Practice Tips and Graduation Requirements

Practice Does Make Perfect

How many times do you come to class? Once a week? Once a month? We recommend at least twice weekly for maximum enjoyment and absorption of the material in our curriculum.

But coming to class isn't enough to move on to the next Belt and eventually to achieve the ranking of Black Belt. You must practice at home! Remember to warm up and stretch first, then go through your curriculum, concentrating on your technique as well as your speed. The Instructors can tell who practices ... and who doesn't!

Need Extra Help?

There are several ways you can augment your studies at Bethesda Martial Arts Academy.

One way is to view the videos prepared for each Belt level. Instructors demonstrate the forms and combinations so you can study the proper stances, hand techniques, and other movements that are key components of your curriculum. These videos are available for sale in the office.

Another service available to students is tutoring. All Black Belts are REQUIRED to tutor lower belts. These tutoring sessions are provided FREE OF CHARGE and are arranged at the mutual convenience of the student and the Black Belt tutor. The office has copies of the contact list of Black Belts available for tutoring.

Graduation Requirements

Students who have received their fourth stripe are eligible to graduate to the next Belt level. Please do not ask Instructors to test early.

Graduations for students receiving their Gold through Brown Belts are held monthly, usually on the last Wednesday of the month, at 6:30 p.m. Each student will perform all the forms and combinations they have learned. Adults are exempt from performing combinations at graduation.

Students must be at the school in full uniform (jacket tops, not tee-shirts) by 6 p.m. to check in and warm up. Parents of students under 18 years of age are required to complete a parent evaluation form BEFORE the student is graduated. These forms are available in the office and should be turned in as soon as the student has been approved for graduation -- preferably not during the graduation ceremony itself.

If you have received your 4th stripe, you will receive your new belt at the graduation ceremony -- no matter how many mistakes you make. You will already have been tested to ensure that you are ready to move on; the ceremony is to show your family and friends how much you have accomplished!

Students do receive grades on their class attendance cards during graduation. Those who have performed at an A+ level in class and at graduation will receive small stars for their uniforms. These are worn in a vertical row on the left side of the jacket.

Flash photography and usage of cellphones are discouraged during graduation, as they distract students who are trying to concentrate on their performance.