Evolutionary Martial Arts

终极徒弟 水平
Zhōngjí Túdì Shuǐpíng

10^th Grading – Ultimate Disciple Grade

Upon graduation, the student will be awarded a

Black Sash

Exceptional development since the previous grading is required of the student at this stage, in addition to the points on the syllabus. In our system, Black Sash is the final grading. Upon graduation, the student becomes 终极徒弟 Zhongji Todai – the Ultimate Disciple.

The Zhongji Todai is a truly exceptional student who embodies not only the physical prowess of Gongfu but also the manifold virtues of the Three Principles of our Code of Conduct. This flawless conduct renders them the ambassadors of our Way. They can perform any aspect of the Evolutionary Martial Arts syllabus to a high standard, rendering them a living expression of the art. Their performance as a martial artist shows not only a high level of technical skill but an ability to adapt their skills to suit their situation.

During this grading, which may take many weeks or even months to complete in order to uphold the high standards required to wear the Black Sash, the student will be tested extensively on every point from every grading on the syllabus from the beginning, and all of their previous development targets from previous gradings will be reviewed all over again to ensure their continued development has been comprehensive.

The art of striking at this stage delves deeper into difficult and dangerous territory, including the often controversial 点脉 Dim Mak pressure point methods. Far from the fanciful “Touch of Death” that we often see in movies, we focus on tried and tested areas that respond to pressure and impact. There’s no magic involved here – just neurology, biomechanics and physics. In addition to this new discipline, the student undertakes a great deal of learning in the arts of soft tissue manipulation, including the 龍Lóng (Dragon) style, incorporating 龍爪 Lóng Zhǎo (Dragon’s Claw) for soft tissue manipulation.

Developing the idea of explosive power, the famous One Inch Punch features in this grading as an enjoyable and effective challenge in this regard.

The mechanics of concussion – knockout striking – are trained in depth at this stage, and the student must be capable of striking effectively and efficiently from many positions of disadvantage and while performing other tasks such as restraining an assailant.

提手 Tai Sao (Uplifting Hand) plays a significant part in the higher level of technical accuracy expected of the Zhongji Todai. In terms of kicking, at this level the student now turns their attention to the most athletic expressions of their skills: jumping and spinning, comprising aerial versions of many kicks already encountered, such as hook, reverse heel, outward crescent, back and axe kicks. The student should also be extremely adept at kicking from positions of disadvantage, such as lying down, sitting and while transitioning from one position to another, for example while getting up from the floor.

A high level of ability in all the weapons thus far encountered, including the ability to defend themselves while unarmed against assaults using those weapons, is necessary to wear the Black Sash. As always, these assaults will be realistic in nature and will resemble the dynamics of real violence rather than any kind of stylised artistic representation. At this stage, the student must be able to defend themselves, unarmed, from attacks involving all weapons encountered. They must also be able to defend themselves against each weapon using each other weapon, so a highly comprehensive understanding of each weapon and its limitations is essential at this stage.

刀 Dāo (Knife) work features heavily at this stage, including for the first time the effective use of a knife against opponents armed with knives and other weapons. Please note that we do not teach the use of knives (or any other weapons) against unarmed opponents, as this is unethical, unlawful and unjustifiable. This aspect of combat is explored at this stage only to increase the student’s understanding and efficacy of surviving an armed assault, not committing one.

火器 Huǒqì (Firearms) do feature at this stage, but more as a stimulus for awareness than as physical techniques to employ. While there are physical techniques that can help to deal with this threat, under certain circumstances, realism must be maintained and as such this aspect of weapons training is featured with a high level of respect for the nature of this threat and its severity. Awareness of this threat and its nature is the focus here more than the physical methods of close-quarters combat and disarming, with an emphasis on avoidance and escape, as well as essential understanding such as knowing the difference between visual and protective cover when escaping from an attack with a suspected firearm.

An awareness and understanding of how people conceal weapons and use them is essential, as is an awareness and understanding of the use of improvised weapons, both in terms of for assault and for situations of legitimate self-protection.

The student will be aware of current UK self-defence law throughout their training, but at this stage it is essential that they have a very clear understanding of current UK law on self-protection and the use of force in self-defence.

小念头 Siu Lim Tao, 寻桥 Chum Kiu and 镖指 Biu Ji all feature again, with the student performing the whole Form in sequence, consistently and to a perfect level of technical accuracy. Their detailed knowledge of the application of every movement in the Forms is required, as well as their ability to adapt these movements to suit different situations. This active adaptation carries over into sparring of course, which is now tested more intensely than before. Various forms of sparring are included in this grading, notably from positions of significant disadvantage including simulated injury, pre-exhaustion and challenging restrictions, including unexpected events and against multiple assailants, both armed and unarmed. During sparring bouts, the student should remain calm and aware enough to respond to unexpected prompts and stimuli without hesitation. Appropriate intensity and realism must be maintained in all work, both in sparring and otherwise. 轻功 Qīnggōng (Agility and Mobility) is now required to be fully functional and adaptive in all situations, regardless of context, in line with our Formlessness Principle.

The Zhongji Todai is committed to continual progress. Graduation of the Black Sash grading marks the end of the student’s path through our syllabus and the beginning of their continued journey deeper into the realm of Gongfu. It is through the Zhongji Todai that our art continues to evolve. Their understanding of threat awareness, threat evaluation, threat avoidance, communicative strategies, force deployment, the force continuum, and current UK law on self-protection and the use of force in self-defence must be full, comprehensive and well-articulated with a well-developed and well-justified response that demonstrates expertise in all aspects of the theoretical framework.

The student at this level should demonstrate an exemplary attitude to learning, seeking out new knowledge and understanding independently, discussing this with their Sifu and incorporating it into their practice. They should demonstrate a discerning approach to this by absorbing what is useful, adapting what can be improved upon and discarding what is unworthy in preference of more effective or beneficial practices. They should make links between existing skills, knowledge and understanding and what they learn from new sources, and by comparing and contrasting be able to discuss the similarities and differences between different approaches or methodologies they find in their independent learning and training. They should be able to make specific reference to at least three high-quality items of media they have learned from (for example books, instructional videos, interviews, journal articles, academic papers, etc) and express what they took from them and incorporated into their practice as a martial artist.

As a wearer of the Black Sash, the Zhongji Todai is now able to take the title of 师叔 Sisuk (Junior Instructor) and undertake the arduous but rewarding journey to become 师父 – Sifu.

Please note: the term “ultimate” can be contentious: by this we do not mean to infer that the practitioner is perfect and has finished their training. Rather, they have finished the first phase of their training. It is at this stage that greater opportunities begin to open up, as the foundation of their skill, knowledge and experience is firmly in place at this point. Black Sash is not the end, but rather the end of the beginning.