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Rank Testing Proceedures

In Dynamic DeCuerdas

Eskrima Students,

As a Filipino Martial Arts practitioner of the Dynamic DeCuerdas Eskrima system as taught by Grandmaster Van Donk you have probably wondered about the possibility of obtaining rank and getting certified to teach and share this very powerful art. Well, popular demand has now made this a reality for those who are truly committed to the teaching and wish to pursue this art further even though they are not able to be physically present in front of GM Van Donk. Blackbelt testing will need to be done in person in front of a qualified instructor. We are growing worldwide and look forward to you being a deep part of this DeCuerdas Family.

Although there is no better way to hone your skills than to come to a seminar or arrange a private lesson with Grandmaster Richard Van Donk – and the feedback and insight you’ll receive is well worth the time spent – we realize that most students studying this art will be studying long distance with the BlackBelt Course and will only occasionally come to a seminar or to the dojo for a private lesson. We understand that traveli ng to test in person for each level might be a challenge for some students who don’t have the extra funds available to make the journey.

Because of this, we are providing a video testing program for levels 1 through 3. At this time Grandmaster Van Donk is the only one authorized to do the testing and his schedule is extremely busy. But he would like to offer this DeCuerdas ranking and certification to serious students who are dedicating themselves to the DeCuerdas training. His promise is that anyone who starts the testing process with him will have the opportunity to be tested for each level up to Black Belt. This is a great opportunity so we suggest you get yourself on the list of people wanting to rank in this art NOW. As stated, the video testing will be available for Levels 1-3. The Black Belt level testing must still be done in person by an authorized, certified DeCuerdas Instructor.

Be ready before sending in a test and know your material inside out. In order to pass a ranking test you will be required to know all the material for that level plus the levels before that one and look sharp in all your actions. You will be supplied with a testing requirements sheet once you register as a DeCuerdas Eskrima Student by calling Guro Becky Norton at 1-707-987-9322.

We know that this training works! It was developed over a 5 year time period by taking brand new students with no experience in the martial arts and training them to Black Belt level. Each level was filmed at the point in real time that the students got there. We need to be honest here – we are not looking for a massive amount of people to sign up to become certified instructors in this art. On the contrary- we are only looking for a few instructors of high quality willing to learn and pass this system on to others so the art stays alive.

Upon successfully passing a level by Grandmaster Van Donk you will receive a most beautiful Bushindo University Certification Diploma signed personally by Grandmaster Van Donk and a DeCuerdas Eskrima board member. Your certification will be dated and numbered. Your name will be entered as a certified student for the level achieved on the website at rank-list for the level you have obtained and the date you achieved it.

Although there is no better way to hone your skills than to come to a seminar or arrange a private lesson with Grandmaster Richard Van Donk – and the feedback and insight you’ll receive is well worth the time spent – we realize that most students studying this art will be studying long distance with the BlackBelt Course and will only occasionally come to a seminar or to the dojo for a private lesson. We understand that traveli ng to test in person for each level might be a challenge for some students who don’t have the extra funds available to make the journey.

Because of this, we are providing a video testing program for levels 1 through 3. At this time Grandmaster Van Donk is the only one authorized to do the testing and his schedule is extremely busy. But he would like to offer this DeCuerdas ranking and certification to serious students who are dedicating themselves to the DeCuerdas training. His promise is that anyone who starts the testing process with him will have the opportunity to be tested for each level up to Black Belt. This is a great opportunity so we suggest you get yourself on the list of people wanting to rank in this art NOW. As stated, the video testing will be available for Levels 1-3. The Black Belt level testing must still be done in person by an authorized, certified DeCuerdas Instructor.

Be ready before sending in a test and know your material inside out. In order to pass a ranking test you will be required to know all the material for that level plus the levels before that one and look sharp in all your actions. You will be supplied with a testing requirements sheet once you register as a DeCuerdas Eskrima Student by calling Guro Becky Norton at 1-707-987-9322.

We know that this training works! It was developed over a 5 year time period by taking brand new students with no experience in the martial arts and training them to Black Belt level. Each level was filmed at the point in real time that the students got there. We need to be honest here – we are not looking for a massive amount of people to sign up to become certified instructors in this art. On the contrary- we are only looking for a few instructors of high quality willing to learn and pass this system on to others so the art stays alive.

Upon successfully passing a level by Grandmaster Van Donk you will receive a most beautiful Bushindo University Certification Diploma signed personally by Grandmaster Van Donk and a DeCuerdas Eskrima board member. Your certification will be dated and numbered. Your name will be entered as a certified student for the level achieved on the website at rank-list for the level you have obtained and the date you achieved it.

RANK LIST - OFFICIAL


The following people are Officially Certified in Dynamic DeCuerdas Eskrima by Grandmaster Richard Van Donk. 

If they are not on this list then they are not official. If you read this and you think there is an error then please contact us. If you haven’t already started training, get started now and work your way to the top. You may be that one student the art is looking for.

TESTING REQUIREMENTS

LEVEL ONE- Yellow Belt

Requirements: 3 months since the purchase of Level ONE Series.

1. Must know all Level ONE material by name and have the ability to demonstrate it without hesitation.

2. You must have purchased from Bushindo University at least Level ONE and Level TWO sets (Level 2 can be purchased at time of testing – We just want to know that you are committed to learning the next level before testing).

3. You must be a registered Dynamic DeCuerdas Eskrima student. This means that you have purchased the entire DeCuerdas Eskrima BlackBelt Course from Bushindo University and have filed the Student Registration form with us.

