At Shaolin Kung Fu of Central Texas, we measure our progress and skill level with the use of a colored sash system, beginning with white sash and progressing through black sash and beyond. To earn a sash you must learn the material, master it, and successfully pass a test; if you think you are nearing preparedness to test, talk to Sifu Marsh about when the next test date will be. Some (not all!) of the requirements for each level are as follows:

YELLOW SASH:

Basic punches and blocks: straight punch; backfist; hammerfist; kua block; inside block; outside block; round down block

Forms: eight basic horse stances; eight chain punch; eagle claw hammer fist

Roads 1-3

Physical agility: 1 minute horse stance; 20 push ups

ORANGE SASH:

Forms: dropping horse defense; sixteen hands

Roads 4-5

Physical agility: 1:30 horse stance; 25 push-ups

GREEN SASH:

Forms: Bung bo; little mantis (or second large set); Mantis two-man drill

Weapons: first staff form

Physical agility: 2 minute horse stance; 30 push-ups; 2 mile run

BLUE SASH:

Forms: third and fourth large sets; first side of first two-man set

Roads 6-7

Weapons: second staff form or first broadsword form

Physical agility: 2:30 horse stance; 25 sit-ups; 2.5 mile run

PURPLE SASH:

Forms: fifth and sixth large sets; second side of first two-man set

Weapons: third weapons form (if completed broadsword, then straight sword allowed)

Roads 8-9

Physical agility: 3 minute horse stance; 30 sit-ups; 3 mile run; 3 tam tui crescent kicks (right and left)

BROWN SASH:

Forms: seventh and eighth large sets; first side of second two-man set

Roads 10-12

Weapons: fourth weapons form

Physical agility: 4 minute horse stance; 40 sit-ups; 40 push-ups; 4 mile run; scissors split (left and right)

BLACK SASH:

Forms: tong long juk dung; tong long tow toe; second side of second two-man set

Weapons: fifth weapons form

Physical agility: 5 minute horse stance; 50 push-ups; 50 sit-ups; 5 mile run; 10 tam tui lifts

Also; must demonstrate sup sai lo; ba duan jin qigong set; and Yang short form tai chi set.

FORMS LIST:

Bung bo (crushing step)

little mantis

kung lik (strength-building form)

Dae kung

sup bot sau (18 elders form)

sup sai lo (14 roads)

chop choy

bok yuen tow toe (white monkey steals the peach)

bok yuen juk dong (white monkey exits the cave)

tong long juk dong (mantis exits the cave)

tong long tow toe (mantis steals the peach)

mui fa sao (plum flower hand)

mui fa lok (plum flower falling)

mui fa kuen (plum flower fist)

double stabbing flower

black tiger crossing

Shaolin Mantis

Yang short form

TWO-MAN SETS:

wah lum 1st fist two-man set

cluster fist two-man set

intermediate two man set

sup bat mor san sou

WEAPONS SETS (staff is first weapon, broadsword second weapon, then choice; for black sash, must have at least 3 different weapons, including staff and broadsword):

right hand staff

basic staff

meiqi staff

plum flower staff

5th son staff

Three-sectional staff

spear

ying ching dol (broadsword)

civil military broadsword

5th meridian broadsword

continuous broadsword

lo hop cern dol (double broadswords)

straight sword

tai chi sword

yueya chan (monk spade)

rope dart

chain whip

Kwan dao

Sets Taught and Testing Requirements