juddmvp

I have been debating this in my own mind for some time, and I have really enjoyed the subject. There have been some great contributors. Here are some things I have considered on wether or not to promote kids to a full black belt rank: 1. If a child in your dojo has a colored belt such as a brown belt, is the belt completely brown, or do you consider it a Junior Brown Belt? I have never thought about this until recently, but it seems to me that if you are saying a kid can get a full color belt, and not call it a junior belt, then why not a full black belt? 2. I am about 5' 10" and I have a fellow martial artist I study with that is 6' 5" and I have a really hard time getting inside to hit him (not that I can't but it is really difficult). For me the concept I have been going over is that a person needs to be judged against their own abilities and skills of improvement, not on that of another. For example Raymond Daniels in a sport karate situation could kick my butt, and if we compare me to him it would seem like I didn't earn my belt. We need to look at each person case by case. Athletic people are in one category, but un-coordinated people will be in a much different category. Each person in the arts needs to stretch their physical and mental capabilities. For me that is the ultimate goal of belt promotions, did you stretch who you were from the last promotion, and did you learn something that expanded your mind and repertoire. Just my 2 cents