Comments on: Black Belt Envy http://www.martialdevelopment.com/blog/black-belt-envy/ Martial arts for personal development Wed, 08 Feb 2012 07:51:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Rate this poem – Trapped in this world? | Learn perfect Vision and Improve your Eyesight http://www.martialdevelopment.com/blog/black-belt-envy/#comment-16092 Rate this poem – Trapped in this world? | Learn perfect Vision and Improve your Eyesight Fri, 30 Dec 2011 01:45:14 +0000 http://www.martialdevelopment.com/blog/black-belt-envy/#comment-16092 [...] Black Belt Envy [...] [...] Black Belt Envy [...]

]]> By: Tommy http://www.martialdevelopment.com/blog/black-belt-envy/#comment-15685 Tommy Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:11:15 +0000 http://www.martialdevelopment.com/blog/black-belt-envy/#comment-15685 good points there Anthony, I wasn't by any means putting down on his skills, but the time he has spent, if he has truly trained hard all those years and hasn't obtain a black belt, then to me something isn't kosher. I have been in shotokan for 16 years, and just this past may reached 5th dan. I have trained over 100 people to black belt, and if they didn't train hard they never make to that level. I have 6 of the students from the tae kwon do club, and one will be testing for black belt in 3 weeks, I did let him double belt once, because he was a brown belt ready for black when he came to me, he had trained for 6 years and he is good! Also Hamish, MMA maybe the wrong wording for this guys class, but I know a many who call any club that teaches multi style MMA, some say hybrid, or non-nontraditional. We're all martial artists, so why can't we all be proud of the other for all each has achieved? good points there Anthony, I wasn’t by any means putting down on his skills, but the time he has spent, if he has truly trained hard all those years and hasn’t obtain a black belt, then to me something isn’t kosher. I have been in shotokan for 16 years, and just this past may reached 5th dan. I have trained over 100 people to black belt, and if they didn’t train hard they never make to that level. I have 6 of the students from the tae kwon do club, and one will be testing for black belt in 3 weeks, I did let him double belt once, because he was a brown belt ready for black when he came to me, he had trained for 6 years and he is good! Also Hamish, MMA maybe the wrong wording for this guys class, but I know a many who call any club that teaches multi style MMA, some say hybrid, or non-nontraditional. We’re all martial artists, so why can’t we all be proud of the other for all each has achieved?

]]> By: YJD http://www.martialdevelopment.com/blog/black-belt-envy/#comment-15633 YJD Mon, 14 Nov 2011 05:54:43 +0000 http://www.martialdevelopment.com/blog/black-belt-envy/#comment-15633 The black belt is only a rough guide to show you have been doing the techniques long enough to understand the basics. Only when you achieve this level a few practitioners will go on to become very proficient. Anyone can progress through the black belt levels; however these should not be awarded on time but on dedication as well as obtaining skills to move into proficient ability. For example, any given student may be able to execute a side kick however just to be proficient and as close as one can be to an expert is well into the black belt levels. It is easy to pick out a proficient martial artist when you see one as they are far and few between. These guys or gals do not practice the normal 2 or 3 hours per week with their clubs they would at least double this practice time training at home with repetition of techniques and extra stretching year after year. Many black belts and instructors fall short of this standard. The black belt is only a rough guide to show you have been doing the techniques long enough to understand the basics. Only when you achieve this level a few practitioners will go on to become very proficient. Anyone can progress through the black belt levels; however these should not be awarded on time but on dedication as well as obtaining skills to move into proficient ability. For example, any given student may be able to execute a side kick however just to be proficient and as close as one can be to an expert is well into the black belt levels. It is easy to pick out a proficient martial artist when you see one as they are far and few between. These guys or gals do not practice the normal 2 or 3 hours per week with their clubs they would at least double this practice time training at home with repetition of techniques and extra stretching year after year. Many black belts and instructors fall short of this standard.

]]> By: Will Smith http://www.martialdevelopment.com/blog/black-belt-envy/#comment-15630 Will Smith Mon, 14 Nov 2011 03:44:09 +0000 http://www.martialdevelopment.com/blog/black-belt-envy/#comment-15630 Students need to be less concerned with how long it takes to develop their skills and more concerned with the effort they apply to acquiring them, this and one's natural ability will determine amount of time to reach an advanced level. Students need to be less concerned with how long it takes to develop their skills and more concerned with the effort they apply to acquiring them, this and one’s natural ability will determine amount of time to reach an advanced level.

]]> By: Anthony M Clark http://www.martialdevelopment.com/blog/black-belt-envy/#comment-15624 Anthony M Clark Sun, 13 Nov 2011 20:36:03 +0000 http://www.martialdevelopment.com/blog/black-belt-envy/#comment-15624 In response to William Mabin and Tommy, its possible William isn't being ripped off. I concur there isn't a set amount of time to obtain a black belt, and black belts mean different levels of proficiency in different arts; I believe we can all agree on this. It's possible William is quite exceptional with whatever belt he is wearing and would be able to obtain a black belt with Tommy in less than 32 months, if his skill sets and ability to perform the requirements are up to Tommy's standards. No offense meant, but it's also quite possible that Tommy's black belts wouldn't be awarded a black belt in a different school (it's also quite possible they are exceptional black belts). I find it distasteful whenever I hear a timeframe set upon earning any belt. However, I believe Tommy is simply indicating the average time frame to obtain a black belt for hard charging students. There are students who come to class diligently and practice well and advance rapidly, and there are students who don't. There are also arts and teachers that require more from their students, and as Tommy points out, there are teachers who rip their students off. All black belts are not equal. Question to William Mabin is do you feel like you've learned anything and can you fight (or defend yourself, or perform adequately)? Do you feel the standards of your school are adequate for making a martial artist or are they too low? Have you asked your teacher why you haven't progressed to black belt yet and do you know what elements you are missing? v/r AMC In response to William Mabin and Tommy, its possible William isn’t being ripped off. I concur there isn’t a set amount of time to obtain a black belt, and black belts mean different levels of proficiency in different arts; I believe we can all agree on this. It’s possible William is quite exceptional with whatever belt he is wearing and would be able to obtain a black belt with Tommy in less than 32 months, if his skill sets and ability to perform the requirements are up to Tommy’s standards.

