Click the links to see what material you are responsible for to advance to your next belt!
White Belt: Not all white belts will become black belts, but all black belts were once white belts. The rank of white is the first and thus the one of the most important levels. The white belt level is the foundation for all learning at the Pence Self-Defense Academy. The basic information taught at this level is absolutely crucial to advancing in the system. Students who spend the time required to master the basics will always make the best martial artists. The nafachin forms are the first to be taught and are one of the keys to learning the rest of the forms.
Yellow Belt: The student begins the long road of learning pinan forms in the System. This enables individuals to challenge their self-discipline as well as providing a structured way to practice basic stances and techniques. One Pinan is the foundation for every form that will be learned at the higher ranks. The yellow belt student is also required to begin refining the basics learned at white belt.
Orange Belt: The student has demonstrated that the they have the makings of a student who may stay. Given this initial show of perseverance, we teach the orange belt their second Pinan at this level. During this time at orange belt, students will continue to refine all information previously learned, as well as learning a variety of new techniques.
Purple Belt: At purple belt level, students are introduced to the first Kata, where they will see their first form that has “soft” elements.
Blue Belt: A student with this rank has completed a full year of study at Pence Self-Defense Academy. Sparring gives the student the opportunity to implement techniques in a more realistic setting than regular class drills provide. The second year of study will also require students to learn a variety of specific historical information about the System along with the continued study of physical techniques.
Blue Belt with a Green Stripe: This is when the student begins specific study of individual Kempo founders. The historical research component of our system is designed to enrich the martial arts experience for our students.
Green Belt: This rank begins the advanced period of study at Pence Self-Defense. At the green belt level, we start to prepare students for the responsibility of being a black belt. There is a longer waiting period between promotional tests, a greater amount of historical information to learn, and the possibility of serving as an assistant instructor for our beginner youth class. The green belt must develop and maintain a high degree of humility to continue learning the advanced aspects of Ping.
Green Belt with a Brown Stripe: This rank represents a refining period for our students. Only one new form is taught so that previous information can be reviewed and improved. This is a somewhat critical stage, since the next belt is Brown. A high percentage of Brown Belts continue onto the Black Belt level, thus we take this final pre-Brown step very seriously.
Third Degree Brown Belt (One Stripe)
Second Degree Brown Belt (Two Stripes): This is, in many ways, the final learning stage prior to Black Belt. We continue to prepare the 2nd brown student for the role of Black belt. If the student chooses, they can begin their Black belt project paper preparations by researching possible topics and discussing them with the instructional staff.
First Degree Brown Belt (Three Stripes): Students at this rank will spend approximately six months refining everything they have learned in the past 3-5 years of study. Conditioning is also priority, since the Black belt test is a 6 hour endeavor. Students are also expected to fully embrace the idea of professionalism at this stage. Any lapses in dojo etiquette and/ or character must be addressed prior to Black Belt certification. 1st deg. Brown students will often be used as assistants to instructors.
First Degree Black Belt (Shodan)
White Belt
Blocking System: 8 Point Blocks
Hand Strikes: 1st Ten of Grocery Store Set
Kicks & Drills: Front Instep, Front Ball, Side Thrust, Back Kick, Roundhouse Kick, Hook Kick, Crescent Kick, Reverse Crescent Kick, Stepping Stool Kick
Footwork: Horse Stance, Half-Moon Stance, Cross Over, Slap out Drops
Ju Jitsu Techniques: 1-4 Double Wrist Grabs
Atemi Waza (Kempo Punch Techniques): 1 & 2 (Basic)
Ping Te (Shaolin Defensive Maneuvers): Combinations 2 & 3 & 5 (Basic)
Forms: 1 Pinan, Nafachin 1-4
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Yellow Belt
Blocking System: 8 Point Blocks with Strikes
Hand Strikes: 2nd Ten of Grocery Store Set, Elbows, Inverted Strikes and Pokes
Kicks & Drills: Refine all kicks
Footwork: Movements of Side Horse Stance, Forward Stance
Ju Jitsu Techniques: 5-8 Double Wrist Grab
Kempo Techniques: 3 & 4 (Basic)
Weapon Defense Techniques: # 1 Overhead Club, #2 Side Club
Floorwork: Hip Flips
Shaolin DM: Combinations 4, 6 & 7 (Basic)
Forms: 2 Pinan, Nafachin 5-8, Stance Form
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Orange Belt
Blocking System: 8 Point with Simultaneous Strikes
