Kid's Testing & Fun-Day

[Saint Louis Ki Society]

At the end of each Kid's session we have "Kid's Day". There is a fun Aikido games class for both age groups followed by testing for those who are eligible. After testing we have some refreshments. All current and former students are welcome to attend. Even if a student is not testing this time, it is great for them to watch testing, and they may even help!

The $10 testing fee may be paid at regular class or on the day of testing.

"Kyu" ranks are the ranks below black belt levels. For children, each kyu rank up to 6th Kyu has a belt color. Each belt color has 3 levels, A, B & C. The level is designated by stars attached to the students belt. C level is no stars, B level is 1 star, C level is 2 stars.

• 10th Kyu rank is white belt,
• 9th Kyu rank is yellow belt,
• 8th Kyu rank is orange belt,
• 7th Kyu rank is green belt,
• 6th kyu rank is blue belt.

To do well on a test, children must be calm and focused, as appropriate for their age. The “Mind and Body Unification” parts of the test are used to show this. The “Hitori Waza” are movement exercises that must be done correctly and with good balance. The techniques are Aikido throws that must be done with a partner. There is no contest against other people in Aikido, either in testing or in classes. When working with a partner on a test or in class, both the attacker and thrower are trying to do the correct movement and be safe.

A student's amount of practice, behavior, age, and the ability to perform the test criteria all affect eligibility for testing. In general kids test for the first time after attending two full sessions. This assumes an attendance of at least 7 classes per session. After that time they usually test at the end of every other session. That's about 3 times a year for those who attend regularly. Rank in the lists for specific dates below show the minimum each student will be tested for. Higher rank may be considered based on performance during the test.

[Saint Louis Ki Society]

These five kumi waza (throwing arts) described below cover the requirements for 10th Kyu C through 7th Kyu A ranks. Testing requirements also include Hitori waza, the movement exercises often practiced at the beginning of classes. Mind and Body Unification technique such as unbendable arm and standing and sitting with mind and body coordinated are also required.

The techniques, with RUBBERT SENSEI’S TIPS FOR TESTING:
1.   Katate kosa dori kokyunage (basic kokyunage – cross-hand grab, jump behind)
 Hitori waza used: ikkyo, udefuri choyaku, udemawashi.
•   Don’t pull ki.
   How? Extend ki like unbendable arm exercise. Don’t drop down.
   Why? To lead uke up without pushing or pulling
•   Enter straight behind uke.
   How? Focus ki straight through uke and move like udefuri choyaku exercise.
   Why? To move into the center and make uke move around you.
•   Raise both arms up like “bansai” gesture.
   How? Point fingertips up like ikkyo exercise.
   Why? To lead uke up.
•   Perform throw with a vertical rhythm.
   How? Move arms and one point straight down and up as in udemawashi exercise.
   Why? So uke cannot stop your ki.

2.   Munetsuki koteoroshi (Punch, turn and throw)
Hitori waza used: koteoroshi, tenkan.
•   Lead uke without blocking ki
   How? Turn tenkan without changing uke’s direction.
   Why? To lead without pulling.
•   Take hand lightly from the top.
   How? Move hand along the direction of uke’s arm.
   Why? To lead uke around without pulling.
•   Bring arm straight down, lead straight up and down
   How? Bend knees, move one point, point fingers down.
   Why? To lead uke down.

3.   Kokyu Dosa (Kneeling throw)
Hitori waza used: ikkyo waza, ude furi waza.
•   Body enters straight in and elbows drop down
   How? Move like bowing and keep weight underside.
   Why? To lead uke without pushing or pulling.
•   Pin the uke with ki while standing on toes.
   How? Use unbendable arms with a light touch at uke’s shoulder and elbow.
   Why? To adapt to uke’s test or movement without loosing balance and control.

4.   Shomenuchi Kokyunage (strike down from front, jump behind and throw like basic kokyunage)
   Hitori waza used: ikkyo, udefuri choyaku, udemawashi.
•   When ki moves, enter straight behind uke
   How? Move like Ude Furi Choyaku exercise.
   Why? To move past uke
•   Raise both arms
   How? Point fingertips up like ikkyo exercise.
   Why? To lead uke up without pushing or pulling
•   Bring arms straight down, lead straight up and down
   How? Move arms and one point down and up as in arm circle exercise.
   Why? So uke cannot stop your ki.

5.   Kata dori ikkyo (Irimi & tenkan, grab shoulder, step back and take arm down)
Hitori waza used: funakogi, zenshin-koshin, tenkan.
•   Brush uke’s hand down and step back without changing position of hand
   How? Begin like funakogi, let elbows relax down and then step back.
   Why? To move uke without pulling or creating resistance.
•   (for irimi) Lead hand straight up and down before stepping in.
   How? Lead uke from fingertips and take fully down.
   Why? To avoid collision with uke.
•   (for tenkan) Lead hand straight up, step straight behind uke, then lead hand straight down.
   How? Lead uke from fingertips and move in like tenkan exercise.
   Why? To move into the center and cause uke to move around you.
•   Finish on knees and toes.
   How? Have posture like in shikko exercise.
   Why? To follow uke all the way down to mat with balanced posture.

[Saint Louis Ki Society]

Thursday, December 17^th is the next Kid's Testing & Games-class.
5 to 5:45 pm there will be a fun class with Aikido games.
5:55 pm Testing will begin and last about 20 minutes.
Snacks after the tests (hot apple cider anyone?)


Three kids are eligible to test at this time:

• Francis Alford for 9^th Kyu C
• Andrew Huang for 9 ^th Kyu A
• Joe Brady for 8 ^th Kyu B