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International Fighting Arts Federation
Student progress shall be judged on the following criteria: Character, Attitude, Knowledge of the history of the different martial arts taught within his local
school, Perfection of the fundamental basics, i.e., stances, blocks, strikes, kicks and body movements, Mastery of patterns used within the IFAF and its
member associations and schools, Length of time in training, Development of control, precision, power, speed and form, Teaching ability and assistance
rendered to others, Progress through practical application of techniques, Physical Fitness, and Breaking
Each affiliated school shall hold a Black Belt promotional examination at least twice per year at the annual meeting. Any IFAF Instructor, once approved by
IFAF Headquarters, may promote IFAF members up to but not exceeding one grades below the Instructor's present rank. The quality, as well as the quantity
of material assimilated in the promotional criteria becomes more critical as the student is graded for a higher level of proficiency. When a new member, from
another organization, who presently holds a rank in any Martial Art, joins the IFAF, applicant must submit a copy of their present rank certificate. Consideration
shall be given those who are actively engaged in the promotion and expansion of this organization. Applications for promotions must be submitted by the
awarding instructor to IFAF Headquarters along with the proper promotional fee. All certificates of rank shall be mailed back to the Instructor that awarded the
ranks, to be signed by him/her and then issued to each student with a copy coming back to the HQ IFAF for our records. Promotions may be granted to IFAF
members only. TheIFAF Director may demote members in rank only. Members should not be allowed to test unless they are in the proper uniform and wearing
the IFAF patch.
Teaching Certificate Requirements
• Ability to effectively, efficiently and proficiently teach the required material is the main concern of the Teaching License
• The differing levels reflect the depth of the knowledge the teacher can impart; not, just, “Time in Grade”.
• Patriarche Grandmaster approves and signs all teaching certificates (licenses).
Instructor (Teacher’s License)
• Recipients must be at least a Samdan (3rd Degree Black)
• Meet IFAF federation requirements
• Be recommended by their Instructor or a higher license holder
• Meet the Patriarche Grandmaster approval.
Master Instructor (Master Teacher’s License)
• Recipients must be at least a Yondan (4th Degree Red/Black)
• Meet IFAF federation requirements(at least 1 Black Belt as a student)
• Be recommended by a 4th Dan or higher license holder
• Meet Patriarch Grandmaster approval.
Grandmaster Instructor (Grandmaster Level Teacher’s License)
• Recipients must be at least Nanadan(7th Degree Red/White) or higher
• Must meet IFAF federation requirements (at least 1 master instructor as a student)
• Be recommended by their Nanadan or Higher
• Meet Patriarch Grandmaster approval.
The procedure for processing of any Promotions, Licenses, and Memberships is as follows:
1.) The appropriate form should be properly filled out, a copy retained for the records of the submitting dojo
2.) The finished forms and photos, along with the appropriate fees in certified funds are to be mailed to the IFAF Administrative Headquarters in Gaston, South
Carolina.
Promotion certificates should be ordered well in advance for promotions to Que ranks. Promotions which require Patriarch Grandmaster review and approval
should be done at Patriarch Grandmaster visits. Sufficient time for processing, and mailing from Administrative Headquarters in Gaston South Carolina, has to
be considered on all Black Belt promotions. Promotions will be promptly processed and returned by first class mail, unless otherwise requested. Every dojo is
encouraged to have each and every member become an Individual Member of the Federation.
Promotional Authority
Only IFAF Certified and Licensed Black Belts are permitted to promote with an IFAF certificates. Instructor (Sandan) Licensed Instructors may promote Que
grades
within their respective dojo, only.
Sandan - Through Nidan
4th Dan Master Instructor: Licensed Instructors are permitted to promote up to and including the rank of Sandan.
6th Dan Master Instructors: Licensed Instructors are permitted to promote up to and including the rank of Godan.
The ranks of 4th Dan and above require Patriarch Grandmaster review and approval.
All promotions of 6th Dan and above, issuance of Master Instructor, or Grandmaster Licenses are to be made, only, by Patriarche Grandmaster.
Requirements for Promotion
The IFAF federation sets the standards for the material taught by its various members. What constitutes the requirements for rank is left to the discretion of the
IFAF and Dojo in the IFAF. Additionally, the federation only promotes those who are recommended for promotion by their respective Dojo. In an effort to
establish a measure of uniformity within the federation, the following membership and time guidelines have been established.
