FREE
daily Instructor: Dr. Patrick RichardAbout this Course
Mastery of Foundational Stances and Footwork
Correct Anatomical Alignment in Core Stances
- Detailed understanding of skeletal alignment in stances such as Horse Stance (Kiba-dachi), Front Stance (Zen Kutsu Dachi), and Back Stance (Kokutsu Dachi). This includes the precise positioning of the spine, pelvis, and limbs.
- Analysis of the impact of incorrect alignment on joint health, power generation, and stability. Focus on preventing common injuries due to improper stance.
- Practical drills for achieving and maintaining correct alignment, using self-assessment techniques and partner feedback.
Efficient and Powerful Footwork Patterns
- Mastery of various footwork patterns, including shifting (Yori-ashi), stepping (Okuri-ashi), and turning (Kaiten-ashi), emphasizing speed, agility, and balance.
- Application of footwork in offensive and defensive maneuvers, covering entry techniques, evasions, and circular movement strategies.
- Detailed drills to improve footwork speed and agility, focusing on reaction time and coordination. Advanced techniques for chaining footwork patterns to create seamless transitions.
Advanced Striking Techniques
Refining Hand Strikes for Maximum Impact
- In-depth study of advanced hand strikes, including reverse punch (Gyaku-zuki), knife-hand strike (Shuto-uke), and elbow strikes (Empi-uchi). Focus on power generation, target accuracy, and structural integrity.
- Understanding of the biomechanics of striking, covering concepts such as kinetic linking, bodyweight transfer, and the use of gravity to amplify force.
- Practical drills for refining striking technique, incorporating focus mitts, heavy bags, and partner work. Emphasis on precision, timing, and controlled power.
Mastering Leg Strikes for Diverse Applications
- Comprehensive instruction in advanced leg strikes, including roundhouse kick (Mawashi-geri), side kick (Yoko-geri), and back kick (Ushiro-geri). Focus on flexibility, balance, and controlled execution.
- Application of leg strikes in self-defense scenarios, covering targeting vulnerable areas, such as the legs, groin, and abdomen.
- Detailed drills for improving kicking technique, using kicking shields, Thai pads, and partner work. Emphasis on speed, power, and accuracy.
Expert Level Grappling and Clinch Work
Superior Takedown Offense and Defense
- Comprehensive understanding of a variety of takedowns from wrestling, judo, and other grappling arts. This includes single-leg takedowns, double-leg takedowns, hip throws, and sacrifice throws.
- Detailed defense against common takedowns, emphasizing sprawl technique, hip positioning, and the use of frames to create space.
- Practical drilling and sparring sessions focusing on takedown entries, takedown defense, and transitions between standing and ground positions.
Proficient Ground Control and Submission Holds
- Advanced instruction in ground control techniques, including maintaining dominant positions such as mount, side control, and back control.
- Mastery of a range of submission holds, including joint locks (arm bars, kimuras, omoplatas), chokes (rear-naked choke, triangle choke, guillotine choke), and leg locks (ankle locks, knee bars, heel hooks).
- Detailed study of submission defense techniques, covering escapes from various positions and counters to common submission attempts.
Weaponry Mastery and Defense
Proficient Bo Staff Handling and Application
- Mastery of fundamental bo staff techniques, including strikes, blocks, thrusts, and spins. Focus on fluid movement, control, and power generation.
- Application of bo staff techniques in self-defense scenarios, covering disarming techniques, crowd control tactics, and close-quarters combat strategies.
- Detailed instruction in advanced bo staff forms (kata), emphasizing precision, rhythm, and the integration of defensive and offensive movements.
Knife Defense Tactics and Disarming Techniques
- Comprehensive instruction in knife defense tactics, including evasion, blocking, and disarming techniques. Emphasis on situational awareness, risk assessment, and the use of improvised weapons.
- Practical drills focusing on knife defense scenarios, covering both static and dynamic situations.
- Detailed study of knife anatomy, attack patterns, and the psychology of knife attackers. Ethical considerations regarding the use of force in self-defense situations.
Advanced Kata Analysis and Application
In-Depth Understanding of Kata Principles
- Detailed analysis of advanced kata, including the historical context, philosophical principles, and practical applications of each movement.
- Deconstruction of kata sequences into individual techniques, focusing on the underlying principles of biomechanics, leverage, and timing.
- Application of kata techniques in sparring scenarios, adapting traditional movements to modern combat situations.
Practical Application of Bunkai (Kata Analysis)
- Mastery of bunkai (kata analysis) techniques, including identifying hidden strikes, grappling maneuvers, and joint locks within kata sequences.
- Development of practical applications for bunkai techniques in self-defense situations, adapting traditional movements to realistic scenarios.
- Detailed study of advanced bunkai concepts, including multiple attacker scenarios, weapon defenses, and the use of environmental factors.
Course Features
Honorary Certification
Receive a certificate before completing the course.
Expert Instructor
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Study Schedule
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Multilingual Support
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Frequently Asked Questions
For detailed information about our Martial Arts Black Belt Certification course, including what you’ll learn and course objectives, please visit the "About This Course" section on this page.
The course is online, but you can select Networking Events at enrollment to meet people in person. This feature may not always be available.
We don’t have a physical office because the course is fully online. However, we partner with training providers worldwide to offer in-person sessions. You can arrange this by contacting us first and selecting features like Networking Events or Expert Instructors when enrolling.
Contact us to arrange one.
This course is accredited by Govur University, and we also offer accreditation to organizations and businesses through Govur Accreditation. For more information, visit our Accreditation Page.
Dr. Patrick Richard is the official representative for the Martial Arts Black Belt Certification course and is responsible for reviewing and scoring exam submissions. If you'd like guidance from a live instructor, you can select that option during enrollment.
The course doesn't have a fixed duration. It has 28 questions, and each question takes about 5 to 30 minutes to answer. You’ll receive your certificate once you’ve successfully answered most of the questions. Learn more here.
The course is always available, so you can start at any time that works for you!
We partner with various organizations to curate and select the best networking events, webinars, and instructor Q&A sessions throughout the year. You’ll receive more information about these opportunities when you enroll. This feature may not always be available.
You will receive a Certificate of Excellence when you score 75% or higher in the course, showing that you have learned about the course.
An Honorary Certificate allows you to receive a Certificate of Commitment right after enrolling, even if you haven’t finished the course. It’s ideal for busy professionals who need certification quickly but plan to complete the course later.
The price is based on your enrollment duration and selected features. Discounts increase with more days and features. You can also choose from plans for bundled options.
Choose a duration that fits your schedule. You can enroll for up to 6 days at a time.
No, you won't. Once you earn your certificate, you retain access to it and the completed exercises for life, even after your subscription expires. However, to take new exercises, you'll need to re-enroll if your subscription has run out.
To verify a certificate, visit the Verify Certificate page on our website and enter the 12-digit certificate ID. You can then confirm the authenticity of the certificate and review details such as the enrollment date, completed exercises, and their corresponding levels and scores.
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How to Get Certified

Complete the Course
Answer the certification questions by selecting a difficulty level:
Beginner: Master the material with interactive questions and more time.
Intermediate: Get certified faster with hints and balanced questions.
Advanced: Challenge yourself with more questions and less time

Earn Your Certificate
To download and share your certificate, you must achieve a combined score of at least 75% on all questions answered.