Nunchaku​ Testing Syllabus 

 
This is a printable guide which shows the rank requirements to advance to each specific 
rank in GMAU Nunchaku. Use this as a study guide, and also for when you are filming your 
rank exam videos. Note: Testing requirements are subject to change, always double-check 
the testing requirements on the “Testing” page when you click “Take the Test.”  
Yellow Chevron Rank Requirements 
 
Stances 
● Ready 
● Attention 
● Front 
● Back 
● Horse 
   
Grips 
● High (short) 
● Middle (medium) 
● Low (long) 
   
Single Nunchaku 
● Simple up 
● Simple down 
● Side swing 
● Front switch  
● Inward figure 8 
● Outward figure 8 
● Outward figure 8 strike (2x) 
● Inward figure 8 block (4-6x)   
● Front strike  
● Side strike  
● Around the neck part 1 (ATN1) 
   
Combinations 
1. Outward figure 8 strike, inward figure 8 block, simple up, front switch (continue on 
other side) 
2. Inward figure 8 block, outward figure 8 strike, front strike, simple up (continue on 
other side) 
3. Side strike with around the neck, simple up, front switch (continue on the other side) 
4. Side strike with around the neck, front strike with around the neck, simple up, front 
switch (continue on both sides) 
5. Outward figure 8 strike, front strike, simple up, front switch, side strike with around 
the neck, simple up. (continue on the other side) 
  
Forms 
● Blitz kata 
 
Ability Requirements 
● 50 front switches in one minute 

©2020 Global Martial Arts University and Hodgy LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Eligibility Requirements 
 
● Complete all Assignments in the Yellow Chevron level. 
● Minimum Training Hours: 24 Hours 
 
Test Instructions 
 
Demonstrate all yellow chevron testing requirements listed above.  
 
● The test is to be one continuous video from start to finish, without taking breaks. If 
you have to upload more than one video due to space restricts this is okay, but it is 
one full exam. 
● Verbally state the name of each item before you demonstrate it. 
● Demonstrate all single nunchaku techniques twice on both sides from 5 different 
angles (facing the camera, left 90°, right 90°, left 45°, and right 45°). 
● Demonstrate all stances, footwork and combinations twice on both sides from 3 
angles (facing the camera, left 90°, and right 90°). 
● Demonstrate the Blitz kata twice (from the front and a side angle). 
● Demonstrate the ability requirements once. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   

©2020 Global Martial Arts University and Hodgy LLC. All Rights Reserved.
 Green Chevron Rank Requirements 
   
Footwork 
● Side step 
● Step & turn  

   
Single Nunchaku 
● Inside strike 
● Outside strike 
● Diagonal strike 
● Back switch  
● Around the neck part 2   
● Downward arm switch 
● Lateral over-under 
● Up and hold 
● Front kick (holding chuk under arm) 
● Striking with closed chuks (8 angles) 
● Closing the chuks 
   
Blocks 
● 8 blocking angles 
   
Combat Strikes 
● Forehand (Inside) 
● Backhand (outside) 
● Downward (circular)  

Forms 
● Shuffle kata 
  
Combinations 
1. Front strike, back switch, simple up, side strike (continue on the other side) 
2. Lateral over under, back switch, back switch (continue on other side) 
3. Diagonal strike, downward arm switch (continue on other side) 
4. Right outward figure 8 strike, front kick left leg, right front strike, simple up, front 
switch, (continue on other side) 
5. Left leg in front, right side strike with around the neck, simple up, around the neck 
part 2, simple up, front switch as back foot comes up to front foot, step through 
(continue on other side) 

Ability Requirements 
● 40 back switches in one minute 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

©2020 Global Martial Arts University and Hodgy LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Eligibility Requirements 
 
● Complete all Assignments in the Green Belt level. 
● Minimum Training Hours: 36 Hours 
 
Test Instructions 
 
Demonstrate all green chevron testing requirements listed above.  
 
● The test is to be one continuous video from start to finish, without taking breaks. If 
you have to upload more than one video due to space restricts this is okay, but it is 
one full exam. 
● Verbally state the name of each item before you demonstrate it. 
● Demonstrate all single nunchaku techniques, blocks and combat strikes twice on 
both sides from 5 different angles (facing the camera, left 90°, right 90°, left 45°, and 
right 45°). 
● Demonstrate all footwork and combinations twice on both sides from 3 angles 
(facing the camera, left 90°, and right 90°). 
● Demonstrate Shuffle kata twice (from the front and a side angle). 
● Demonstrate the ability requirements once. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   

©2020 Global Martial Arts University and Hodgy LLC. All Rights Reserved.
 Blue Chevron Rank Requirements 
   
