BSP Student Expectations

Note: Our Training "Seasons" are actually trimesters, each 4 months long.  

January-May = Winter-Spring Season

June-August = Summer Season

September - December = Summer Season

Brown-Stripe Rank: First Season of BSP: Beginner Curriculum Review (4 Months Min.)

3 Classes per Week (Beginner Curriculum + Skills & Drills + BSP Session)

After graduating the advanced class, Brown-Stripe Ranks will attend a Beginner level weekly curriculum class.  They will be treated as class assistants, while reviewing the material at a higher degree of skill & understanding. 

Earning Review Stripes:

• • As a "Brown-Stripe" Student, you will be practicing to earn a Beginner Review Stripe every two weeks

  • To earn the current stripe, demonstrate skill & understanding in both White and Yellow Rank lessons.  You are responsible for working on both at the same time.

Completing Black Sash Prep (BSP) Lessons:

• • Besides earning beginner review stripes, you are expected to work on Three Black Sash Prep Lessons.  You will focus on ONE BSP Lesson each month for three months, and then spend one month reviewing.

  • Here's what to expect at each Friday BSP Session in a given month: 

    • Prepare at Home - Select any one of the lessons (except the Final Lessons in yellow). Watch the video and practice along.

    • 1st Session of The Month - Let the instructor know which lesson you've selected.  Practice it and ask questions.

    • 2nd Session of The Month  - Demonstrate the lesson to the instructor.  Earn a "Half Check", and note any feedback to practice.

    • 3rd Session of The Month  - Demonstrate the lesson again, this time earning a "Full Check" if you're ready.

    • 4th Session of The Month - If you've haven't already, now's the time to earn your Full Check.  If you already earned it, you'll have extra time to review and practice your own martial interests.

Testing for Black Sash Prep (BSP) Ranks:

• • You'll be invited to test once you've earned all 8 review stripes and completed your Three BSP Lessons.  Your test has 3 parts:

    • Part 1: Test with your curriculum class on 8 stripes

    • Part 2: Test on your BSP Fitness and Lessons (typically Friday)

    • Part 3: Complete the Gauntlet with the Teen & Adult Class (typically Saturday)

Black-Stripe Sash: Two+ Seasons BSP: Intermediate Curr. Review (8 Months Min.)

3 Classes per Week (Intermediate Curriculum + Skills & Drills + BSP Session)

Black-Stripe students should attend an Intermediate as their weekly curriculum class.  They will be treated as class assistants, while reviewing the material at a higher degree of skill & understanding. 

Earning Review Stripes:

• • As a "Black-Stripe Rank", you will be practicing to earn an Intermediate Review Stripe every two weeks

  • During your FIRST season at this rank, demonstrate skill & understanding in any Two of the Rank Lessons to earn the current stripe.  You are responsible for working on both at the same time.

  • During your SECOND season at this rank, demonstrate skill & understanding in All Three lessons (Orange, Green & Blue Ranks) to earn the current stripe.  You are responsible for working on all three at the same time.

Completing Black Sash Prep (BSP) Lessons:

• • See Above: This is the same as for Brown-Stripe students, except you'll be completing 3 new BSP Lessons per season.

Testing for Black Sash Prep (BSP) Ranks:

• • See Above: This is the same as for Brown-Stripe students.

Black-White Sash: Three+ Seasons of BSP: Advanced Curriculum Review (12 Months Min.)

3 Classes per Week (Advanced Curriculum + Skills & Drills + BSP Session)

Black-White Students should attend an Advanced as their weekly curriculum class.  They will be treated as class assistants, while reviewing the material at a higher degree of skill & understanding. 

Earning Review Stripes:

• • As a "Black-White" student, you will be practicing to earn an Advanced Review Stripe every two weeks

  • During your FIRST season at this rank, demonstrate skill & understanding in any Two of the Rank Lessons to earn the current stripe.  You are responsible for working on both at the same time.

  • During your SECOND season at this rank, demonstrate skill & understanding in All Three lessons (Purple, Red, Brown rank) to earn the current stripe.  You are responsible for working on all three at the same time.

  • During your THIRD season at this rank, you will be entering final preparations for your Black Sash Test!  You'll be given guidance and information on how to approach this once you reach this milestone.

Completing Black Sash Prep (BSP) Lessons:

• • 1st Season - Each Month, create Two Techniques from the Final Lesson: Make Your Own - Block & Counter to Grappling.  Plus, you'll review One of your BSP Lessons each month.

  • 2nd Season - Each Month, create Two Techniques from the Final Lesson: Make Your Own - Trapping to Grappling.  Plus, you'll review One of your BSP Lessons each month.

  • 3rd Season - Complete the Final Lesson: Advanced Trapping Flow Drills, plus Review all other BSP Lessons.

Testing for Black Sash Prep (BSP) Ranks:

• • See Above: This is the same as for Brown-Stripe and Black-Stripe students.  During your final season, you'll receive information about registering for your Black Sash Test, if you're ready!

All Black Sash Prep Fitness

Combat Cardio: 

• Brown-Stripe: 20 Burpees + 1m Jump Rope + 1m Roundhouse Kicks

• Black-Stripe: 25 Burpees + 90s Jump Rope + 90s Roundhouse Kicks

• Black-White: 25 Burpees + 2m Jump Rope + 2m Roundhouse Kicks

Sit Ups

• Brown-Stripe: 10 Jik Chung Chuie Sit Ups + 10 Jun Fan Block Sit Ups + 60s Speed Sit Ups (do 30+)

• Black-Stripe: 15 Jik Chung Chuie Sit Ups + 10 Jun Fan Block Sit Ups + 60s Speed Sit Ups (do 40+)

• Black-White: 15 Jik Chung Chuie Sit Ups + 15 Jun Fan Block Sit Ups + 60s Speed Sit Ups (do 50+)

Push Ups (3 reps for each set must be from toes)

• Brown-Stripe: 5 Knuckle Push Ups + 5 Finger Tip Push Ups + 60s Push Up Challenge (do 15+)

• Black-Stripe: 10 Knuckle Push Ups + 5 Finger Tip Push Ups + 60s Push Up Challenge (do 18+)

• Black-White: 10 Knuckle Push Ups + 10 Finger Tip Push Ups + 60s Push Up Challenge (do 20+)

Stances (horse must use staff)

• Brown-Stripe: 1:30m Horse + 60s Crane w/ Extensions (each)

• Black-Stripe:  1:45m Horse + 90s Crane (each)

• Black-White:  2m Horse + 2m Crane (each) 

  • 2nd season = 2:30m Horse + 2:30m Crane (each)