4. You must submit a testing application and the required testing fee.

5. You should be wearing your DeCuerdas shirt during the testing and no belt.

$50 in-person Testing and Certification Fee. $100 video testing, feedback and Certification fee.

LEVEL TWO- Green Belt

Requirements: 6 months since the Level ONE certification date.

1. Must know all Level ONE and TWO material by name and have the ability to demonstrate it without hesitation.

2. You must have purchased the BLACKBELT Course all 4 levels from Bushindo University.

3. You MUST be wearing the proper DeCuerdas Eskrima uniform with the patch on the back and the proper belt ranking.

3. You must be a registered Dynamic DeCuerdas Eskrima student and have certification for the previous level.

4. You must submit a testing application and the required testing fee prior to the test.

$50 in-person testing and Certification Fee. $100 video testing, feedback and Certification fee.

LEVEL THREE – Brown Belt

Requirements: 1 year since the Level Two certification date.

1. Level TWO certification and all previous requirements apply.

2. Must know all Level ONE, TWO and THREE material by name and have the ability to demonstrate it without hesitation.

4. You must submit a testing application and the required testing fee prior to the test.

$50 in-person testing and Certification Fee. $100 video testing, feedback and Certification fee.

LEVEL FOUR – Black Belt

Requirements: 1.5 years since the Level Three certification date.

1. Level THREE certification and all previous requirements apply.

2. Must know all LEVELS ONE – FOUR material by name and have the ability to demonstrate it without hesitation.

3. Must be able to teach Level ONE material.

4. You must submit a testing application and the required testing fee prior to the test.

$175 In-person Only testing and Certification fee.

LEVEL FIVE – Black and Red Belt

Requirements: 1.5 years since the Level Four certification date.

1. Level FOUR certification and all previous requirements apply.

2. Must know all LEVELS ONE-FOUR material by name and have the ability to demonstrate it without hesitation.

3. Must be able to teach Levels 1-4 material and have brought at least one student to Level Four and 2 students to Level Three.

4. You must attend a private 2 day session with Grandmaster Richard Van Donk where he shares with you the deeper aspects of the DeCuerdas knowledge and you must agree that you will keep this information to yourself. The private session will include your certification WHEN it is issued. It may happen then or it may happen at a later date – whenever GrandMaster Richard Van Donk thinks that you are ready. At the time of certification you will be allowed to test your students at least to Level Three. And you will be awarded the title of Guro.

The Private 2 Day Session and certification investment will be at the current private session rate of Grandmaster Richard Van Donk.

In-person Only testing and $400 Certification fee.

Note: Everything posted above is approved by Grandmaster Richard Van Donk and is subject to his change or discretion at a moment’s notice. He also holds the right to either test or not test anyone. Life lessons are also given for advancement in this system. Your certification will be earned and it be acknowledged anywhere including by several first class world martial arts organizations such as the World Head Of Family Grandmasters council of which Mr. Van Donk is a prestigious member. Study hard and enjoy your life! Dynamic DeCuerdas Eskrima

Methods of DeCuerdas Testing

All in-person testings must be prescheduled.

Testing is available in person at our dojo in Middletown, CA, and at camps or seminars held by Master Richard Van Donk or a certified DeCuerdas Instructor .

Call 1-707-987-9322 to schedule an in person testing. It is recommended that you schedule a private session with Master Van Donk at the same time so that he can polish up your skills and give you the feedback to further your studies. Also remember that there are some teachings that are only handed down teacher to student privately. He will let you know when you are ready for these teachings.

Video testing is currently available for long distant students who meet the requirements above.

Here is a brief report on how to properly do your video test.

We do not need you to teach us (unless asked). We only want you to demonstrate what you know. We are not looking for professional quality and you will not be judged on that. We do need to be able to see you well on the video though. Make sure that you are in view properly for whatever skill that you are showing. It helps us when you show the technique from more than one angle.

LEVEL ONE – Yellow Belt (3 mos)

  • Step up to the camera. Salute and state your name and the length of time you have been training.
  • You should be wearing a DeCuerdas Shirt or the DeCuerdas Uniform with a white belt or no belt on.
  • Demonstrate Ready, Salute, Attention, Fighting Positions From the front and both sides. Flow from one to the other.
  • Demonstrate empty hand energy flows
  • Demonstrate Arko- Twirling the stick drill
  • Show us you know the 5 levels of Distance – 0-4th
  • Point out the Levels of body defense 1-5
  • Demonstrate 9 vertical angles of body attacks .
  • Demonstrate Triangle V Foot work – Forward V and Largo V
  • Demonstrate 9 horizontal floor directions
    Briefly Demonstrate the 5 Types of strikes
  • Demonstrate DeCuerdas strikes1-5 first as basic individual strikes then done as a flow
  • Demonstrate the 1-8 DeCuerdas House Blocking system
  • Demonstrate what the Alive Hand is
  • Demonstrate Punching basics by throwing each one twice once slow and then fast.
  • Demonstrate Empty hand passing
    Briefly explain Levels of body defense
  • Demonstrate Single stick attack vs. single stick short range blocks – range 4 & 3
  • Show me you have a Notebook.
  • Anything else requested by Master/Grandmaster Instructor
This video testing can be done in 15 minutes if you know the material.

Be brief, concise and demonstrate that you know the material. No teaching to us.

25 years of experience makes it easy for us to see where you are at in the studies and to give you some feedback necessary for you to continue on your Eskrimador Path.

For all other grade levels consult your DeCuerdas Student Manuals

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