Imagine pushing yourself to the edge of your physical and mental limits, giving everything you have, and then realizing only an hour has passed in a grueling five-hour test. This is the reality of our Krav Maga student tests. These trials demand not only physical endurance but also unparalleled mental resilience.
Recently, Team 2 and Team 3 had the privilege of participating in one of these infamous five-hour examinations—a challenge both feared and respected.
The most common question we hear after our Krav Maga test from family, friends and church member is. “How was the test?”
Our reply: “It was tough.”
These three simple word is only way we could articulate the pain, exhaustion, and discipline it takes to endure. Swelling, soreness, black eyes, dehydration, busted lips, torn tendons, and even broken bones—this is the price each of us had paid in the past few year during these tests to prove ourselves.
A Krav Maga student test is no ordinary challenge. It includes:
• A comprehensive evaluation of the current belt curriculum.
• Realistic scenarios testing strikes, defenses, grappling, and transitions.
• Live sparring elements simulating high-pressure environments.
These tests demand precision, controlled aggression, speed, and stamina—all while maintaining proper technique. While the length varies by belt level, they are universally recognized as physically and mentally grueling.
For those who pass, the reward isn’t just a new belt—it’s a deeper understanding of their strength, determination, and capabilities.
Team 2: Level 3 Test
A few weeks ago, Team 2 tested their Level 3 knowledge. Team 1, consisting of Level 3 Instructors, volunteered (or were “volun-told”) to partner with Team 2 during the exam. Our Head Training Instructor, Sam Pike, believed Team 1 involvement would create a positive energy in the room—and he was right.
For Team 1, the test was tough but in a different way. They wanted to be great partners, ensuring Team 2 had the challenge they needed while also pushing them to thrive. After 18 months of instructing these students on their techniques, Team 1 was both physically and emotionally invested in their success.
Team 2 rose to the occasion. With Team 1 alongside them, they were motivated to excel. The result? An incredible test, and every member passed, advancing to the next step: Phase A Instructor Certification.
Team 3: Level 2 Test
Team 3’s test was unique. The youngest student was a 19-year-old college student studying to become an Athletic Trainer. The oldest was a 62-year-old retired grandmother recovering from a knee injury. Despite these differences, their team spirit was unmatched.
At the four-hour and forty-five-minute mark, their performance defied exhaustion. Their kicks were as powerful, their punches as sharp, and their defenses as aggressive as they had been in the first 30 minutes. The focus in the room was tangible—you could cut the tension with a knife.
When the test concluded, the entire team collapsed on the floor in exhaustion. As the Grading Instructors left the room to evaluate the results, the atmosphere shifted within seconds. Laughter and jokes replaced the tension:
• The Youth Pastor who tested checked on his two former youth ministry students.
• The School Principal and mother who tested joked while caring for others.
• The team’s grandmother began cleaning and lovingly tending to everyone.
As the photographer and note-taker for this newsletter, I watched this scene unfold and felt deeply emotional.
In that moment, I understood why Pastor Higgason had chosen these individuals for Team 144. They are people who love what they do—individuals who can punch someone in the face during a test and then embrace them with love afterward.
Congratulations, Team 2 and Team 3!
Your resilience and dedication are an inspiration to us all. You embody the spirit of Team 144 and show that strength and compassion go hand in hand.
Dec 13, 2024