taurus12

That makes sense to me. I can't see them handing out blackbelts without knowing the material and testing first

I would be interested to know which ATA school gives someone a blackbelt just because they said they were a blackbelt in another style. Certificate or not you can't be a blackbelt in Songham Taekwondo without attending any classes. Now they may give you a lower rank if you can show that you are capable and know some of the forms kicks etc. No ATA school should give out a blackbelt based on the fact that they are a blackbelt in a different style. Even the gratest Karate blackbelt would have to show he can do all of the required forms ,blocks kicks and punches As for the money, if you are held back you still have to pay for the next testing so the school isn't losing anything. I don't know a parent who would want their childs to get their next belt if they haven't earned it. You pay to learn Karate. You don't pay for your rank

thanks. I was a bit nervous but I got through it

Thanks

I got my first degree blackbelt recommended last night. It was great!

Yes my instructor tries very hard to make us and the school the best. I overheard one of the kids fathers saying that our instructor is not letting his son test for his first degree blackbelt decided because he didn't feel he was ready. I feel bad for the kid but I am happy that my instructor will not give out blackbelts unless he feels the student deserves it. That is why I try to make sure my 6 1/2 year old son knows his material. Thanks for the congratuations and for the good luck. I'll let you know how I did.

My instructor is doing a good job. He really cares about his students and he is great with the kids. At my school once you go to Red/Black (they call it first degree black belt recomended) it takes another 6 months to go to first degree black belt decided. Then you get the I and your name on your blackbelt. Actually I am testing for my recomended black belt tomorrow. At my school they give you a solid black belt. They don't use the red/ black belts. Unless they changed it and I don't know about it.

Our instructor just wants to make sure everyone is ready and is proficient at their form and kicks before they move to the next belt. He does not want to run a black belt factory as many ATA schools have been accused of. Please don't think I am accusing your school of being a blackbelt factory because that is not my intention. I am just trying to explain what my instructor is thinking about Our previous instructor did not have the adults midterm, so you went from Brown to Red in 2 months and Red to blackbelt recomended in 4 months (some students went from Red to Blackbelt recomended in 2 months but I only know 3 people that did that). My current instructor seems to be following the original guidelines more closely than my previous one.

You get charged every time you test for a new belt. The fee is $60.00 They give you a new belt and a video to learn the new form. If you midterm meaning you don't advance to the next belt you just get a stripe then you pay half. At my school they do not have you midterm until Brown belt (unless you are a child, then there are more midterms)but that may be changing. When you get to Brown belt you have to do at least 2-3 midterms before you get to red and 2-3 midterms until you get to first degree blackbelt recommended. They have different programs as well. The basic program is only good for a few months and then you must upgrade. At my school the Blackbelt club will get you to Brown Belt. The Masters club will get you to first degree Blackbelt decided and the Leadership program will get you to 3rd degree Blackbelt decided. In leadership there is a leadership class where you learn extra things such as grappling and you do more weapons training. If you want to go higher then 3rd degree then you have to go through instructor certification. we learn the sword, numchucks, bo staff and Kamas, and the smaller stick as well

I met chief Master Clark at Blackbelt testing Last year. He is a nice guy. He owns the school I belong to in Florida

First be prepared and know your material. Then when you begin pick a spot on the wall you are facing and just concentrate on that. Do not worry about anyone looking at you. If you make a mistake just continue with the next move. Once you get started you won't think about you is watching you. Good luck!

I believe chief Master Clark had a hand in developing the ATA forms