Martial arts must be approached with care and integrity in order to prevent injury. Training is rigorous and there is, by nature, contact involved. At Peacemaker Academy, Safety is a core competency.
The culture of Peacemaker Academy is one of consideration and integrity. Firstly, our martial art style emphasizes resolving a conflict with the least harm possible. Care is taken at every step of the training to increase the student’s awareness of safety risks involved with each movement. Injuries are tracked and those who are prone to injury or to injuring others are worked with to remedy the situation.
Additionally, Peacemaker Academy has a unique system for allowing participants to choose the level of intensity appropriate to them at the moment.
- Students start with a Red Band which they attach to their belt. The Red Band informs the other students that the student will be going gently.
- When ready, students can apply for a Yellow Band. Attaching the Yellow Band to the belt informs the other students that the student is prepared for a medium level of intensity in training.
- After a certain level of advancement, students may apply for the Green Band. Students who have the privilege and who choose to wear the Green Band have the training to participate in a higher intensity of training with other students who also wear the Green Band.
The details are as follows:
Levels of intensity when practicing with other people:
Kata: Single movement or series:
- Red Band: Dry practice of movement: (Soft Kata). Slow deliberate perfection of form.
Striking: Slow, no contact, little to no blocking. Pads are used.
Grappling: Slow, full cooperation, slow or no landing.
Groundfighting: Slow, full cooperation.
Weapon: Slow, no contact. - Yellow Band: Dry practice with intensity: (Mid Kata).
Striking: Force is enough to land the move, but dodged, blocked, or absorbed by Pads.
Grappling: Speed, some resistance, gentle landing.
Groundfighting: Speed, some resistance, but move will succeed.
Weapon: Force is enough to land the move(s), but dodged, blocked, or absorbed by Pads. - Green Band: Dry practice with resistance: (Hard Kata).
Striking: Blocking, reversal allowed on final move in a series.
Grappling: Full speed, enough resistance to prevent the move if needed to highlight any error in technique, reversal or escape on final move if slow and deliberate.
Groundfighting: Enough resistance to prevent the move if needed to highlight any error in technique, reversal or escape on final move if slow and deliberate.
Weapon: Blocking, reversal allowed on final move in a series.
Randori: Practicing a range of techniques without any sequence (Sparring)
- Red Band: Soft sparring: (Soft Randori)
Striking: No contact on visible blows, gentle tapping on unseen blows (eg. to the back).
Grappling: No full throw, no resistance once move is secure.
Groundfighting: No resistance to submission/choke once positioning is secure.
Weapon: No contact on visible blows, gentle tapping on unseen blows. - Yellow Band: Mid sparring: (Mid Randori)
Striking: Tap fighting: slow light touch, open hand in place of fist, extra caution with elbow, foot, knee, etc. Light contact with gloves.
Grappling: Gentle controlled throw, full resistance, reversal if slow and deliberate.
Groundfighting: Moderate resistance to submission/choke.
Weapon: Gentle touch, light pressure with unseen blows. - Green Band: Full intensity sparring: (Hard Randori)
Striking: No injurious intent, but contacting the body with some force. Participants agree on % force delivered.
Grappling: Full throw, full resistance and reversal.
Groundfighting: Full resistance to submission/choke.
Weapon: Non-injurious intent, contacting the body with just the minimal force needed to optimally attain the strike.
By giving students the ability to be clear about the level of intensity they wish to participate at, safety is increased. This, combined with an awareness of the mechanics of each move and a Do No Harm philosophy makes the Peacemaker Academy a safe place to train.