3rd Degree Black Belt Training Guide

3rd Degree Black Belt: Sandan

NOTE: This is Sensei Kristalyn's current rank. These rank requirements are posted for reference only, as Sensei is currently not certified to promote beyond Shodan at this time.

Techniques: Further exploration weapon combat & defense techniques

Sparring: Standing & ground grappling techniques, 2 on 1 sparring, weapon sparring

Defense Training: Continue pressure point training; develop 1 of each: club disarm, knife disarm, gun disarm, 1 of each animal (these must be effective in a real situation); combinations 53-59

Weapons: [4th weapon] Form 2, Iai 2, 6th weapon basics, [6th weapon] Form 1 (see weapons section)

Forms: (see forms section)

• Choose one of: Circle of the Leopard, Snake, OR Five Dragons Face the Four Winds
• Branches of the Fallen Pine
• Sanchin (using dynamic tension)
• Sho Ton Kwak

Minimum time in rank: 4 years

A Note on Origins

There are many different styles of martial arts, some ancient and some modern. New ones pop up all the time. But, almost always, the newer styles stem from ancient traditional roots. The first style I ever studied (Ryuchi) was a blend of Shotokan, Goju-ryu, and Okinawan weaponry, under Shihan David Nori. The style is only about 50 years old, very new in comparison to the old traditional styles. I then studied Shoalin Kempo for a couple years, and I have added some of those forms and techniques to my curriculum.

For those who are interested, here is the breakdown:

Basics- Stems from all styles of martial arts.

Defense/combinations- Most come from the Shaolin Kempo system.

Forms- all from "Kata Shichi-kyu" to "Kata Shodan-Ho", are unique to the Ryuchi system, but are inspired by Shotokan and Goju-ryu forms. The underbelt weapon forms are also unique to Ryuchi, but inspired by traditional Okinawan Kobudo. Other forms are adopted from Shotokan, Goju-ryu, and Shoalin Kempo. I will make a note of which forms come from where in the rank requirements.

2nd Degree Black Belt Training Guide

2nd Degree Black Belt: Nidan

NOTE: These rank requirements are posted for reference. Sensei Kristalyn is not certified to promote beyond Shodan at this time.

Techniques: Further exploration weapon combat & defense techniques

Sparring: Padded weapon sparring, 2 on 1 sparring

Defense Training: Continue pressure point training; develop 1 of each: bear hug, headlock, nelson, Leopard technique, Crane technique, Dragon technique (these must be effective in a real situation); combination #46-52

Weapons: 5th weapon basics, [5th weapon] Form 1, Iai 1, [3rd weapon] Form 2 (see weapons section)

Forms:

• Choose one of: Circle of the Leopard, Snake, OR Five Dragons Face the Four Winds
• Empi
• Development of a creative form

NOTE: For instructor certification, must have 100 teaching hours and completion of Instructor Certification Program.

Minimum time in rank: 3 years

1st Degree Black Belt Training Guide

1st Degree Black Belt: Shodan

NOTE: Sensei Kristalyn is currently not certified to promote above 1st Degree Black Belt. If you are here, please speak with Sensei about how you can test for the next rank.

Techniques: Further exploration of grappling & take-downs, bo combat techniques, Eagle Claw blocks (see blocking systems)

Sparring: Padded bo sparring, standing & ground grappling techniques

Defense Training: Continue pressure point training; develop 1 of each: wrist grab, choke, lapel grab, Tiger technique, Snake technique (these must be effective in a real situation); Kempo combinations #38-45 (see combinations section)

Weapons: 4th weapon basics, [4th weapon] Form 1, [2nd weapon] Form 2 (see weapons section)

Forms: (see forms section)

• Choose one of: Circle of the Leopard, Snake, OR Five Dragons Face the Four Winds
• Swift Tigers

Minimum time in rank: 2 years

Observation Black Belt Training Guide

Observation Black Belt: Shodan-Ho

NOTE: May begin Instructor Certification Program.
Techniques: 12 Hands of the Tiger blocks (see blocking systems), 12-point bo blocking system

Sparring: Full contact (age restricted), standing & ground grappling, conditioning, padwork & bag work

Defense Training: pressure point training, technique #5 for each animal, Kempo combinations #31-37 (see combinations section)

Weapons: [3rd weapon] Form 1 (see weapons section)

Forms: (see forms section)

• 2 Man Fist Set North OR South
• Honsuki
• Original Form development

Minimum time in rank: 1 year

Red Belt Training Guide

Red Belt: Ikkyu

Observation
Basics: Ground grappling techniques

Sparring: 2-step Set A alternate

Defense Training: Rear headlock escape, full nelson escape, Tiger #4, Kempo combination #27 (see combinations section)

Weapons: Shushi No Kon Sho, segment 1 (see weapons section), 3rd weapon basics

Form: 2 Man Fist Set, North OR South (see forms section)

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1st Degree
Basics: plum tree blocks (see blocking systems)

Sparring: 2-step Set B alternate

Defense Training: Knife/gun rear disarm, Snake #4, Leopard #4, Kempo combination #28 & #29 (see combinations section)

Weapons: Shushi No Kon Sho, segment 2 (see weapons section), 3rd weapon basics

Forms: Kata Kodona, segment 1 & 2 (see forms section)

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2nd Degree
Basics: Ground grappling techniques

Sparring: 2-step Set C alternate

Defense Training: Gun front disarm, Crane #4, Dragon #4, Kempo combination #30 (see combinations section)

Weapons: Shushi No Kon Sho, segment 3 (see weapons section)

Form: Kata Kodona, segment 3 & 4 (see forms section)

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3rd Degree
Basics: Review all

Sparring: Review all

Defense Training: Review all

Weapons: 3rd weapon basics, [2nd weapon] Form 1, Shushi No Kon Sho (see weapons section)

