# Old School Garage Testing

- Link: https://brianejohns.com/2020/12/07/blog-old-school-garage-testing/
- Published: 2020-12-07T10:00:00-05:00
- Author: Brian Johns

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

As readers of this blog know, I have switched from group classes to [private lessons](https://brianejohns.com//2020/11/12/blog-covid-19-transition/)
during these unprecedented times. One consequence of this move concerns testing 
my students for rank. In the past, I have tested my students in a group setting.
However, in these times, I have now resorted to old school garage testing. Oh man,
let me tell you, this is fun!

I have adjusted my testing protocol and process. Since I resumed teaching in September,
I have evaluated students at mid-month to evaluate whether they were ready to test
for the next rank at the end of the month. I had to be satisfied that they understood
the material and could perform the techniques with good body structure. In addition,
training consistently is important as I can see their progress.

![Mario and I after his successful test.](https://i0.wp.com/brianejohns.com//wp-
content/uploads/2020/12/IMG_3257-1024x770.jpeg?resize=1024%2C770&ssl=1)

**Mario after his promotion.**

### In the 󠀁[training sessions](https://brianejohns.com/2020/12/21/blog-changes-in-private-lessons/)󠁿 and the old-school garage testing sessions, I am evaluating them on the following criteria:

 1. Knowledge of the material;
 2. Execution of techniques;
 3. Body structure;
 4. Footwork;
 5. Flow State; and
 6. Reaction Speed.

If any criteria are seriously lacking, I will hold off on testing until the issue
is addressed. For example, one could have good body structure (excellent spinal 
alignment, arms properly aligned, etc.) but suboptimal footwork. The footwork issue
will have to be corrected before the candidate tests.

![Troy and I after his test for low blue belt!](https://i0.wp.com/brianejohns.com//
wp-content/uploads/2020/12/IMG_3274-1024x828.jpeg?resize=1024%2C828&ssl=1)

**Troy after his promotion early Wednesday morning!**

How intense are the old-school garage tests? It correlates with the intensity of
the private lessons. Let me explain.

Private lessons are now more intense than before the pandemic. The reason is that
before the pandemic, most of my private clients attended one or two weekly group
classes in addition to their private lessons. As you know, the group classes have
now been put on hold due to the pandemic.

This means that for most of my clients, their one training session will be more 
action-packed than in the past. Knowing this, I stripped down the training curriculum
to focus on the core material and upped the [intensity](https://brianejohns.com/2021/03/26/blog-friday-recommendation-5/).
Before the pandemic, I focused on flow drills and problem-solving various technique-
related issues. I still maintain this focus but added reaction speed training sequences
based on the flow drills, increasing the sessions’ intensity. The reaction has been
quite positive.

![](https://i0.wp.com/brianejohns.com//wp-content/uploads/2020/12/IMG_3278-1024x770.
jpeg?resize=1024%2C770&ssl=1)

**Eric after his promotion to 1st Brown Belt on Thursday night**!

In short, the training sessions focus on a stripped-down curriculum consisting of
flow drills and fast-paced reaction training sequences. The sessions can be intense,
befitting a garage environment.

The intensity will increasingly carry over to testing. This does not mean that I’m
abusing my students. Instead, this means that I will push them in various ways. 
This can range from focusing on their structure and footwork to their technique 
intention. It can also mean multiple repetitions of the same technique. Their stamina
and endurance may be on the line as well. The old-school garage test will undoubtedly
be more intense than the pre-pandemic group tests.

![](https://i0.wp.com/brianejohns.com//wp-content/uploads/2020/12/IMG_3284-1024x770.
jpeg?resize=1024%2C770&ssl=1)

**And I promoted William to High Blue in the last garage-style test of the week!**

For example, when I tested Eric on Thursday, I pushed him for an entire hour. The
minute he entered the garage, we were at it until the buzzer on the iPhone sounded
one hour later. I focused like a laser on his left vs. right material and asked 
him to demonstrate various aspects of this material multiple times. The hour was
over before we knew it. He had a blast! This was no walk in the park.

### Over to the instructors, how have you changed the training and testing in these unusual times?

## Additional Reading

 * [COVID-19 Transition](https://brianejohns.com/2020/11/12/blog-covid-19-transition/)
 * [Friday Recommendation #5](https://brianejohns.com/2021/03/26/blog-friday-recommendation-5/)
 * [A Look Back on 2023](https://brianejohns.com/2023/12/29/a-look-back-on-2023/)
 * [7 Benefits of Changing Martial Arts Partners](https://brianejohns.com/2015/05/11/blog-7-benefits-of-changing-partners/)
 * [Back To The Drawing Board](https://brianejohns.com/2023/12/13/back-to-the-drawing-board/)

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