The timetable for the Junior Black Belt exam goes as follows:

Day 1 (Sat 21st) - 11.30am & 12.30pm Classes
Today the four young ProKickers started off with their usual syllabus class
The team practicing knife defence techniquesfocusing on fitness and drills. They were then assesses on their self defence techniques and knife defences.
The team stayed on behind to do the Adult pads and sparring class
doing a round a piece in the ring with the adults, then with each other finishing off day 1
with ring craft and evasion techniques against multiple opponents. Day 2 tomorrow! Keep it up, guys!


Day 2 (Sun 22nd) - 5.00pm - 6.00pm
Today was more on the theory and history of the sport of kickboxing and ProKick itself. Tested on what they knew of the origins of how the sport started. They were then asked to demonstrate some more advanced kicking techniques, jumping and spinning kicks and power strikes. Finished off the day with a re-cap of some of the earlier syllabus levels and some fitness work.


Day 3 (Mon 23rd) - 6.00pm & 6.45pm Classes
For the first part of the evening, the team were divided off into pairs and were working on their kicking techniques and self defence moves. They then joined in with the senior class for some light sparring and fitness work. The second part of the evening was dedicated to drills and combination work. Set combinations to start then longer freestyling calls with different partners. All under the watchful eye of Mr Murray and some senior members of the ProKick Instructor team.


Day 4 (Tues 24th) - 6.15pm & 7.00pm Classes
Today was all about defence. Ring craft and evasion skills against one andLeith Braiden working on his evasive skills
then against multiple opponents. From there the team covered knife defences
and self defence techniques under the watchful eye of ProKick Senior Black Belt
Mr Paul Gordon. Because of their age ProKick junior members do not learn knee or elbow strikes
but tonight were instructed in their proper use. The team finished off
the evening joining in with the adults and some hard
exercises and some light sparring. Going strong so far but still three days to go.

Day 5 (Wed 25th) - 7.00pm & 8.00pm Classes
The start of day 5 was concentrating on class/gym etiquette and self discipline. The group had to demonstrate that they knew and understood the base formations of several different techniques by demonstrating correct form and control for whatever move had been called. The pace changed very quickly however as the senior sparring and fighter's class started. The team had to go the distance and have a good spar with some of the gym's top fighters (still under controlled conditions) and all did very well. Not long to go guys, keep up the good work.
.30

Day 6 (Thur 26th) - 6.00pm, 6.45pm -6.45pm to 7.30pm and finally 7.45 to 8.30pm Classes
This will be their toughest day to date...

Today the group started off with joining into a beginners class to demonstrate that they still remember and can perform the basic techniques they learnt when they first joined the gym. They then finished this class with a tough fitness test and moved into the Senior class under the watchful eye of Mr Paul Gordon, one of the gym's Senior Black Belts. They had to demonstrate correct form and discipline on groundwork and self defence techniques. After this they moved into the Senior sparring class, mixing it up with different levels of ProKick members including some of ProKick's top fighters for a spar-a-thon. Mr Gordon said "It's wonderful how far they have come but when you are testing them, you forget sometimes that they are Juniors because their technique is so good. It just makes you want to push them all the harder because you know you can bring it out of them." 3 Classes done in one night, no mean feat.

Day 7 (Fri 27th) - 6.00pm Class
The team will be tested on padwork, holding and striking and all aspects inbetween. The team started off working with the yellow and orange belts going through the second and third levels of the sport and some further fitness work. They concentrated on some long punch and kick combination drills and did 2 rounds of hard, fast shadow boxing. They then seperated off and went into the ring with Mr Murray todemonstrate their knowledge of not only being able to deliver the combinations effectively, but call for other team mates. They had to come up with their own variations of punch and kick combinations on the focus pads demonstrating correct form and technique. They finished off the class with some more fitness work and more drills. The team were under the impression today would be the last day, but in a true test of deication, the team wre informed they would be put under one final test tomorrow during both kid's classes. Great effort by all four of the team so far, keep up the good work guys!
 
Final Exam - Saturday 28th - This is a private session with just instructors permitted to attend.

Details of this day are kept secret as this will be the group's final test. Be ready for anything guys and prepare to work hard! Please be at the gym for no later than 10am and you will finish off both classes (10.45am - 11.30am and 11.30am - 12.15pm)


Thanks go out again to the continued support from the young ProKicker's parents
without them none of this would be possible for them.

The Black Belt grading even for the junior members is a week long as they are taken through every single technique they have learned since their first class culminating in a larger test that could last anywhere up to three hours. The grading will be taking place from the 21st to the 27th January 2012.
It is the ultimate test for junior kickboxing students, who have been class acts since joining Prokick at just six years of age. They are, according to head coach and former world champion Billy Murray, role models for all aspiring students and fighters.

"If ever there was proof needed that dedication brings results, it comes in the form of Saskia, Kyle, Leith and Jamie. I have known these four children for some time - some of them before they could even walk. The development of young children in the Prokick Gym never ceases to amaze me - there is nothing more satisfying that to see them turn from toddlers into Black Belt students.

"This is a very tough test and the biggest they will face as kickboxing students. After becoming junior Black Belts, they become senior students and that's another new world to discover in the sport. Their parents and families should be very proud that they have reached this far as kickboxers so soon in their young lives."

Saskia, Kyle, Leith and Jamie must go through an intense period of preparation for their Black Best exam - revising every technique they have learned during more than five years of study.

Feel free to wish the four the best of luck in the comments section below. We will update you of their progress as it happens here on prokick.com