Purple Sash

中间徒弟 水平三
Zhōngjiān Túdì Shuǐpíng Sān
6th Grading – Intermediate Disciple Grade 3

Upon graduation, the student will be awarded a

Purple Sash

The Purple Sash grading represents a significant milestone in the student’s training journey. After this grading is completed, they are ready to begin their training at the 高级徒弟 Gaoji Todai (Advanced Disciple) level in preparation for the next stage. The student only progresses to this stage by demonstrating a thirst for knowledge, understanding and progress.

Striking takes another turn (literally) as the student incorporates new angles suited to unforeseen assaults taking them by surprise from behind and to the side, now being able to deliver devastating elbow strikes at all angles. The theme of kicking progresses much further now, incorporating jumping techniques for aerial kicking.

Despite these kicks being extremely beneficial from a training perspective and very enjoyable to perform, the more functional side of training always takes precedence. By this stage, the student’s defence is driven to the point of excellence, offering a stable base from which to explore new opportunities. They are also introduced for the first time to the 虎Hǔ (Tiger) style, incorporating 虎爪Hǔ Zhǎo (Tiger’s Claw) for Soft Tissue Manipulation, as well as further developing their use of supported blocking and 窒手 Jut Sao (Choking Hand).

This theme of protection is of course central to our approach, and the Purple Sash grading sees students working to escape from more common positions of disadvantage, and also learning a number of techniques that are very useful on the ground, such as 腕絡 Ude-garami (Lying Americana), 逆腕絡 Gyaku-ude-garami (Lying Kimura), 足挫 Ashi-hishigi (Straight “Achilles” Ankle Lock) and 十字固 Juji-gatame (Lying Armbar), as well as a further set of useful positions and holds with which to gain (or deny) control on the ground. For the standup skillset, 体落Tai-otoshi (Body Drop) and 背負投 Seoi-nage (Shoulder Throw) feature prominently, too.

In 轻功 (Qīnggōng – Agility and Mobility), further development of fall absorption, rolling, ground mobility, quadrupedal movement and vaulting takes place here.

In addition to demonstrating mastery of the 五步拳 Wǔ Bù Quán form, students now demonstrate all movements of 八段錦 Bā Duàn Jǐn – Eight Shining Brocades: 托天式 Tuō Tiān Shì (Two Hands Hold Up the Heavens), 开弓似 Kāi Gōng Shì (Drawing the Bow), 单举似 Dān Jǔ Shì (Separating Heaven and Earth), and 枭后似 Xiāo Hòu Shì (Wise Owl Gazes Backwards), 摇头似 Yáo Tóu Shì (Swaying the Head and Shaking the Tail), 攀脚似 Pān Jiǎo Shì (Touching Toes and Bending Backwards), 擭拳似 Wò Quán Shì (Clenching the Fists and Glaring Fiercely), and 七颠似 Qī Diān Shì (Bouncing on the Toes).

The student at this level also must demonstrate an excellent understanding of Threat Awareness, Threat Evaluation, Threat Avoidance, Communicative Strategies, Force Deployment, the Force Continuum and current UK law on use of reasonable force in situations of self-protection, as well as the Economy of Motion Principle. This will all be essential, as at this stage in their 器械 Qìxiè (Weapons Training), they must apply our S.C.A.R. Protocol to survive armed assaults with bladed weapons such as knives – perhaps the most serious, challenging and terrifying of all weapons to come up against. We sincerely wish (as with all violence, but especially with this) that nobody ever has the need for this training, but in case it is ever needed then we treat this above all else with the utmost respect and seriousness as a crucial element of any holistic approach to self-protection.