Hand Strikes: Lead Hand (mid- to short-range) Strikes with Boxing Foot Work
Kicks & Drills: Shuffle Side Kick, refine all kicking drills
Footwork: Shuffle, Pivot Step, 45 Degree Work, Boxing & Triangle Footwork
Ju Jitsu Techniques: 1-4 Front & 1-2 Rear Choke Techniques
Kempo Techniques: 5 & 6 (Basic)
Weapon Defense Techniques: #3 & #4 Club
Shaolin DM: Combination 12 & 14 (Basic)
Forms: Kata 1, refine Nafachin 1-8
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Purple Belt
Blocking System: 16 Point
Hand Strikes: Elbow Set, Palms: Up, Down, Side, Inverted
Kicks & Drills: Crossover Side, Spinning Back Kick, Multi-Balance Forward Kicks
Footwork: 180° Spin, Cat to Twist
Ju Jitsu Techniques: 5-8 Front & 3-5 Rear Chokes
Kempo Techniques: 7 & 8
Weapon Defense Techniques: #5 & #6 Club
Shaolin DM: Combinations 8, 9, & 18, Advanced for 2 & 3
Forms: Kata 2
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Blue Belt
Blocking System: 8 Point Open Hand, Fortress Blocking
Hand Strikes: Refine
Kicks & Drills: Shuffling Hook, Multi-Balance Kicks on the Angles (Clock Kicks)
Footwork: Cat to Twist, Hook Foot Walking Drills
Ju Jitsu Techniques: Front & Rear Bear Hugs
Kempo Techniques: 1-8 with Full Endings
Weapon Defense Techniques: #1 Knife Techniques (A&B)
5 Animal Kung Fu: Tiger Techniques 1-3
Shaolin DM: Combinations 8 & 9, Advanced 5 & 6
Forms: Pinan 3, Hachi Ten Do
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Blue Belt with a Green Stripe
Blocking System: 8 Point with Open Hand & Strikes
Hand Strikes: Chain Punches
Kicks & Drills: Jumping Kicks (Front Instep, Front Ball, Side Thrust)
Footwork: Monkey & Turtle Rolls
Ju Jitsu Techniques: Front and Side Head Lock Techniques
Kempo Technique: 1-8 with Full Endings Refined
Weapon Defense Techniques: #9 & #10 Club, #2 Knife Techniques (A&B)
Five Animal Kung Fu: 3 Crane Techniques
Shaolin DM: Combinations 13a, 13b & 13c
Forms: 4 Pinan, Monkey Dance
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Green Belt
Blocking System: Ju Ten Do: 10 Point Way
Hand Strikes: Finger Strike Work, Dragon Plays with Water
Kicks & Drills: Spinning Crescent & Reverse Crescent
Footwork: Tiger Tail Walking
Ju Jitsu Techniques: Tackle and Take Down Techniques, Elbow Joint Locks
Kempo Techniques: 1- 8 With Full Endings, Refined
Weapon Defense Techniques: Clubs 11 & 12, #3 Knife Techniques (A&B)
Five Animal Kung Fu: 3 Snake Techniques
Shaolin DM: Combination 26
Forms: 3 Kata, Ju Ten Do, Hachi Do Chi Kung
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Green Belt with a Brown Stripe
Blocking System: Ju Ten Do: “10 Point Way” Form
Hand Strikes: 1 and 3 Inch Strikes
Kicks & Drills: Dragon Pole Kicks and Snake Kicks
Footwork: Zig-Zags
Ju Jitsu Techniques: Hammer Lock and Z-Lock Techniques
Kempo Techniques: 1- 8 with Full Endings and Form, Refined (Sho-Hanchi)
Weapon Defense Techniques: #4 Knife Techniques (A&B)
Five Animal Kung Fu: 3 Leopard Techniques
Shaolin DM: Combinations 15, 16, 20
Forms: 5 Part Arnis, 12 part Arnis, Sho-Hanchi
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Third Degree Brown Belt (One Stripe)
Blocking System: Trapping Set
Hand Strikes: Iron Palm Training
Kicks & Drills: Jumping Crescent & Reverse Crescent
Footwork: Hook Foot Walking Drills
Ju Jitsu Techniques: Hair Grabs and Arm Bar Techniques
Kempo Techniques: 1- 8 with Full Endings and Form, Refined
Weapon Defense Techniques: #5 Knife Techniques (A&B), Downward Knife Techniques (A&B)
Five Animal Kung Fu: 3 Dragon Techniques
Floor Work: Hand-Knee Attacks, Cranks, Presses, and Bends
Shaolin DM: Combinations 17, 19, & 30A
Forms: 4 Kata, Statue of the Crane
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Second Degree Brown Belt (Two Stripes)
Blocking System: Trapping Set With Boxing Footwork
Hand Strikes: Thumb Strikes
Kicks & Drills: Hook To Roundhouse Combo, Inverted Stomps & Presses
Footwork: Leg Climbs
Jujitsu Techniques: Arm Bar Techniques
Kempo Techniques: 1- 8 with Full Endings and Form, Refined
Weapon Defense Techniques: Knife Cut Up/Cut Down Techniques & Counters, Gun 1-3
Defense Animal Kung Fu: 15 Techniques, Refined
Floor Work: Leg Scoops and Hugs
Shaolin DM: Combinations 15, 17, 30B and 30C
Forms: Pinan 5, Yanni Kawa No-Kon-Sho (Bo Staff)
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First Degree Brown Belt (Three Stripes)
Blocking System: Perfected Trapping Set With Boxing Foot Work
Kicks & Drills: Sweeps & Inside Reaps
Footwork: Combination of all techniques as free-flow Laro (Play)
Jujitsu Techniques: Multi-Attacker Techniques
Weapon Defense Techniques: Gun 4-6
Five Animal Kung Fu: 15 Techniques
Floor Work: Tiger Work, Knee To Knee
Shaolin DM: All Combinations, Left and Right
Forms: 5 Kata, Kali 6/6/6, Shu-Shi No-Kon-Sho (Bo Staff)
History: Family Tree 1st Generation to 10th USA Mitose to yourself
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First Degree Black Belt (Shodan)
Blocking Systems:
Kempo Techniques
Weapon Defense Techniques
Five Animal Kung Fu
Shaolin DM: Combination 21
Forms
Weapons Forms
Kali
History: Family Tree 1st Generation To 10th U.S. Kempo (Prof. Mitose to yourself)
Pence Self Defense Academy 