Federation Requirements: It is mandatory that ALL testing for a IFAF certificate or License must hold an Individual Membership and be in good standing with the
IFAF.
IFAF uniform policy is as follows white belt 9th Que thur 3rd Que red belt wears white uniforms and 2nd Que and 1st Que wears black uniform, shodan thur
sandan wears white trimmed in black and 4th dan and above wears black tops with white bottoms.
Recommend Belt System: White, Yellow, Orange, Green, Purple, Blue, Red, Brown, Dark Blue, Black, Black with Red Stripe(Master Belt), Red/White Blocks
(Grandmaster Belt)
Time Requirements:
Dan Color Stripe Min. Age Total Years Yrs Dan Instructor. License
Shodan Black None 15 5 n/a Asst Instructor
Nidan Black 1: ½ inch gold 17 7 2 Asst Instructor
Sandan Black 2: ½ inch gold 20 10 3 Instructor
Yondan Black w/ Red Stripe None 24 14 4 Master Instructor
Godan Black w/ Red Stripe 1: ½ inch gold 29 19 5 Master Instructor
Rokudan Black w/ Red Stripe 2: ½ inch gold 35 25 6 Master Instructor
Nanadan Red/White Blocks None 42 31 7 Grandmaster
Hachidan Red/White Blocks 1: ½ inch gold 50 39 8 Grandmaster
Kudan Red/White Blocks 2: ½ inch gold 59 48 9 Grandmaster
Judan Red/Black Sided None 69 58 Hon Grandmaster
It is the policy of the federation that IFAF Certified Instructor, Master Instructors and Grandmasters should:
• Operate his/her own unsupervised dojo or be involved in the promotion of the art through seminars, books, DVDs, federation involvement etc.
• However, Instructors Sandan, should, only teach under direct supervision of their Master Instructor, or Grandmasters.
Rank Accreditation: Only Patriarch Grandmaster has the right to issue IFAF License Certificates.
No IFAF Rank Certificate or Teacher’s License can be AUTHENTIC unless:
1.) It is approved by Patriarch Grandmaster
2.) It contains his signature;
3.) It has the IFAF Seal.
4.) IFAF rank accreditation of the following schools/organizations.
school, Perfection of the fundamental basics, i.e., stances, blocks, strikes, kicks and body movements, Mastery of patterns used within the IFAF and its
member associations and schools, Length of time in training, Development of control, precision, power, speed and form, Teaching ability and assistance
rendered to others, Progress through practical application of techniques, Physical Fitness, and Breaking
Each affiliated school shall hold a Black Belt promotional examination at least twice per year at the annual meeting. Any IFAF Instructor, once approved by
IFAF Headquarters, may promote IFAF members up to but not exceeding one grades below the Instructor's present rank. The quality, as well as the quantity
of material assimilated in the promotional criteria becomes more critical as the student is graded for a higher level of proficiency. When a new member, from
another organization, who presently holds a rank in any Martial Art, joins the IFAF, applicant must submit a copy of their present rank certificate. Consideration
shall be given those who are actively engaged in the promotion and expansion of this organization. Applications for promotions must be submitted by the
awarding instructor to IFAF Headquarters along with the proper promotional fee. All certificates of rank shall be mailed back to the Instructor that awarded the
ranks, to be signed by him/her and then issued to each student with a copy coming back to the HQ IFAF for our records. Promotions may be granted to IFAF
members only. TheIFAF Director may demote members in rank only. Members should not be allowed to test unless they are in the proper uniform and wearing
the IFAF patch.
Teaching Certificate Requirements
• Ability to effectively, efficiently and proficiently teach the required material is the main concern of the Teaching License
• The differing levels reflect the depth of the knowledge the teacher can impart; not, just, “Time in Grade”.
• Patriarche Grandmaster approves and signs all teaching certificates (licenses).
Instructor (Teacher’s License)
• Recipients must be at least a Samdan (3rd Degree Black)
• Meet IFAF federation requirements
• Be recommended by their Instructor or a higher license holder
• Meet the Patriarche Grandmaster approval.
Master Instructor (Master Teacher’s License)
• Recipients must be at least a Yondan (4th Degree Red/Black)
• Meet IFAF federation requirements(at least 1 Black Belt as a student)
• Be recommended by a 4th Dan or higher license holder
• Meet Patriarch Grandmaster approval.
