CMATOS System

Getting Started

All rank and material can be found under the CMATOS system Belts and Ranking Requirements on the menu above. Underbelts are belt ranks 10 kyuu through Jun Ichi Dan (White belt through red belt with a black stripe). Black belt ranks (dan) are found under the black belt requirement pages. If you don’t know where to start, go to the Underbelt page, click on the white belt lessons, and start studying the material there. If you know what you are looking for, you can skip directly to the material by using the navigation menus above.

In addition to CMATOS material, we also provide material in many other styles. Please click on the menu above to learn more about the different styles we offer through CMATOS.

Course of Study

All CMATOS students should start off by studying the Master 8 Fold form. This is the basis for all techniques and materials throughout all ranks. This form will be the foundation for future study, and is why all levels are expected to demonstrate the form.

Each belt level has a curriculum of lessons available from both the under belts page (Click on the “LESSON” link for the level you are studying for), as well as the main belt ranking page. You can study the lessons directly in sequence, or jump directly to the material for review from the under belt or requirement pages.

Each belt level contains the following curriculum and material. Click on the individual under belt Lesson pages for a more detailed requirement list.:

  • Further practice of the Master 8 Fold Form
  • 8 Self Defense Techniques Hakko Goshin Jutsu (八護身術)
    • 4 Empty Hand Self Defense Techniques Yonko Karate Goshin Jutsu (四空手護身術)
    • 1 Defense against a Gun – Kenjuu Goshin Jutsu (拳銃護身術)
    • 1 Defense against a Knife – Hamono Goshin Jutsu (刃物護身術)
    • 1 Defense against a Club or Stick – Tanbou Goshin Jutsu (短棒護身術)
    • 1 Situational Defense – Kakuto Goshin Jutsu (格闘護身術)
  • 8 Fundamental concepts and movements
    • These are presented during the Shokyū Denshi levels, refined during the Chūkyū Denshi levels, and mastered during the Jōkyū Denshi levels.
  • 1 Form/Kata(形) – (Black Belts will have further form and technique requirements)
  • Depending on the rank, there will also be required a thesis paper or research report on one of the fundamentals of the belt levels being tested

The Master 8 Fold Form

For instructions on the Master 8 Fold form, please refer to the menu link for more information.

Timelines

Dedicated students should see the following timeline in their ranking. These are just general numbers, students who study harder and more times per week will see their skill improve at a similar rate, while those students who do not spend as much time practicing will see their time in rank increase. There are no hard and fast time in rank requirements, nor are there any age requirements for any of the ranking structures. It is all based on student proficiency with the art. If the student can demonstrate mastery of all the cumulative skills and shows the necessary level of aptitude with the skills, they will be promoted.

Because all levels are cumulative, it is expected that the students skill in their earliest material is the most masterful while that of their current level not as mastered. If they speed through the levels, eventually they will reach a stopping point where their skill and mastery will need to catch up with them, and until they are able to demonstrate the proficiency of both current and previous materials, they will remain at their current rank.

  • Time between different Shokyū Denshi (初級弟子) ranks 2-4 months
  • Time between different Chūkyū Denshi (中級弟子) ranks 4-8 months
  • Time between different Jōkyū Denshi (上級弟子) ranks 9-18 months
  • Time between Dan rankings normally takes 1 year per Cumulative Dan rank
    • Example:
      • 1 Dan -> 2 Dan : 1 Year
      • 2 Dan -> 3 Dan : 2 Years
      • 3 Dan -> 4 Dan : 3 Years
      • 4 Dan -> 5 Dan : 4 Years
      • 5 Dan -> 6 Dan : 5 Years
      • 6 Dan -> 7 Dan : 6 Years
      • 7 Dan -> 8 Dan : 7 Years
      • 8 -> Mastery : 8 Years
  • Average time from White Belt to Black Belt: 4 Years
  • Average time from White Belt to Master: 32 Years

Accessibility

CMATOS is primarily targeted at individuals who are physically capable of performing the movements within the system. This normally refers to having full range of motion with all body parts and joints, and not limited in their physical capability to perform the techniques.

HOWEVER self-defense is something that all individuals can benefit from studying from, and CMATOS does not discriminate on the basis of any physical or mental challenge. CMATOS is designed to be flexible and able to be applied by all individuals in all situations. Are you bound by a wheelchair? This just means that your techniques need to focus on your arm movements, and maneuverability of your wheelchair. Missing limbs – this just means that your other limbs will need to perform double duty. As CMATOS instructors we are very interested in seeing how you can adapt CMATOS to your specific needs.

ANYONE CAN ACHIEVE RANKING IN CMATOS. Regardless of their individual situation. Please contact us so we can work with you on a course of study which meets your needs.