SMAA Policies

We do not take the responsibility of evaluating and certificating a martial artist or style lightly. Although the integrity of some ranks awarded by other martial arts associations, federations, governing bodies, and martial arts organizations have been somewhat questionable, this sort of corruption will not happen on the SMAA’s watch, regardless of all other factors! We have strict criteria that must be met and yet we remain as open minded as any martial arts association, federation, governing body, or martial arts organization (legitimate organization, that is, not a diploma mill!) in existence.

Each SMAA club leader or instructor may use the rank criteria that he chooses. For informational purposes, some of the rank requirements used by various SMAA members can be viewed here.

While all SMAA members are free to rank their students using whatever belt rank system they wish, the belt rank system that the SMAA recommends using is as follows:

(All dan rank holders may wear a black belt if they prefer)

In very rare instances, the ranks of 11th and 12th degrees may be awarded posthumously to the founder (12th degree) and his successor (11th degree) of legitimately recognized systems, providing they reached the level of 10th degree during their lifetime. These ranks may only be awarded by unanimous vote of the Yudansha Taigu.

PLEASE NOTE:

We do not wish to circumvent the traditional teacher/student relationship in any way. If an individual is currently under the guidance of an instructor, the SMAA will only work with that individual once we have the express consent and blessing of his/her instructor.

The SMAA encourages the highest level of loyalty to one's instructor and seniors. Please don't ask us to undermine this loyalty by going behind your instructor's back to explore possible rank evaluation, promotion and certification - we will never knowingly work with another instructor's students unless given permission to do so by that instructor.