My daughter failed her orange belt test

[DavidCC]

Last week my daughter Kayla, 7, was tested for orange and failed. She failed because she was not trying her hardest. When asked a question, she would answer with "I guess" or just a shrug and a smile. Her techniques were not done with focus. She was tentative and unsure even when she was correct (which was 90% of the time). So, her Teacher asked her "Do you think you earned your Orange belt tonight" and she answered "No." As we continued class at first I saw her start to get upset but then she sucked it up and had a good second half of class. however as soon as they bowed out she headed outside and then let her emotions out a bit...

Shihan and I talked to her about trying harder and being more sincere and more confident. We practiced at home all week, we concentrated on doing her techniques without hesitating, being confidant that she was right, and not being discouraged when things got tough.

So, last night was her chance to test again. Her technique was tight and focused. She didn't hesitate and she didn't fool around. She answered all questions with either a clear Yes or No. When the Teacher asked her to do a technique she didn't know (actually required for her next belt) she made something up* and it was good. Then, it was time for the grappling section of the test.

There were 5 other kids in class that night. She was told to pick an opponent. She could have picked the goofy 9 year old boy. She could have picked the hyperactive 7yr old boy. Instead she picks the 9 year old green belt boy! She has no fear LOL. yes he was able to make her tap but she fought hard. Second, she picked the 11 year old girl who we all know to be pretty rough and tumble - her orange belt test made some of the adult yellow belts nervous... that one ended in a draw as both of them have really only practiced escapes and not submissions LOL. So as she gets up from that match she then points to the goofy 9 yr old boy mentioned earler and says "ok now I pick him". "You don't have to go any more" "Oh well I want to fight him too, is that OK" LOL

So this kid outweighs her by about 30 poinds and 9 inches of height. He's handling her pretty well, she has more technique but he's just so much bigger... well he's sweeping her out of her guard into mount and he accidentally catchers her in the mouth with his shoulder. As she lay there on her back, wrists pinned and lip hurting, you could see her start to give up. Shihan tells her : "Now we are going to see what you've got Kayla. Suck it up and fight back" it took her about 3 infinitely long seconds and suddenly she explodes upwards, elevating this kid and dumping him off, she actually scrambles to mount and sits on his neck ROFL

That was the end of her test. Shihan called "time" and she was congratualted for her successful orange belt test. Biggest simle I ever saw. She slept in her gi last night.

-D


* the attack was a 2 handed choke from the front. She did a right punch to the solar plexus, then grabbed his wrists and pushed them upwards, folding his right over left arms and turning to her right. She then kneed him in the rear and threw his arms, dropping him to his knees. She closed on him kneed him in the ribs and punched him in the temple with a loud KIAI! Every bit of it made up in the flow. I pity the boy that gets fresh with her...

[Pat Munk]

Congratulations to your daughter and to you.... I know you are proud of her final test.

[Dr. Dave in da house]

Sweet news, Mr. C. Here's to many more!

[Brother John]

That is an awesome story man!!!!

Thank you SO much for sharing it with us.

Your Brother
John

[LngDrnkOfSilence]

Glad to hear she passed with flying colors...

Equally glad to hear she didn't pass the 1st time...

To me, this speaks VOLUMES about your school... and the Instructors...

Tell Kayla that Uncle Andrew said, "WHOO! HOO!"

Regards,

Andrew

[Richard Finn]

Your daughter and her school sound impressive! Your daughter for her determination and her school for integrity. Congrats - you have great reason to be proud!

[MARSHALLS KENPO]

Thanks Dave that placed in in perspective.

[bdparsons]

Nice. My respects to her and her instructors (the one at the school and the one at home).

Respects,
Bill Parsons
Triangle Kenpo Institute

[DavidCC]

Thanks, everyone, for the kind words. Who says martial Arts isn't about learing character and discipline? Kayla just proved them wrong.

-D

[HKphooey]

Thanks for sharing. Nice story.

[RDCParker]

Great job to your daughter for showing perseverance. In the end it was all a positive experience that will make her so much better than others. She learned one of the most valuable lessons any of us can learn... that you can't do anything in life half-@$$. I'm willing to bet that she'll NEVER fail another belt test again.

[John Brewer]

Congratulations to Father and Daughter!

[gakusei]

She is a martial artist. Congratulations to her.

[Celtic_Crippler]

That's definately one for the archives. I can't imagine how proud you are of her. Stories like that actually motivate me to work harder and practice more...thank her twice, once for passing and once for inspiring me!

[don bohrer]

David,

Congratulations go out to Kayla. You must be very proud of her.

don (el paso)

[ronin6]

Great story and thanks for sharing. Congrats Kayla!!

[Kosho]

NICE

Kosho

[jdinca]

That's awesome! That test will impact the rest of her life.

[KenpoNobby]

Superb!!!

[Gin-Gin2]

Congratulations to the both of you! It sounds like she learned a lot from her test, & not just about punches & kicks. Way to go, Kayla!!