Footwork 
● Forward broken triangle 
● Reverse broken triangle 
● Step up and back   

Single Nunchaku 
● Reverse around the neck  
● Reverse inward figure 8 
● Reverse outward figure 8 
● Lateral under-over 
● Downward same side switch 
● Hand roll 
● Triangle strike 
● Reverse back switch  
● Closing the chuks 2 (side strike, outside strike, in fig 8, out fig 8) 
   
Double Nunchaku 
● Simultaneous inward figure 8 (same side and mirror) 
● Simultaneous outward figure 8 (same side and mirror)  
● Alternating diagonal strikes 
● Alternating triangle strikes 
   
Combat Drills 
1. Forehand strike with step up and back footwork  
2. Backhand strike with step up and back footwork 
3. Downward strike press forward/back 
4. Forehand strike to downward strike 
5. Forehand, downward, backhand strike 

Forms 
● Dragons kata 
  
Combinations 
1. Downward switch, same side downward switch, downward switch (continue on other 
side)  
2. Outward figure 8, hand roll, reverse outward figure 8, hand roll (repeat continuously) 
practice the same thing on other hand 
3. Inward figure 8, hand roll, reverse inward figure 8, hand roll (repeat continuously) 
practice the same thing on other hand 
4. Diagonal strike to around the back, overhead strike to lateral under over, up and hold, 
downward switch (continue on other side) 
5. Around the neck part 1, reverse around the neck, simple up, front switch, around the 
neck part 2, simple up, front switch, (continue on other side) 

Ability Requirements 
● 50 forehand combat strikes in one minute 
● Must be able to strike a target and control ricochet with all combat strikes 
 

©2020 Global Martial Arts University and Hodgy LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Eligibility Requirements 
 
● Complete all Assignments in the Blue chevron level. 
● Minimum Training Hours: 40 Hours 
 
Test Instructions 
 
Demonstrate all blue chevron testing requirements listed above.  
 
● The test is to be one continuous video from start to finish, without taking breaks. If 
you have to upload more than one video due to space restricts this is okay, but it is 
one full exam. 
● Verbally state the name of each item before you demonstrate it. 
● Demonstrate all single and double nunchaku techniques twice on both sides from 5 
different angles (facing the camera, left 90°, right 90°, left 45°, and right 45°). 
● Demonstrate all footwork, combat drills and combinations twice on both sides from 
3 angles (facing the camera, left 90°, and right 90°). 
● Demonstrate the Dragons kata twice (from the front and a side angle). 
● Demonstrate the ability requirements once. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   

©2020 Global Martial Arts University and Hodgy LLC. All Rights Reserved.
 Brown Chevron Rank Requirements 
   
Footwork 
● Step and swing 

Single Nunchaku 
● Sideways figure 8  
● Over the head around the neck 

Double Nunchaku 
● Alternating cross strikes 
● Alternating outward figure 8 strikes 
● Double strikes 
● Double diagonal strikes 
● Adjust the chuks (triangle strike and side swing simultaneously)  
   
Combat Drills 
1. Forehand strike, high/side block, around the head forehand strike 
2. Downward strike, downward strike, high block, forehand strike 
3. Downward strike, side block, backhand strike 
4. Side Block, forehand strike, downward strike, high/side block 

Forms 
● Double Dragons kata 
 
Combinations  
1. Right and left triangle strikes, right and left diagonal strikes, right and left outward 
figure 8 strikes  
2. Right and left outward figure 8 strikes, right and left diagonal strikes, right and left 
triangle strikes, right and left cross strikes 
3. Half combo​ (out fig 8 strike & cross strike simult. then adjust the chuks) 
4. Speed technique​ (two alter. triangle strikes, adjust the chucks) 
5. Full combo​ (half combo, double strikes, two cross strikes, half combo) 
 
Ability Requirements 
● 40 alternating triangle strikes in one minute (that's 80 strikes total) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

©2020 Global Martial Arts University and Hodgy LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Eligibility Requirements 
 
● Complete all Assignments in the Brown chevron level. 
● Minimum Training Hours: 46 Hours 
 
Test Instructions 
 
Demonstrate all brown chevron testing requirements listed above.  
 
● The test is to be one continuous video from start to finish, without taking breaks. If 
you have to upload more than one video due to space restricts this is okay, but it is 
one full exam. 
● Verbally state the name of each item before you demonstrate it. 
● Demonstrate all single and double nunchaku techniques twice on both sides from 5 
different angles (facing the camera, left 90°, right 90°, left 45°, and right 45°). 
● Demonstrate all footwork, combat drills and combinations twice on both sides from 
3 angles (facing the camera, left 90°, and right 90°). 
● Demonstrate Double dragons kata twice (from the front and a side angle). 
● Demonstrate the ability requirements once. 
 
