Level 3 – TDDS
Contents: Rank Objectives | SummaryRank Objectives
- Fundamentals & Class Protocols (DBW)
- Structural & Alignments (GKB)
- Analysis & First Stage Review (Standardisation of technique)
- Theoretical & Physical Application (TDDS)
(A more advanced clawing techniques), 2004
Summary
Level 3 or L3 is the base–level of training where a student should know most of the basic techniques, execute these techniques with a certain level of competence, understand the styles protocols as well as certain other criterion relating to self–responsibilities, i.e. self–correction and to a degree, maintaining the standard of the style. An L3 student is in effect, starting their Kung Fu training. Prior to moving on to the next level, the L3 student has to review all the work they have done up till now. The student must sort out the remainder of the niggling problems that have slipped through from the lower ranks as these will be amplified considerably with the technical and physical requirements heron. The Instructor in a positive manner has to convince the student that their skills seen in a Kung Fu perspective are limited AND get the student to see this as a positive that will promote further learning.
At this stage, it is good to reiterate the Chinese 'humility gains and pride loses' quote from the L1 section (Keelan P, 2003). If a student can be truly humble at this level, and realise in Kung Fu terms that what has been achieved up till now is perhaps 20% of ones potential, a good humble student will be open to further learning and think, 'good, lets get on with it, we've got a ways to go here and I want to make good time.' The more advanced L3 forms that those have attempted, i.e. 2–Block, demonstrate that what has been attempted up until now is like a Sunday drive. L3 is another push where one will again be operating outside of their comfort zone and in the red zone training (Keelan P, 2003).
A brief overview of this very important Red Zone method: When a student has reached their comfort zone of a push/level, the training is increased by pushing a student outside of ones ability. Eventually, the student comes to terms with the heightened training regime both physically and mentally, (Red Zone) and this level then becomes a students normal training (Green Zone). The student sits on this level until they become comfortable and thus, the cycle continues. At L3, a strike should start to resemble the action of a spring, from a static position through a very dynamic/economical route to a sudden stop, all within the restricted alignment range of the body that was achieved in the lower levels. NB: It is important to strike/block at ones operating pace, over–hitting or over–blocking is a waste of energy, i.e. no extra punch for the extra power placed in, superfluous.
Once the instructor is convinced that the L3 student is demonstrating this criterion, a student will be progressed and readjusted. Generally students dislike starting things again but if one is agreeable and convinced to figuratively starting their training again, then one will get that almost exponential growth rate that was enjoyed way back when again for a while. The humility and humbleness allows for much greater growth. Positive thinking promotes learning. Luckily there are tests and applications that will demonstrate this and have to be achieved before any further advancement of the student and consequently what seems to sort the 'men out from the boys'. This is not being as Ambrose (2002) so eloquently documents it as, 'Chickenshit — (sadism thinly disguised as necessary discipline).' It is in the arts interests to get students coming up through the ranks and in turn push the art and other students to higher levels. However, one things is for certain, the art will never be compromised and will never make it easy or have exceptions, this is something that has to be earned the hard way.
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