CAMCORDER GRADING
When I started camcorder gradings several years ago with CombatSombo I was ridiculed because I did not expect a Student to spend hours in front of examiners trying to perfect every move to their liking. As the day went on the candidate would get tired and the techniques would wither, the examiners would tire and would miss mistakes and once the examination had finished the Judgement had to be made and would it be a fair one? I expect on most occasions it would be but a grading can hamper good technique.
With a Camcorder you can spend as much time as you like demonstrating a technique only when you think it good enough will you record it, this can only improve your technique and as such improve your overall standard
The Camcorder is a great boon to examiners as they can watch and rewind, giving a fair and qualified judgement I even use a camcorder when conducting on the spot gradings and it may take several hours before I come to decision.
There is no physical record of a Traditional Grading with camcorder you have a copy for life, with your CMAS Certificate and a DVD who can doubt your authenticity or ability. Most importantly your examiner was totally independent and impartial.
So you think you are ready for a Grading?
You must contact me by email or post and I will send you the details where to send your recording and the fee then:
You need to prepare a DVD of yourself demonstrating the entire Syllabus
When making the DVD remembers you want to promote the best of yourself, do not try and do the whole syllabus in one shot and do not be frightened to edit the DVD. Seeing a mistake on DVD is a great way to learn because you have to do the technique several time till you are satisfied.
Always start you recording with a full frontal of yourself stating your Name, Date of Birth, Your Country, The Martial Art you are grading in , How many years you have been practising
Send the DVD to me always keep a copy for yourself if you pass I will send you your results via email the same will happen if you fail but his will be accompanied by details of why you have failed, when you eventually get graded to Black Belt I will post you a personally signed Black Belt Certificate and letter of congratulations.
Martin Clarke 8th Dan