jaymac

I do think that promoting kids to black belt is individualized. I am against 9 and 10 year old black belts. There can be some ways around it though, since I do believe that black belt is the beginning of learning. I saw in a century magazine, black belts with different colored stripes in the center (like yellow stripe, blue stripe etc...) I would once a young student earns a junior black belt, make them relearn each colored level and nearly perfect it. So say a 13 year old junior black belt wants to advance from Black belt with white stripe to black belt with yellow stripe, he would have to prove that he was fantastic at those basic techniques. I do have to say that we have a 16 year old shodan at our school who is amazing. He trains non stop and shows fantastic technique. He deserves the rank he has, more than some adult black belts at our school. He is mature, humble, and can teach effectively. That is why I am on the ledge here with my answer. Some kids are ready for shodan at earlier ages. If they are deserving, age should not matter.

I hated the Karate Kid when I first watched it. Mostly because it took a long time and hard training for me to earn a black belt and this movie made it look easy. However, years of watching it (and why did I keep watching it if I hated it--I don't know) I have actually come to appreciate it somewhat. It did alot for martial arts. The increase in MA interest among children, teens, and adults alike was huge after that first movie. For years also, I think there was somewhat of a negative image regarding MA, and I kind of think those movies helped clear that up.

I think that there are alot of inexperienced minds at work by calling every school (dojo) system that is not comparable to their own "mcDojo". Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of schools out there that can fall under that catagory. Tell me how much you think it costs to open a school on non traditional class days to test up to 100 - 150 students. People including the test takers are in the dojo for hours using the restrooms and restroom products, water, heat or air conditioning, electricity, and we have a pizza party at the end. If there was not a minimal testing fee per student, we could not have such a memorable day for these individuals. Instructors could not take time from their own jobs to participate in conducting tests. We are not charging an arm or a leg here. $15 - $25 per person (depending on what color belt they test for) is not asking too try to keep some excitement in a students career in a dojo.

Thanks for that Brandon I have been looking for a place to do some translation for me.

I too have never been in a serious fight (kid stuff only), and I have taken years of martial arts. I do think that walking away from a situation is best, however, I do not plan to allow any type of martial arts ego stand to fight someone with a gun. Hey if he wants my money without confrontation, then I am going to give it to him. I figure he is just as scared as I am. Unfortunately though, it is not always our choice to walk away. If I have to defend myself, I am glad that I at least have my experience in the MA.

You really don't need anymore information about this guy than you already got. He has not really trained in Kung Fu. He absolutely would be able to tell you his style and his instructor. At 9 years old, I could tell you that I took Hung-Gar and Kun Tao Kung-fu. He is just trying to impress you. My bets are he isn't training at all anymore. If you really like him, invite him to take classes at your dojo.

Can you believe that people do that? I mean belts will age on their own. I would not want to purposely fray my belt.

If you had the opportunity to do anything at all in the world, what would it be? I would travel to every Major League Baseball stadium in one season and watch a game and eat as much as possible at each stadium.

Has anyone ever watched Ghost hunters on Sci Fi? They are awesome. They try to debunk ghost stories and most of the time they do, but there have been some episodes where they actually have gotten proof that a place is haunted. I wish they would go to England and get on that other show with that Derek Acorah and debunk his "paranormal encounters."

Easiest job that pays well: Toll booth person. I can stick my arm in and out the window all day.

I have loved the sabres for so long. I am going to a game on April 5th to see them play against the Ottawa Senators. I am they can beat them this time.

I haven't seen it, but now I am going to rent it when it comes out and watch it with my nephews. Thanks.

That is awesome. I have had a few students say similar things. It makes me feel good and then it makes me feel old.

Cream egg flurry, oh that sounds awesome! Easter is coming around again. Happy Easter everyone.

Honestly, I do not have any negative thoughts about the south, but I do agree that alot of people in northern areas or larger cities tend to think that people from the south are poorer and less intelligent. They also think everyone in Fla. is over the age of 60. Personally, I think that I would have loved to grow up in Louisiana and enjoyed everything about that lifestyle. Unless there are large spiders there.

I bet that taught him a lesson. Do not ask for volunteers from the audience anymore. What a hot shot! Nice job!

The worst and funniest from a relative: "I am so ugly, you look just like me." I did nothing, I said nothing. I was used to this type of comments. I still laugh about it all the time.

Armor of God, you didn't name your kid Green lantern did you?

Jeet kun do, those pictures were awful. I would have had a heart attack. God spiders are awful. I am actually going to get a couple of bat houses for my yard in hopes that they will eat the spiders.

That is what my original post was about. Shotokan practitioner entering a chinese type martial art and wearing their black belts. I have watched a few classes and they are truly misrepresenting themselves in this school as black belts. The people who have obviously been training from white belt look more advanced than these guys.

If your instructor feels you are ready to test and be a blue belt, you should test. Entering the tournament at your level will only test you further. There will always be tournaments. You are essentially saying you are willing to watch your classmates rank ahead of you so you can represent white belt well at a tournament. Tournaments are alot of fun, a great learning experience, and supposed to be challenging.

Being a self motivator in the MA is a plus. But it is nice to have a dojo with an awesome instructor and fellow students who also motivate. It is a family like atmosphere at our dojo and everyone wants to see each other do well.

If you love TKD so much, continue your training. Visit some kung fu schools and maybe cross train. Black Belt is only the beginning.

I know that some schools do rank their student too quickley. That is what mom and dad want - a six year old black belt. So with money, mcdojo complies. I worked hard for my rank. I know I earned it. That is what is most important. Those (students old enough to realize) who receive a rank that was just handed to them without their full effort, will know it themselves.

Good luck!