sakurakaratekai

Hi Depends really on the organisation - some would insist you start again but most would evaluate your current capabilities before grading you to what they felt would be in line with the standard of their existing students. I'm assuming that one day you would like to take a dan grade or maybe teach, so you may see dropping down a few grades as a backward step. In my opinion if you were to keep the grade you were awarded 20 years ago it would mean a long time stuck on that belt and would not provide you with realistic targets i.e. taking regular gradings. As such would not provide you with the neccessary motivation required to reach your ultimate goal. It is easy to get "bogged down" with grades and belt colours - it is more important to know your own capabilities and acheivements, and more importantly enjoy your practice. Sorry, can't give any particular advice on the KUGB as I practice Wado Ryu myself . Good luck in your future training.

Hi bushido_man96 If im honest if I was really worried about students quitting if I failed them, it would be time to hang up my Belt and Gi. Hopefully they would respect me and the reasons why they failed, and that would motivate them to work harder towards retesting. Sadly in todays society, kids (and some adults) are used just turning up for things and getting a medal or a prize for just "taking part". School teachers seem to concentrate on teaching the less gifted kids than encouraging the brighter kids to acheive more. It is also seems that they cannot praise their brighter kids as they are marginalising the less intelligent kids by exclusion - that or breaching their human rights. Unfortunately constantly praising and rewarding under-achievers that doesn't sit at all well within the framework of Traditional Karate. In a nutshell - yes the fact that they may quit would be in the back of my mind. But would I still fail them - absolutely. Beacause in my opinion there really is no excuse for lack of effort no matter what the age of the student. Its inevitable that some students will quit if failed but at least I won't have to spend months and years investing time and effort in them when they can't be bothered themselves. At least then I can spend my time teaching the students who turn up every week, listen attentively and train hard - thus raising the standard of Karate practiced in the Dojo. Thats my opinion anyway, any thoughts?

I think around 5th Kyu myself, but may be later for kids below 12 yrs. Kicking and punching should start to give a satisfying "snap" and throwing techniques/holds can be done without ripping those flimsy ties!

I have wrestled with this problem many times and eventually came to a bit of an uneasy compromise. We conduct gradings 3 times a year and provided the student has met the criteria (minimum training time) we consider them for selection. Provided that we as instructors have done our job correctly, theoretically everyone should be able to demonstrate to the required standard and therefore pass. Unfortunately this falls down as some (mainly younger) students, no matter how enthusiastic and motivational his or her instructor is, just decide to coast through lessons for whatever reason. These students will not be selected for grading and the reasons given to their parents - if they don't want to learn why waste money on bringing them and waste instructors time? While instructors are constantly trying to get their attention they are neglecting the needs of the more attentive students. None of us want to end up providing a baby sitting service. Students who scrape gradings are usually told exactly that and more effort, concentration etc is required or they will miss/fail their next grading. We usaully wait a few weeks before doing this so they get to "enjoy" their new grade without demotivating them. We do fail several students over the course of the year, but before doing so we assess if it is in their and the clubs best interest. For example - If you have invested time and effort in someone over several years and then fail them for whatever reason they may give up. If we believe the failure will give them the kick up the backside they need, it may be a valuable lesson for them. We never charge for retests as we dont believe in making profit on the back of someone failing a grading. I would suggest if everyone who takes a grading expects to pass that that may be counter productive, so that is why failures are an important part of gradings. Unless of course money is the motivator. We try to instill the idea that belts are never given - they are earned through each individuals hard work and practice. Such a shame that kids these days are used to turning up and getting a certificate or an award. Shame that life is not like that. Just my opinion.

Hi I have two Blitz White Diamond Heavyweight Karate Suits that I like the look of and feel realy comfortable in. Really soak up all that sweat LOL Its a traditionaly cut suit and is decent quality and affordable. It also comes with 2 sets of trousers. A shorter pair with draw waist for kata and a longer elasticated pair for kumite. The jacket is extra long and looks great either in the club or at competitons. The ties are very strong and substantial and will not rip of if you are grabbed or thrown. It was also the choice suit of the late great Tatsuo Suzuki Sensei http://www.blitzsport.com/Adult-White-Diamond-Karate-Suit?sc=8&category=2253622