The Pit Belt Ranking System
The Pit follows a structured belt system for all our Hawaiian Kempo classes. We are a little unique in our belt promotions from other martial arts schools. To help better understand how and why The Pit ranks and promotes as it does, we have addressed some main questions below:
How often do you test for your belt and what does it entail?
The Pit and all its’ affiliates test every 3 months. February, May, August, November. The initial belts are every 3 months but the upper belts take longer – though testing will always occur every 3 months, whether you are ready to test or not.
Testing takes place during the normal Belt classes – the main difference is that instead of a normal class, students will be asked to review techniques and assessed for their physical conditioning, grappling and/or sparring requirements. Even if you are not testing during the class you can still participate, learn/review techniques, and get in a great workout.
What are the requirements to get your next belt?
Attendance. You are required to attend a certain amount of classes every 3 months. It begins with 20 belt classes within 3 months for Yellow, and progresses from there. Bottom line you cannot expect to promote if your attendance is sporadic.
Attitude. Do you work hard and follow directions? Do you do all movements and workouts to the best of your ability? No whining no complaining no quitting. No bugging your Kumu all the time about when you are testing. Just work hard and be respectful!
Physical fitness. You will never see an out of shape Pit Blackbelt. You will be required to pass various physical fitness requirements that get progressively harder as you become closer to Blackbelt.
Technique. While technique is important, we do not place a huge emphasis on it like other schools. Katas are great – but we will not fail you if you are a dedicated student who is in excellent shape but accidentally forgot to whizzer on a takedown defense. At The Pit you will not be forced to memorize katas or do ancient weapon routines; Hawaiian Kempo entails only functional martial arts that work for sport and self defense. So long as you have a general understanding of the required techniques for the various Belts, you will be able to pass.
Why are there so many colors and belts?
In order to allow the student to see that they are making progress, we have several belts and stripes on the way to becoming a Blackbelt. Too often schools wait years and years to give out belts while some schools give them out like candy. Our belt system satisfies that middle ground – on one hand you will not be frustrated in never knowing when you will test or waiting at the vague discretion of your instructor…and on the other hand you will actually EARN your belt and not just pay money to buy a Blackbelt, so to speak.
