Tip System

What are Tips?

The “Tips” are a system to enhance the experience of our students and ensure that all students are well prepared for advancement to the next belt level starting at the white belt. The “tips”, represent mini-steps between the belt levels, almost like a quiz or a check-up. This helps to ensure that students are learning the requirements for the next belt along the way.

How does it work?

Tips are awarded in seven different skill areas: forms, kicking requirements, hand techniques, terminology, board breaking (for gold belt and up), physical fitness (for gold stripe and up) and one step sparring (brown belt and up). Tips will be awarded to students when the instructor notices an individual level of proficiency.

Tips may be earned in any order (terminology must be last), but students must wait at least one week after receiving a new belt before they can try for a tip. Students may only earn one tip per week, but may try as many times as they would like if unsuccessful.

Each tip takes them a step closer to the next belt so we are tougher about getting one as each tip is earned. “Half” tips will be given out when a student is almost ready but has a few more things to work on before being passed off.

Why is it important?

The student will feel confident that he/she is prepared for the next graduation because they have already presented the required techniques to an instructor. They will feel a greater sense of accomplishment because their progress is made more apparent through the “tips.”

The tip system is also a valued tool for the instructors. It is easier for instructors to recognize the students’ needs by simply looking at their belt and seeing what areas still need work for rank advancement.

What does it take to earn a tip?

Students must demonstrate three things to earn a tip:

Good Technique (proper execution of movement)
Good Snap (combination of speed & power)
Good Stance (proper footwork)

Students should not ask to be checked for a tip until they are comfortable with all three parts. Each student will be judged by their own ability and tips are awarded at the instructor’s discretion. A student should not be upset if they do not receive a tip after testing for one, rather they should feel progress even if a tip is not earned because feedback will be given to help guide him or her to the instructor’s expectations.

All breaks must be completed on the same day for board breaking to earn a tip, with 3 tries or less for each target (instructors may require that students complete a target in 1 try or to add more boards).

Other things to consider

Most areas of student’s curriculum are covered by the tip system, but there are still other requirements that need to be worked on. Students need to make sure they are comfortable in these areas and may not be able to earn tips if instructors notice deficiency in these non tip areas.

Behavior in class, at home and overall respect and responsibility are also factored into whether students are ready for tips. Graduation forms will be given out when students earn their last tip, but minimum class requirements must be met before scheduled graduations.

Color meanings

Green Tip – Hand Techniques
Yellow Tip – Physical Fitness – Gold stripes and up
White Tip - Board Breaking - Gold belt and up
Purple Tip - Terminology
Red Tip - One Steps - Brown belt and up
Blue Tip - Kicking Requirements
Black Tip - Form