Forms: Kata Kodona, Circle of the Tiger OR Statue of the Crane, 2 Man Fist Set North OR South (see forms section)

Minimum time in rank: 8 months

Brown Belt Training Guide

Brown Belt: Nikyu

Observation
Basics: 10-point blocks (see blocking systems), impact minimizing

Sparring: 3-step Set A

Defense Training: Rear bear hug escape, Tiger #3, Kempo combination #16, #17 & #13 (see combinations section)

Weapons: [2nd weapon] Form 1, segment 1 (see weapons section)

Form: Circle of the Tiger OR Statue of the Crane (see forms section)

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1st Degree
Basics: standing grappling techniques

Sparring: impact minimizing drills, advanced padwork

Defense Training: Knife front disarm, Snake #3, Leopard #3, Kempo combination #21 & #22 (see combinations section)

Weapons: [2nd weapon] Form 1, segment 2 (see weapons section)

Form: Circle of the Tiger OR Statue of the Crane (see forms section)

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2nd Degree
Basics: Dragon blocks (see blocking systems), standing grappling techniques

Sparring: 3-step Set B

Defense Training: Back choke escape, poking club disarm, Crane #3, Dragon #3, Kempo combination #23 & #25 (see combinations section)

Weapons: [2nd weapon] Form 1, segment 3 (see weapons section)

Forms: Cirlcle of the Tiger OR Statue of the Crane (see forms section) 

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3rd Degree
Basics: Review all

Sparring: Review all

Defense Training: Review all

Weapons: [2nd weapon] Form 1 (see weapons section)

Forms: Circle of the Tiger OR Statue of the Crane (see forms section)

Minimum time in rank: 7 months

Purple Belt Training Guide

Purple Belt: Sankyu

Observation
Blocks: star blocks (see blocking systems)

Sparring: 1-step Set B alternate

Defense Training: Crane #2, Kempo combination #12 & #26 (see combinations section)

Weapons: 2nd weapon basics

Form: Circle of the Tiger OR Statue of the Crane (see forms section)

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1st Degree
Basics: speed, accuracy

Sparring: Speed & accuracy padwork, counter techniques

Defense Training: Control & subdue techniques, double wrist grab escape, Kempo combination #14, #19 (see combinations section)

Weapons: 2nd weapon basics

Forms: Circle of the Tiger OR Statue of the Crane (see forms section)

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2nd Degree
Basics: Iron Fortress blocks (see blocking systems)

Sparring: Speed & accuracy padwork, counter techniques, take-downs

Defense Training: Take-down techniques, swinging club disarm, Dragon #2, Kempo combination #1 & #20 (see combinations section)

Weapons: 2nd weapon basics

Forms: Circle of the Tiger OR Statue of the Crane (see forms section)

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3rd Degree
Basics: Review all

Sparring: Review all

Defense Training: Review all

Weapons: Bo Form 1 (see weapons section), 2nd weapon basics

Forms:

• Kata Chukantai (see forms section)
• Circle of the Tiger OR Statue of the Crane (see forms section)

Minimum time in rank: 6 months

Blue Belt Training Guide

Blue Belt: Yonkyu

Observation
Basics: 8-point knifehand blocks with strikes (see blocking systems), precision

Sparring: 2-step Set C

Defense Training: Overhead club disarm, Kempo combination #10 (see combinations section)

Weapons: Bo Form 1, segment 2 (see weapons section)

Form: Kata Chukantai, segment 3 (see forms section)

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1st Degree
Basics: pop shift stances, changing point of view

Sparring: Precision targeting, fake-out techniques, footwork & maneuvers

Defense Training: Bully defense strategies, Leopard #2, Kempo combination #11 (see combinations section)

Weapons: Bo Form 1, segment 2 (see weapons section)

Form: Kata Chukantai, segment 3 (see forms section)

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2nd Degree
Basics: 8-point blocks with strikes & elbows (see blocking systems)

Sparring: 1-step Set A alternate

Defense Training: Legal considerations, lapel grab escape, Kempo combination #15 & #24 (see combinations section)

Weapons: Bo Form 1, segment 3 (see weapons section)

Form: Kata Chukantai, segment 4 (see forms section)

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3rd Degree
Basics: Review all

Sparring: Review all

Defense Training: Review all

Weapons: Bo Form 1 (see weapons section)

Form: Kata Chukantai (see forms section)

Minimum time in rank: 5 months

Green Belt Training Guide

Green Belt: Gokyu

Observation
Basics: 8-point blocks with strikes (see blocking systems), power, speed

Sparring: Speed padwork, footwork & maneuvers, point sparring light contact

Defense Training: Rear double wrist grab escape, Kempo combination #8 (see combinations section)

Weapons: Bo Form 1, segment 1 (see weapons section)

Form: Kata Chukantai, segment 1 (see forms section)

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1st Degree
Basics: rear foot pivot, 8-point direction

Sparring: 2-step Set B

Defense Training: Cross wrist grab escape, Kempo combination #9 (see combinations section)

Weapons: Bo Form 1, segment 1 (see weapons section)

Form: Kata Chukantai, segment 1 (see forms section)

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2nd Degree
Basics: 4-point blocks (see blocking systems)

Sparring: Power techniques, moderate contact (age restricted)

Defense Training: Front choke escape, Kempo combination #4 (see combinations section)

Weapons: Bo Form 1, segment 1 (see weapons section)

Form: Kata Chukantai, segment 2 (see forms section) 

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3rd Degree
Basics: Review all

Sparring: Review all

Defense Training: Review all

Weapons: Bo Form 1, segment 1 (see weapons section)

Form: Kata Chukantai, segment 1 & 2 (see forms section)

Minimum time in rank: 4 months