Skills and Drills

The MATA Black Belt Rank Requirements

By John Graden, Executive Director, MATA

Video Submissions

1. Audio is critical. I have to hear you clearly.

2. Keep the light source behind the camera not the subjects.

3. Make sure the picture is framed so that the subjects are clearly the focus. For instance, a common mistake is to shoot too wide so your ceiling dominates the frame.

4. Be sure to clearly explain to the camera what you are going to show me. For instance, "Here are my four rounds of my coaching my 

Areas of Evaluation

1. Teaching

2. Sparring (2nd and 3rd degrees only)

3. Form not kata (Skills instead of routines)

Teaching

Teaching 1. Four 2-minute rounds of 2 students sparring while you coach them. This should be in class with fellow students watching. Do not make the mistake did by not speaking to the camera. John Graden Coaching.

Teaching 2. Three examples of you teaching a combination to a class followed by them executing while you monitor.

Teaching 3. Explain how to create power in a strike.

Teaching 4. Deliver a Life Lesson to a class in your words.

Teaching 5. In front of class, explain, “How to assess your sparring opponent.”

Teaching 6. Watch a student hitting the heavy bag with you coaching.

Sparring

(Testing for 2nd or 3rd degree and only if it’s part of your training. Many schools no longer spar, which is not a problem.)

Sparring 1. Five examples of you watching different students spar while you coach.

Sparring 2. Sit class down and bring up two fighters at a time for a one-minute round as you coach. The class is watching as well. John Graden Coaching

Sparring 3. You sparring your toughest guys. Five 2-minute rounds with 30-second rest. Rotate the fighters each round so each is fresh.

Your Skills

My Skills 1. 2-minutes punching and kicking the heavy bag

My Skills 2. Target kicking – Round kicks, Side kick shield etc… Five different kicks, 10 – each side

My Skills 3. Target punching – 1-2-3-4 drill  for 2-minutes

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