Brown Belt is a very special rank, this guide was designed to help students and their parents know what is expected at this level.

Brown Belts - Brown Belt rank at Kensho-Ryu Cumberland is a very important time for students' character development. Students are expected to attend monthly seminars outside of their class schedule, compete in our yearly tournament, help teach and lead younger students, as well as help maintain the dojo. Dojo etiquette must be observed at all times. Respect to parents and an increased sense of responsibility at home must be evident. Students must call in themselves if a class is to be missed and all classes MUST be made up. Not having homework/projects done is NOT an acceptable excuse for missing class; students must manage their time properly. Grades and homework must be at an acceptable level. ALL Brown Belts must show Sensei their report cards each quarter. Students who do not put forth effort in class or fill the above requirements will not be promoted and may even be asked to leave the dojo. There will be unpleasant consequences in class for poor effort and behavior. Parents must be aware that the instructors will be very tough on their kids at this point. Do not hesitate to contact Sensei with questions or concerns.

Being a Brown Belt:

Brown Belt is a very important rank at Kensho-Ryu in Cumberland. It is a period of time when you as a student must prove that you are worthy of consideration for Junior Black Belt rank. A Black Belt is more than someone who can do certain techniques in karate; he/she is someone who works to develop the positive side of their character; who works at becoming a responsible young adult. A Junior Black Belt is a leader and a role model.

What does this mean? It means that a Brown Belt is more than a rank, it is the kind of person you are. A Brown Belt does not need to be asked to complete routine chores, a Brown Belt is capable of keeping track of their belongings, and a Brown Belt will be helpful without being asked. A Brown Belt will try to avoid conflicts and arguments over unimportant matters. A Brown Belt is someone who tries to be a responsible, helpful person. These are the qualities that will make you a future leader, a role model, a Junior Black Belt.

Required of Brown Belts:

Several years are spent at Brown Belt, usually two years in the brown belt class, and one year or more with the Junior Black Belts. Younger children will spend more time in Brown Belt class simply because at Kensho-Ryu in Cumberland, we do no believe in promoting young children to Black Belt. Mental maturity is a factor.

During this time, there are three kata to be learned as well as10-12 self-defense techniques. Time is spent perfecting material already learned. Self-defense techniques are explored more thoroughly through interaction, and more controlled contact is expected. More importantly than this, it is a time when you must learn to push yourself physically and work on positive aspects of your character at home as well as in the dojo.

Students will be required to attend a 1440 sleepover seminar at least once during their brown belt years as a requirement for Junior Black Belt.

Students with two stripes will be required to help with under belt classes about once a month during the year, or during parties for the younger kids. This is to promote leadership ability; teaching is a great way to help better understand curriculum. In the past, students have found this challenge fun and rewarding. There is a calendar to sign up for teaching on the dojo bulletin board.

Brown belts will be required to participate in the yearly Kensho-Ryu Tournament. Also required is attending seminars held at the school as well as other educational events. This is considered part of your training.

Motivation:

Often a student will claim to be “bored” with their training when they have spent some time at this level; after all, a lot of time is spent with less new material than in previous ranks. This is when the student must ask himself or herself, “Am I doing all that I can do?” For example:

Do you practice several times a week, new material as well as old?
Do you do extra activities to improve your fitness level (sit-ups, push-ups, jump rope)?
Do you work with other students to make sure your techniques are effective?
Do you visualize the fight within your kata, or just go through the motions?
Do you train for and participate in the tournaments?
Do you come to extra classes to enhance your training? Do you make up all missed classes?
Do you try to attend the monthly seminars and other dojo events?
Do you take a leadership role by helping with the lower ranks?

Someone who is bored is not looking within themselves to grow. It is guaranteed that if students just put in their two classes a week and go through the motions of kata without exploring its application, or do not push themselves physically, promotion will not happen. To be a leader and a more mature person, students must strive to find it within themselves to push beyond. All of our Brown Belts have this potential; using it is what will make them become Junior Black Belts.


Brown belt checklist for Junior Shodan rank:

Must be able to do 50 push-ups without stopping
Must be able to do 50 sit-ups without stopping
Must be able to do 3 minutes of jump rope, without stopping
Must be able to hold a good horse stance for at least 3 minutes
Stances are low and strong in all kata
Elbows are drawn back in all kata and during basics
Confident with sparring skills;controlled contact is used in waza and sparring

Must be evident that student is practicing on their own
Must be helping with a class at least once a month, or during a karate camp or parties
Excellent etiquette is used at all times in the dojo
Grades are above average, conduct and effort grades at highest level
Participates in Kensho-Ryu tournament or others
Attends as many seminars as possible
Attends one MAD 24 sleepover seminar



All of volume 1
All of volume 2
4 waza from volume 3
2 club techniques

1,2,3 blocking forms
1,2,3pinan
1,2,3 cat
Circle of the Tiger

Shikon-Ryu