JKDU CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES

Hi Everybody,
Please find below the outline for the new testing procedures. If you e-mail me I can send it to you in word format. It will be up on the site under Certification within a few weeks. (When we figure out how to put it there!)

JEET KUNE DO UNLIMITED
HIGH PERFORMANCE MIXED MARTIAL ARTS
CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES

   The primary purpose of JKDU/HPMMA is to provide the highest quality of functional street self-defense training to people the world over. In order to accomplish this, we need to have high quality instructors. I have developed a certification process that will make the process of teaching and training quicker and easier, while assuring that each person that becomes an instructor is very capable. If someone has been certified by JKDU, you can rest assured that this person has been tested thoroughly.
   There are three levels of instructor certification in JKDU/HPMMA:
1- Apprentice Instructor
2- Instructor
3- Full Instructor

BRIEF TESTING OUTLINE

Basic Test
Quick Start part 1 Test
Quick Start part 2 Test
Quick Start part 3 Test
Eligible to take Apprentice Instructor Test
Complete Fighter Curriculum part 1 Test
Complete Fighter Curriculum part 2 Test
Complete Fighter Curriculum part 3 Test
Eligible to take Instructor Test
Technique Series
Continued Research and Development
Full Instructor

The following is the roadmap to instructorship. This applies to people who have never trained before, as well as to those who may already be accomplished instructors in the fighting arts. The difference in advancement will be the time necessary to pass the tests competently. A student with no prior experience may take two years to be able to take the Apprentice Instructor test while someone with prior experience may be able to take the test in six months. I do not want to promote anyone quickly just for the sake of promotion or gaining more instructors. If someone is going to be with us for the long term, they won’t mind putting in the training time before taking the test. I often have people who want to pay me a substantial fee in exchange for an instructor’s certificate from JKDU. That will not happen! We are first and foremost about quality.

   The curriculum is broken down into various portions. Just like when striving for any goal in your life, it is always best to break the journey down into manageable steps. The curriculum also provides a plan for reaching that goal. Instead of just training haphazardly, we make sure that all areas of combat are covered. It should be noted that each individual instructor is free to teach his or her students in any order they feel is best. The testing, however, follows the curriculum so that we make sure the student has not missed anything.
   Unlike most martial arts systems, our testing is based primarily on PERFORMANCE. While knowing the techniques for each level is important, the ability to perform the techniques against a resisting opponent is of primary importance. Remember, “Knowledge is not power, the ability to apply your knowledge, especially under pressure, is true power.” The tests are not done at full power, as we do not want injuries. Sparring at a moderate level of intensity will reveal whether or not the person has a grasp on the material.

   The first step in the curriculum is called the BASICS TEST. This consists of a few very basic empty hand moves in kickboxing, clinch, and ground ranges. We also have the student play a few of the Performance Games where resistance is added. Again, the resistance is light and I don’t expect to see world championship levels of performance here. I do want to see people applying their techniques in an unstructured environment. The techniques in this test are ones that are seen in every MMA event, although some have been modified for street purposes.

   The next stage of JKDU/HPMMA training is called the QUICK START PROGRAM. The purpose of the Quick Start Program is to prepare a student to successfully deal with a strong, aggressive, but relatively unskilled attacker. This is the bully who is out to rob you, beat you, etc. He has streetfighting experience, but has not trained to be an excellent fighter. You don’t need to know how to escape from a foot lock to deal with this kind of attacker.
The Quick Start is broken down into three phases. The first phase consists of solid offense and defense for the most common street attacks. Things like the head lock, tackle, sucker punch, knife defense, etc. Range transitions are also included.
The Second phase is a continuation of the first. More options are added for offense, defense, and transitioning between the ranges.
The Third phase is a further continuation. More submissions, more refined takedowns, and other aspects are added.
When the student has passed the Third phase of the Quick Start Program he or she is equipped to fight in all the ranges with a good variety of techniques. Striking, clinch work, takedowns, ground fighting, chokes, and other submissions are in their arsenal.
After passing the Third phase test, if the student has displayed proper attitude and character, he or she is eligible to test for Apprentice Instructor. The test consists of two parts. First, the prospective instructor must display teaching ability by teaching a few techniques. The second part is the fighting test. Again, we are based upon performance. The test consists of seven rounds. The testing is done with full protective equipment, including headgear with face cage, gloves, groin protection, and shin guards. (See bottom of article for test outline).
Each candidate must also comply with all administrative rules of the association.

