Advice Before You Test For Your Taekwondo Black Belt
If you are preparing for your black belt in Taekwondo, you can trust your instructors will let you know when you are ready. On the day make sure that you give each form, punch and kick 100% focus and have faith that you will be fine on the day. However, it is important to realize that this is going to be a very difficult test, but the results far outweigh the negative aspects of the day. Below are a few tips for preparing for the day:
1. Make sure you get enough sleep leading up to the big day.
2. Make sure your uniform is clean and ironed.
– This may seem like a given piece of advice, but a stiff and ironed uniform will assist with making your punches and kicks snap. If you happen to have a few choices in uniforms, choose the one with the least decorations or patches or even a new one if possible. There are a few studios that will incorporate the costs of a new-uniform into the testing fees.
3. Do not worry too much about your Black Belt essay.
– Even though your essay should be worded in the correct manner, it is far more important to rather focus on portraying the right message. This will include what you may have gained from your Taekwondo experience over the years. What you can relate these experiences to in your everyday life. Also include information on how Taekwondo has affected other aspects in your life and how it will assist you going into the future. You may be required to read your essay out aloud, but in general this will only be for the sake of the present audience.
4. Plan to eat a nutritional breakfast on the day.
– However, if your test happens to be scheduled for the afternoon, it is not advisable to eat just before your test.
5. If your hair is long, make sure that you tie it back and if necessary make use of clips.
6. Ensure that you are fully prepared for your written exams.
7. Do not over extend yourself during your warm-up exercises.
– When practicing your forms for the last time before the test, rather practice only basic motions without putting power into them.
8. If you are offered with a water break during the test, avoid drinking too much or too fast.
9. Concentrate on your breathing.
– When you are given the opportunity to breathe and rest during the test, avoid gasping for air. Even if you happen to feel like you are unable to get enough air in, focus on breathing deeply and slowly.
10. If you are allowed to conduct custom breaks, avoid trying something you are not 100% familiar with.
– Due to the fact that you should be well rehearsed in your demo-break well before the test, judges are typically not impressed by those who attempt to do something that is over-ambitious.
11. Ensure that you put everything that you have into the test.
– In some cases, especially in classes, many individuals tend to think they may not want to feel too sore the next day are work or school so they do not give 100%. However, when it comes to the day of the test you need to give everything that will include your maximum focus, snaps, yells and power.
12. Avoid relaxing mentally when you think the hardest parts of the exam are over.
– In many cases, the judges at these competitions will save the trickiest or hardest parts of the test for the end. Or they may ask you a series of questions related to forms or their meanings to decide if you are still in a focused mode.
13. Once the test is finished, relax and go out with friends or family to celebrate.
– Even if you do not know the official results of your test, the hardest part is now over. It is important to celebrate that you have come so far in Taekwondo.
Quick Tips
1. Stay focused at all times
2. Fear is your friend and will mean that you are alert. However, when the test begins loses your fear and become focused
3. Make sure you attend all the classes necessary to make sure you are ready for the day
4. Always remember that you are in control on how well you will do on the day and this is totally dependent on hard practice