Points for Passing

What the examiners look for is nothing special. They look at whether you perform the basic movements you have learned in this book, such as the hanmi stance, body movement, use of the tegatana, and maai, accurately and smoothly. Making a conscious effort to do them correctly in your everyday training is the best preparation for an examination.

1. Form a clear hanmi: Hanmi (半身) is the basis of every movement. A key point in the examination is whether you have clearly formed hanmi wherever it is needed, not only in your stance but also during body movement.
2. Posture during movement: Keeping a correct posture is an important key to using the body’s power efficiently. Do not get so caught up in handling your partner that you look only at your hands or let your body’s axis wobble.
3. Zanshin (残心): Do not relax your attention even after throwing your partner. The technique is examined right to its end. Keep your posture, stay aware of your connection with your partner, and do not take your eyes off them.
4. Maai (間合い): When applying a technique, the distance from your partner must be neither too close nor too far. The right distance depends on your build, but in everyday training you must learn “your own maai,” from which you can apply techniques naturally.
5. Accuracy: Performing each movement accurately, such as controlling your partner’s shomen-uchi with the tegatana and entering to your partner’s side, is a condition for passing. If the fine movements become rough, you cannot properly break your partner’s balance and the whole technique falls apart. In suwari waza, the examiners also look closely at whether your shikko (膝行) is correct and whether you move with the hips engaged in a correct posture even when kneeling.