For each grade you will be tested on your understanding of theory and application of the foundations. Gradings will be made as realistic as possible to see whether you can apply your training against a genuine attack.
Grade 1
- Basic Standing – Holding the Dan Tien (Zhan Zhuang Belly Breathing)
- Minimum Safe Distance
- Defense against Hook – Form
- Defense against Hook – Application
- Defense against Punch – Outside Gate – control arm and hit – form plus application
- Outside Gate (as above) plus ready to stop hook punch
Grade 2
- Standing – palms down at waist height
- Outside Gate Form – Ripping, Controlling, Hitting
- Outside Gate Application – Ripping, Controlling, Hitting
- Outside Gate – ready to catch/rip into hook – form plus application
- Rising Arm Form
- Rising Arm Application
- Inside Gate for Hook – Form
- Inside Gate for Hook – Application
- Students must also learn inside gate for hook or straight punch
Grade 3
- Standing – round arms, palms up - Holding the Belly (as in Zhan Zhuang, but can be wider)
- Entry Form One – pin and hit
- Entry Application against Single Punch
- Rising Arm against Straight Punch – Inside and Outside
- Grabbing Hands with Body Awareness and Springy feeling
Grade 4
- Standing – round arms chest high – Holding the Balloon
- Entry Form Two – under arm - Form
- Entry Form Two – under arm – Application
- Outside Gate Form with Kick
- Outside Gate Application with Kick
- Outside Gate with Kick moving to Entry
- Chi Sau – hit and fold elbow if arm is pushed (not pin)
- SanTi Stance
Grade 5
- Standing – round arms head height (Push Balloon in front of face)
- Entry – second or third punch, under or over
- Jam Straight Kick
- Chi Sau – redirect force on inside using body rotation (feed around)
- Chi Sau – Catching Elbows – both sides, under, pin and step in
- Step and Swing Arm
- SanTi Stance
Grade 6
- Entry – any combination
- Entry with Defense against Kicks
- Ward Off Roll Back Form – pull back and push
- Ward Off Roll Back Application – outside – pull back and push
- Chi Sau with Pin and Hit
- Standing – combat aware (DaCheng) - SanTi
Grade 7
- Spontaneous Reaction Entry (one step) – continues in grade 8
- Roll Back – Inside Gate against Hook – redirect and feed around
- Chi Sau – Single Whip – head protection must be worn
- Stepping into Chi Sau – single hand with footwork (basic)
Grade 8
- Stepping into Chi Sau – Advanced
- Pole Work – pin and hit, spear arm and natural use of body and elbows