To test or not to test... whaddaya think?

[evilduck24]

Hey guys, sorry, mostly a lurker here but I had a question.

Joined up with WTF TKD in August this year. I am greatly enjoying myself...

Obviously, I'm a white belt. Today is testing and last night, the master of the school gave me the go-ahead to test for my yellow upon the recommendation of my instructors after a quick on-the-spot exam. The exam was because it IS a bit unusual to test so quickly...

But even so, I am feeling insecure about whether I SHOULD test or wait 2.5 more months until the next testing... I think if I had even two or three weeks more practice I WOULD be ready. I know the material. I just need a little more practice. Nonetheless, the big reason why my instructors (a third dan and a second) recommended I be allowed to test is because they feel in 2.5 months more of white belt material I would probably become bored. Especially as whenever we have a new white belt, we are stuck re-learning front snap kicks and other brand-newbie material. They encouraged me last night to test, though it IS completely up to me, and told me that the quick solo exam last night in front of about 5 black belts was probably more intimidating than the actual testing would be. They complimented me a lot, actually...

The big obstacle to the testing that I see is board breaking. I've never done it. They have board breaking classes but one thing or the other has kept me from going. The instructors showed me very basically how to do a hammerfist break last night and told me it would be child's play. But I am worried about it. Do you think its possible for someone who's never actually broken a board to break one in the first try in testing? I know in theory how to do it, but who knows if I CAN... They said the beginner boards (even for adults) were very very easy to break and even a somewhat badly-placed hit would break it. I wouldn't know... is it possible?

Based on what I've said here, what are your recommendations? Should I wait another 2.5 months to test or should I take the recommendations of my instructors and test?

THanks for your comments!

~Me

[Liam Cullen]

Nice to see you nervous, means you care. That's one way of looking at it anyway

Although I have a general hatred of anyone grading before they should, I think in your case you should go for it. You're just under the 3 month rule, and your instructor obviously thinks you're up to the standard. Plus don't forget you're only talking about going for your yellow belt. I don't mean that to sound harsh in anyway, I still remember being worried about mine, but you've got years worth of study ahead of you. If you find you're rushing through all your gradings then I'd be worried, but just take it as a confidence boost that your instructor sees you as a promising new addition to the dojang.

[Kwajman]

Sure, go for it.

[One Man Circus]

I say go for it. What's the worst that could happen? You fail and train the extra 2.5 at the same level anyway.

You're instructors think you're ready, and if you're already finding it a little easy then you're probably ready for some new syllabus.

Personally I think gradings should be a pressure test, rather than a demonstration of skills you're more than comfortable with.

I've had a few gradings a little earlier than I really should, but then I've also had a few extended waits as my skills weren't yet of the required level.

Swings and roundabouts IMO

I really would just trust your instructor, unless they start grading you every couple of months for a few years.

It's not only possible to break first go with a hammerfist, but actually probable. Just hit it as hard as you can in the middle, and it will be fine.

[hux]

Yea, do it. Don't worry so much

[Mixitup]

Sorry I'd say wait. Wait until you know your pattern really well. Wait until you you know all your techniques properly. Playing catch up because you rushed the grading will stay with you - if your not ready. There's no race involved and no hurry, wait a bit then you'll walk the grading and feel better for it.

edit: better to be the best white belt than the worst yellow

[evilduck24]

Thanks for your advice, all of it. I decided to follow my instructors' recommendation and test. And I made one or two tiny mistakes in non-important areas (like pronounciation of korean words) but my forms and kicks were right on. My boardbreaking went without a hitch. My boardholder (my regular instructor) gave me a quick pointer in a whisper right before we broke them. And you were right, One Man Circus - the hammerfist broke that inch-thick board like it was butter on the very first try.

I realize this was just a yellow belt test, but cmon. You guys were nervous your first test, weren't you? I was nervous till I got there and nervous when the test first started, but once I realized I knew it I relaxed and things were fine.

Thanks for answering my questions and stuff!

~Me

[kwang gae]

I was nervous going into every test from yellow 1 through 2nd Dan.

Congrats!!!

[ray8285]

I am a 1st Dan in TKD, instruct and do testings. I recently started HKD and have been through two testings. I never thought after all this time I would be nervous. Oh how wrong I was!!! I couldn't believe how nervous I was for both tests.

[ronaldk]

i'd def say test.

you will probably get bored. i'm assuming, based on your instructors' recommendations that you have your kicho forms down well. you basic kicking is probably quite good as well.

not only is breaking for the first time on an exam possible, with a hammer fist, it will probably be quite easy. i wasn't asked to break in my white to yellow promotion, but i was the 2nd time. there was this white belt, the only one testing, who was asked to break first, with a punch. he did it quite well. as he came back into the line, i asked him if he had ever done that before, and he said it was his first time.

when i was up, i was asked to break with an axe kick. i'm not going to say it didn't hurt a bit, but it was quite easy.

just focus, aim dead center, and give it your all. it'll snap like a twig.

[tkdJim]

I would say go for it.

Board breaking is more of a confidence builder. The first time you break a board you will know what I mean. Even look att he other belts testing with you and see their reactions once they break the board. The will have a smile from ear to ear.

Don't forget that you will always be learning something new evertime.

[Lynz]

This advice may be a little late so apologies for that. In general I'd say go for the test the only thing that concerned me was the breaking element especially because its a hand technique and normally some sort of conditioning is required in order to break without injury or the attacking tool from hurting too much?

If you have gone for it then best of luck to you , and as you have your instructor's backing I'm sure that you will be fine.

Lynz

[evilduck24]

Thanks, guys. Like I said, I passed and the board breaking was very easy.

I will probably descend again into lurker-mode, but that's only because I know so little and thus have very little to add to conversations. So thanks again for all of your inputs and opinions. You all have been very helpful!

Have a wonderful week!

[Ragnarok2005]

You do Taekwon-Do. You can't fail it anyway. Just grade everytime you get the opportunity.

[MaverickZ]

Originally Posted by Ragnarok2005

You do Taekwon-Do. You can't fail it anyway. Just grade everytime you get the opportunity.

I hate you, I hate you so very much.