The next stage is the COMPLETE FIGHTER’S CURRICULUM.
The purpose of this stage is to prepare the student to successfully deal with a skilled mixed martial arts fighter. Instead of just dealing with an aggressive unskilled opponent, we now focus on dealing with an aggressive fighter who is highly trained in kickboxing, clinch, and ground fighting. This brings the training to another level, as more offensive and defensive measures are needed. A wide variety of kickboxing, clinch, and ground fighting techniques and tactics are employed to be able to circumvent the attacks of the skillful opponent.
The Complete Fighter’s Curriculum has been broken down into three levels (phases 4,5,6) to make learning and teaching easier.

After testing through the Complete Fighter’s Curriculum, an Apprentice Instructor who is in good standing with the association is eligible to test for Instructor. The test is the same as before, but the performance should be at a higher level.

The next stage is the TECHNIQUE SERIES. This is where the individual really explores his or her own path. The Technique Series is a matrix of techniques with the entries into the techniques, where the techniques can flow to, and many variations on each technique. This allows each individual to research deeply in certain areas. For example, one student may have an affinity for the leg triangle choke. The technique series will provide several different set-ups to get to the triangle. It will include many different methods of countering the triangle, along with methods for overcoming each counter. It also outlines many different routes to take from the triangle to flow into other beneficial moves.
Another student may like the single leg takedown. He or she can delve deeply into the subtleties of this takedown. The idea is to provide as much information as possible in many areas of the arts so that each person can become highly proficient in those areas that he or she tends to favor. A fact of fighting is that most champions have a few techniques or tactics that they are extremely proficient in. They can force the fight towards their strengths and win with their signature moves. The same concept applies in street self-defense. An instructor should be well rounded so the he or she can teach anyone, but will also have a few moves that are their specialties.

The FULL INSTRUCTOR certification is awarded to those who have been Instructors, have done a good job to promote JKDU, and who display exemplary skills in teaching and performance. This takes years of dedication, and those who achieve this milestone have indeed earned great respect.

The curriculum will be adjusted from time to time as we continue to find new and better ways of achieving our goals. The basic structure will remain constant as it is based upon a concept of progression. The testing procedures will ensure that we stay on the path of developing functional martial artists instead of people who want to merely memorize techniques. When Bruce Lee closed his school, he said that he did so because “The curriculum was being mistaken for the truth”. Testing for performance will keep that from happening in JKDU.

INSTRUCTOR TEST DETAILS

The test consists of two parts. First, the prospective instructor must display teaching ability by teaching a few techniques. The second part is the fighting test. Again, we are based upon performance. An instructor of any level should be able to apply their fighting skills in each of the ranges against an uncooperative opponent. This test is a method of displaying those skills under moderate intensity.
The test consists of seven rounds. The testing is done with full protective equipment, including headgear with face cage, gloves, groin protection, and shin guards. The weaponry portions are done with padded weapons. The intensity is kept to about 75% to minimize injuries and to emphasize technique over sheer strength and athleticism. We are testing to display skills, not to just promote gifted athletes.
Each round is one minute and twenty seconds, with a one minute rest between rounds. Punching, elbows, headbutts, kicks, and knees are included in each round, along with controlled striking toward the groin. Safety is the first priority, so if anyone loses control we stop him or her from testing.
The rounds are as follows:

1 Knife versus knife
2 Stick versus stick
3 Kickboxing with takedowns
4 Clinch with takedowns
5 Partner in your guard.
6 Start in your partner’s guard
7 Start standing, go wherever it goes.

   Again let me emphasize that this is not the UFC championship! You don’t have to go at 100% intensity to display your skills. The test is tough, but it shouldn’t be an all-out free for all.

Those who have the older curriculum videos can still test with them. Please contact me for details on that testnig procedure. We will be making a transition to this new procedure in the coming months as the new curriculum videos will be ready in May.

Please let me know if you have any questions about the testing.
Aloha!
Burton Richardson.