Dan pre-examination seminars
The Finnish Aikido Federation strives to organize six dan pre-examination seminars every year. The main goal of these seminars is to support the development of dan-level trainees of member clubs and their preparation for dan examinations. For each of the 1st to 4th dan exams, the trainee must have participated in two pre-exam seminars before each examination, e.g., in 1st dan participation in two and between 1st and 2nd dan participation in two more pre-exam seminars. Register for the seminars separately through the Federation web-site.
These seminars offer tools for analyzing and developing one's own technique and shed light on the assessment criteria for dan graduations. At least two members of the Technical committee always work as coaches at the seminars. This enables individual teaching and the use of different teaching methods in a supportive atmosphere. These seminars are aimed especially at those who are planning to take the dan exam in the near future and at 1st kyu – dan level instructors of member clubs. The Technical committee recommends the 3rd kyu level as the lower limit for participation.
Pre-exam seminars are two-day events, and the organizing club chooses 2-3 themes to be explored during the them. In this way, it is easier for the trainees to choose the pre-exam seminar that deals with topics that are currently of interest for them, and for the club to offer its members education on issues currently important to them. The Technical committee is happy to accept proposals for themes for these seminars from clubs applying for the seminars. These seminars can include or not include dan examination depending on wishes of the organizing club.
The technical committee suggests the following as possible themes for pre-exam seminars:
- Current dan level for the club and participants (1st-2nd dan, 3rd-4th dan)
- Principles applied in basic techniques
- Jiyuwaza
- Kaeshiwaza
- Principles and differences between kihonwaza (basic technique) and oyowaza (applied technique).
- Taninzudori
- Weapons techniques included in dan examinations
The themes covered at the seminars are presented in the announcements for each pre-exam seminar.