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Exam Protocol

EXAMINERS: The following exam protocols were used by Parker Sensei here at Seikeikan dojo and abroad. All dojo's affiliated with Seikeikan should be using this exam format for all examinations. The dojocho or visting instructor can either call the exam themselves or designate someone to call the exam. It is highly recommended that all student know how to administer and call the examination.

  1. 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.
  2. The person who is calling the test, will be to Examiner's LEFT, close to or at the edge of the mat. This will be determined by the dojo layout.
  3. The Examiner or designee will call the exam as presented to him/her or based on the shinsa syllabus.

CANDIDATES FOR ADVANCEMENT

  1. Arrive early, to warm up and loosen up.
  2. Wear a clean dogi.
  3. When your name is called, bow, answer with a loud OSU and run to your correct testing place. Use proper seiza-hou to get up and "DO NOT" slap the mat.
  4. When you run to your testing position, try to balance that position in relation to the Examiner, your partner, and the size of the room. If only two people are testing, arrange yourselves as shown in the diagram below:
EXAMINER
#2
#1
  1. If there are several pairs of people testing, arrange yourselves as shown in the diagram below
  2. It is very important that you call each person up in order. First call up the student testing, then his/her uke.
  3. For example, in the diagram below, positions 1, 3 and 5 would be shite and positions 2, 4 and 6 would be uke.
EXAMINER
#6
#5
#4
#3
#2
#1

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 or by the designee calling the exam.

The following are the commands to be called during the examination:

  1. Ichi Ni Tsuite: Move to your designated spots and face your partner. (This should be arranged prior to exam.)
  2. 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 or designee calling the exam
- 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 students, 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, grasps, pin and throw.

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. (that is length of 3 panels on our mats) 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.
  3. EX: Katate mochi, shihonage ICHI (move forward)
  4. Hajime (uke attacks)
  5. After the technique is done, return to the last stance you were in. Examiner will say Onajiku
  6. Move forward to opposite stance
  7. Hajime (uke attacks)
  8. Return to Migi ai hanmi after technique is completed
  9. If more than one person is taking their exam, the Examiner/Deginee will call Shite Uke Kotai (shite and uke switch roles)
  10. Name of technique is given again. Remember to close distance on Ichi or Ni command. Same procedure as above.
  11. 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)
  12. Hajime (begin technique). At the end of the technique, return to Hidari gyaku hanmi.
  13. Onajiku - shite/uke move forward and change their stance. Should now be in Migi gyaku hanmi.
  14. At the end of technique, return to Migi hanmi
  15. Shite Uke Kotai
  16. Follow same procedure for next technique
Notes:
  1. 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
  2. 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 Seikeikan. When in doubt, check with your instructor well in advance
Prepared by: Steven Miranda
Approved by: Amos Parker Shihan