enough to use stances correctly, including the Advanced Forward Stance Pa Chan Ma. They should also be able to use stances in conjunction with evasion involving the Eight Cardinal Points of movement, distance, line and timing. They should have a basic knowledge of self defence.
Intermediate Level 2 students may be required to perform complex blocking and concurrent hand techniques including low section forearm reverse block, wing hand block and the mirror hand. They should be able to execute short range techniques such as reverse knife hand groin strike, downward elbow strike, rear elbow strike, short range back fist and knife fist strikes. In addition to the kicks outlined below, Intermediate Level 2 students should be able to perform stomp kick, spinning back kick, inside out outside crescent kick and sweep kicks.
Impact Testing
4th Ji- 3rd Ji: Back Thrust Kick Hou Chuai Ti
3rd Ji-2nd Ji: Jump Side Thrust Kick Thiau Cher Chuai Ti
2nd Ji-2st Ji: Jump Round House Kick Thiau Chuan Ti
Forms
4th Ji- 3rd Ji: Yi Chuen Ser Thau
3rd Ji- 2nd Ji: Yi Chuen Wu Thau
2nd Ji- 1st Ji: Revision of all previous forms including Kicking Form One Ee Cheang Ti Thau
General Knowledge
Intermediate Level 2 students are expected to have a basic knowledge of training safety and understand the rules of the Wu Kwan. They should take some responsibility for the Wu Kwan, ensuring it is clean and safe before use. They should be able to assist the instructor in teaching beginners. They should understand basic physiology of practice and understand the principles of movement and evasion.
Duan Grade Promotion
The Duan Grade Syllabus is extremely wide ranging. A hard copy should be obtained from your instructor which will detail the technical requirements.
Once black belt is achieved, this signifies an understanding of the basic building blocks of Tang Sou Dao, and it is time for proper application and understanding. A black belt should understand that their training is just beginning. Duan grades should also have achieved a level of authority and maturity as a result of long-term training and discipline. They should ensure the junior belts and beginners feel at ease in class, and provide assistance where necessary.
