I want to do a new style

[aefibird]

I'd suggest that you stick with Shotokan. There's plenty that you can learn between now and when you'll be eligable for 2nd Dan. However, if you're only in the arts for the belts/grades, you'd probably be better off dropping Shotokan altogether and going to another styles, preferably one that will allow you to advace faster.

 

If you're looking for a martial art to take as well as Shotokan, I'd suggest one of the Filipino Martial Arts, or Ju-Jitsu (BJJ or JJJ would both complement Shotokan training) or Aikido. However, I think that you'd be better off sticking with what you know and trying to perfect your techniques. Staying with your chosen art, even though you can't grade, will show maturity and dedication to it. After all, you've trained for 5 years - if you gave up now, it'd be like you were throwing all your hard work and training away!

 

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[Karate-addict]

I do karate for 9 years now, it took me 7 years to get to shodan, I had my brown belt for 3 years before my sensei gave me the permition to take the exam for black belt. Why? Because he was testing me if I was patienced enough, that is karate's most desarible virtue, patience.

 

Besides, you now have two years to improve your basics, become stronger, you can work on your speed etc. I hope you get my point. It's not about your rank, it's about your ability.

 

P.S. I rather be a shodan that can kick sandan's * then a sandan getting his * kicked by a shodan.

[delta1]

I understand what those of you who advise him to stay with Shotokan and perfect it are saying. And there is some merit to that point of view. However, I think it could be very bennificial to expand his experience and knowlege base with another system. Especially now while he's young and full of energy. If he eventually comes back to Shotokan, which apparently is his plan, he'll have a whole different view of his system, and a lot better understanding of it as well. I understand that to those who are in an art for tradition and self improvement only might think this is herasy. But not everyone wants just that focus. If he's interested in another system, for whatever reason, I think it would be a good thing to take some time off and study something else.

[Karate-addict]

Sure, I agree with you on that. I just hope he knows that if he goes and studys a different M.A. and after 2 years comes back to Shotokan, he will probably not be a nidan candidate.

[MenteReligieuse]

If he has the time and money (grrrr, where is the time where you can just go live at your master's home and do like housework for him instead of paying? ), he could continue shotokan and just try something else at same time.