Grandmaster Instructor (Grandmaster Level Teacher’s License)
• Recipients must be at least Nanadan(7th Degree Red/White) or higher
• Must meet IFAF federation requirements (at least 1 master instructor as a student)
• Be recommended by their Nanadan or Higher
• Meet Patriarch Grandmaster approval.
The procedure for processing of any Promotions, Licenses, and Memberships is as follows:
1.) The appropriate form should be properly filled out, a copy retained for the records of the submitting dojo
2.) The finished forms and photos, along with the appropriate fees in certified funds are to be mailed to the IFAF Administrative Headquarters in Gaston, South
Carolina.
Promotion certificates should be ordered well in advance for promotions to Que ranks. Promotions which require Patriarch Grandmaster review and approval
should be done at Patriarch Grandmaster visits. Sufficient time for processing, and mailing from Administrative Headquarters in Gaston South Carolina, has to
be considered on all Black Belt promotions. Promotions will be promptly processed and returned by first class mail, unless otherwise requested. Every dojo is
encouraged to have each and every member become an Individual Member of the Federation.
Promotional Authority
Only IFAF Certified and Licensed Black Belts are permitted to promote with an IFAF certificates. Instructor (Sandan) Licensed Instructors may promote Que
grades
within their respective dojo, only.
Sandan - Through Nidan
4th Dan Master Instructor: Licensed Instructors are permitted to promote up to and including the rank of Sandan.
6th Dan Master Instructors: Licensed Instructors are permitted to promote up to and including the rank of Godan.
The ranks of 4th Dan and above require Patriarch Grandmaster review and approval.
All promotions of 6th Dan and above, issuance of Master Instructor, or Grandmaster Licenses are to be made, only, by Patriarche Grandmaster.
Requirements for Promotion
The IFAF federation sets the standards for the material taught by its various members. What constitutes the requirements for rank is left to the discretion of the
IFAF and Dojo in the IFAF. Additionally, the federation only promotes those who are recommended for promotion by their respective Dojo. In an effort to
establish a measure of uniformity within the federation, the following membership and time guidelines have been established.
Federation Requirements: It is mandatory that ALL testing for a IFAF certificate or License must hold an Individual Membership and be in good standing with the
IFAF.
IFAF uniform policy is as follows white belt 9th Que thur 3rd Que red belt wears white uniforms and 2nd Que and 1st Que wears black uniform, shodan thur
sandan wears white trimmed in black and 4th dan and above wears black tops with white bottoms.
Recommend Belt System: White, Yellow, Orange, Green, Purple, Blue, Red, Brown, Dark Blue, Black, Black with Red Stripe(Master Belt), Red/White Blocks
(Grandmaster Belt)
Time Requirements:
Dan Color Stripe Min. Age Total Years Yrs Dan Instructor. License
Shodan Black None 15 5 n/a Asst Instructor
Nidan Black 1: ½ inch gold 17 7 2 Asst Instructor
Sandan Black 2: ½ inch gold 20 10 3 Instructor
Yondan Black w/ Red Stripe None 24 14 4 Master Instructor
Godan Black w/ Red Stripe 1: ½ inch gold 29 19 5 Master Instructor
Rokudan Black w/ Red Stripe 2: ½ inch gold 35 25 6 Master Instructor
Nanadan Red/White Blocks None 42 31 7 Grandmaster
Hachidan Red/White Blocks 1: ½ inch gold 50 39 8 Grandmaster
Kudan Red/White Blocks 2: ½ inch gold 59 48 9 Grandmaster
Judan Red/Black Sided None 69 58 Hon Grandmaster
It is the policy of the federation that IFAF Certified Instructor, Master Instructors and Grandmasters should:
• Operate his/her own unsupervised dojo or be involved in the promotion of the art through seminars, books, DVDs, federation involvement etc.
• However, Instructors Sandan, should, only teach under direct supervision of their Master Instructor, or Grandmasters.
Rank Accreditation: Only Patriarch Grandmaster has the right to issue IFAF License Certificates.
No IFAF Rank Certificate or Teacher’s License can be AUTHENTIC unless:
1.) It is approved by Patriarch Grandmaster
2.) It contains his signature;
3.) It has the IFAF Seal.
4.) IFAF rank accreditation of the following schools/organizations.
- International Sung Ja do Association