 
 
 
 
   

©2020 Global Martial Arts University and Hodgy LLC. All Rights Reserved.
 Red Chevron Rank Requirements 
   
Footwork  
● Step and swing with half combo 

Grips 
● Pencil grip 
 
Single Nunchaku 
● Wrist roll 
● Figure 8 with hand switch (out & in) 
● Over the head outside strike 
● Over the head inside strike 
● Side spin to pencil grip 
   
Double Nunchaku 
● Weave  
● Double over the head strikes 
● Alternating over the head strikes 
   
Combat Drills 
● Block 8 angles with left and right counter strikes 

Forms 
● Ultimate kata 
 
Combinations 
1. Be able to do an outward figure 8 with one hand and an inward figure 8 with the 
other (both sides) 
2. Double strikes, alternating over the head strikes…. 
3. Full Combo Boxed off 
4. Reverse combination​ (half combo, double strikes to front, two cross strikes to the 
rear, adjust the chucks as you step through and inward figure 8 back to the front) 
5. Over the head inside strike, overhead outside strike, pass behind the back, repeat 
 
Ability Requirements 
● 20 hand rolls in a row on both sides without dropping the chuks 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

©2020 Global Martial Arts University and Hodgy LLC. All Rights Reserved.
 
Eligibility Requirements 
 
● Complete all Assignments in the Red chevron level. 
● Minimum Training Hours: 52 Hours 
 
Test Instructions 
 
Demonstrate all red chevron testing requirements listed above.  
 
● The test is to be one continuous video from start to finish, without taking breaks. If 
you have to upload more than one video due to space restricts this is okay, but it is 
one full exam. 
● Verbally state the name of each item before you demonstrate it. 
● Demonstrate all single and double nunchaku techniques twice on both sides from 5 
different angles (facing the camera, left 90°, right 90°, left 45°, and right 45°). 
● Demonstrate all footwork, combat drills and combinations twice on both sides from 
3 angles (facing the camera, left 90°, and right 90°). 
● Demonstrate the Ultimate kata twice (from the front and a side angle). 
● Demonstrate the ability requirements once. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   

©2020 Global Martial Arts University and Hodgy LLC. All Rights Reserved.
 Black Chevron Rank Requirements 
   
Single Nunchaku 
● Shuffle step, jump front snap kick 
● Finger roll 
● Pencil grip toss 
  
Double Nunchaku 
● Double hand rolls 
● Weave with toss 
● Wheel spin  
   
Forms 
● Ultimate combination kata 
● Create your own single nunchaku kata 
  
Combinations 
1. Spin and swing​ (inward fig 8, alternating out fig 8 strikes, alternating cross strikes, 
adjust the chucks, double strikes, alternating cross strikes, adjust the chucks) done in 
two circles 
2. Double around the neck (twirl)  
3. Half combo, double strikes-alternating over the head strikes, right/left cross strikes. 
opposite side half combo 
4. Reverse hand roll, finger roll, simple up, front switch repeat 
5. Reverse hand roll, wrist roll, side spin to pencil grip, toss, repeat continuously 
 
Ability Requirements 
● 90 front switches in one minute 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   

©2020 Global Martial Arts University and Hodgy LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Eligibility Requirements 
 
● Complete all Assignments in the Black chevron level. 
● Minimum Training Hours: 64 Hours 
 
Test Instructions 
 
Demonstrate all black chevron testing requirements listed above.  
 
● The test is to be one continuous video from start to finish, without taking breaks. If 
you have to upload more than one video due to space restricts this is okay, but it is 
one full exam. 
● Verbally state the name of each item before you demonstrate it. 
● Demonstrate all single and double nunchaku techniques twice on both sides from 5 
different angles (facing the camera, left 90°, right 90°, left 45°, and right 45°). 
● Demonstrate all footwork, combat drills and combinations twice on both sides from 
3 angles (facing the camera, left 90°, and right 90°). 
● Demonstrate the Ultimate combination kata and your own personal made single 
nunchaku kata twice (from the front and a side angle). 
● Demonstrate all previous chevron levels forms once each from the front. 
● Demonstrate the ability requirements once. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GMAU Nunchaku Instructor Certification 
 
Requirements 
 
● Enroll and complete the C​ ertified Martial Arts Teacher​ course. (you must hold 
a minimum of black belt in some martial arts style to enter this course) 
● As a CMAT™, you are certified to teach any martial art that you hold at least a 
black belt rank in. 
 

©2020 Global Martial Arts University and Hodgy LLC. All Rights Reserved.