No offense meant, but it’s also quite possible that Tommy’s black belts wouldn’t be awarded a black belt in a different school (it’s also quite possible they are exceptional black belts). I find it distasteful whenever I hear a timeframe set upon earning any belt. However, I believe Tommy is simply indicating the average time frame to obtain a black belt for hard charging students.

There are students who come to class diligently and practice well and advance rapidly, and there are students who don’t. There are also arts and teachers that require more from their students, and as Tommy points out, there are teachers who rip their students off.

All black belts are not equal.

Question to William Mabin is do you feel like you’ve learned anything and can you fight (or defend yourself, or perform adequately)? Do you feel the standards of your school are adequate for making a martial artist or are they too low? Have you asked your teacher why you haven’t progressed to black belt yet and do you know what elements you are missing?

v/r
AMC

]]> By: Hamish http://www.martialdevelopment.com/blog/black-belt-envy/#comment-15525 Hamish Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:44:41 +0000 http://www.martialdevelopment.com/blog/black-belt-envy/#comment-15525 Chuck C: I agree fully. The general concensus is that once the black belt is awarded then it can be hung over the fire place and thats the end of it. A close minded approach that too many people share regarding recieving a reward and resting on your laurels. Chuck C: I agree fully. The general concensus is that once the black belt is awarded then it can be hung over the fire place and thats the end of it. A close minded approach that too many people share regarding recieving a reward and resting on your laurels.

]]> By: Hamish http://www.martialdevelopment.com/blog/black-belt-envy/#comment-15524 Hamish Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:37:30 +0000 http://www.martialdevelopment.com/blog/black-belt-envy/#comment-15524 Steve C you are an idiot. What you are training in is a correlation of different styles, you have a muddled black belt. Well done. MMA itself is not a graded concept, its not even a "Martial Art". Its a functional develoment of a variety of styles. There is no MMA style. Jukido-kempo is what you have attained a "Black Belt" in not MMA. Steve C you are an idiot. What you are training in is a correlation of different styles, you have a muddled black belt. Well done. MMA itself is not a graded concept, its not even a “Martial Art”. Its a functional develoment of a variety of styles. There is no MMA style. Jukido-kempo is what you have attained a “Black Belt” in not MMA.

]]> By: Tommy http://www.martialdevelopment.com/blog/black-belt-envy/#comment-15519 Tommy Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:12:50 +0000 http://www.martialdevelopment.com/blog/black-belt-envy/#comment-15519 William, your being ripped off if you trained all that time and still no black belt, it only takes my students 32 months to first black, sounds like your in a money racket class, they use to be a club a few miles from mine, they charge $85 a month and tested only ever 12 months, well times that by 7 belts to black, mine tests every 4 months and cost $30 a month. they finally shut down, i have some of their students, and unfortunately you do have to start over, i teach karate, they taught tae kwon do. i hope you obtain your black soon from a decent martial arts club, best wishes! William, your being ripped off if you trained all that time and still no black belt, it only takes my students 32 months to first black, sounds like your in a money racket class, they use to be a club a few miles from mine, they charge $85 a month and tested only ever 12 months, well times that by 7 belts to black, mine tests every 4 months and cost $30 a month. they finally shut down, i have some of their students, and unfortunately you do have to start over, i teach karate, they taught tae kwon do. i hope you obtain your black soon from a decent martial arts club, best wishes!

]]> By: William Mabin http://www.martialdevelopment.com/blog/black-belt-envy/#comment-15499 William Mabin Tue, 01 Nov 2011 22:23:43 +0000 http://www.martialdevelopment.com/blog/black-belt-envy/#comment-15499 What I find frustrating is that there is no universal meaning to having a black belt. I did Taekwondo for 5 years and Muay Thai and Kickboxing for another 3 years. I have done a total of 15 gradings, some of them very grueling, yet I have not reached black belt even though both kickboxing and Taekwondo share certain similarities. If you go to another federation or slightly different style you will have to start from scratch all over again. I want a black belt to teach martial arts but it seems it will take me about ten years! What I find frustrating is that there is no universal meaning to having a black belt. I did Taekwondo for 5 years and Muay Thai and Kickboxing for another 3 years. I have done a total of 15 gradings, some of them very grueling, yet I have not reached black belt even though both kickboxing and Taekwondo share certain similarities. If you go to another federation or slightly different style you will have to start from scratch all over again. I want a black belt to teach martial arts but it seems it will take me about ten years!

]]> By: Jonny http://www.martialdevelopment.com/blog/black-belt-envy/#comment-14957 Jonny Wed, 17 Aug 2011 20:27:16 +0000 http://www.martialdevelopment.com/blog/black-belt-envy/#comment-14957 why worry over a belt you say? why go to college and worry over a degree than. you attend karate class with the notion of obtaining a black belt ranking. Just last April, I earned my fourth dan, alot of people say isn't that enough, the answer is no. why worry over a belt you say? why go to college and worry over a degree than. you attend karate class with the notion of obtaining a black belt ranking. Just last April, I earned my fourth dan, alot of people say isn’t that enough, the answer is no.

]]>