Can ANYBODY earn a black belt?

[Shorinryu Sensei]

Granted yes, any BB should be able to defend themselves...and yes, not in ALL situations. I've been at this for 30+ years now, but could I defend myself against Mike Tyson? Doubtful. My only hope would be the fear enduced energy in my legs to get me out of there! And I probably couldn't out run him for long either!

 

As I cited earlier with my example of Brandon Bennett...he was a good sparring fighter, but couldn't fight well on the street. When he came to that realization himself, he left the arts. Dojo sparring has little relevence I believe, to actually being able to defend yourself. if you, as the instructor..watching the student every class, hve confidence taht the student is where you want them to be in their training and skills, and have confidence that those skills can be translated and used on the streets in a fight against an average person in a fight (average being subjective of course), then I have no problem with promotions by anybody to a black belt level, as I feel that is one of the requirements that I personally want in a black belt.

 

I also stated in an earlier post that I know a number of BB's, all from the same system, with different instructors and dojo's, that feel that the training they have recieved isn't going to do them much good in a street encounter. Yet these people all do well at tournaments usually, some having more trophies sitting around their house then they have room for. So why don't they feel confident that tey can prevail in a real fight with no rules??? And if they don't, then why, IMO, are they wearing a black belt?

 

tkdBill...we're probably never going to agree on this, and that's fine. Every organization or dojo has their own standards and beliefs as to what the requirements should be for a person to be promoted to each rank. We don't have to agree on this, and I respect your opinion. I feel anybody that is willing to put in the work required can reach black belt level eventually. It might, like Rod C., take a long time...but I'm sure he will get there eventually. I keep waiting for the night that there will be this great white light come flowing out of his forehead that says..."I GOT IT FINALLY!!!"

[tkdBill]

Shorinryu Sensei:

 

I'm not sure that we actually disagree. I believe that anyone has the potential to earn a BB, especially Rod C., who keeps on trying and learning. It is only those who quit when it gets too hard that cannot be BB's.

 

I don't expect my students sparring ability to be the sole or even the most important part of passing the BB test, nor is it the most important part of self-defense, just one component.

 

They must also learn and demonstrate forms, one steps, self-defense techniques, and proper mental attitude.

 

The Black Belt is just the beginning of their serious training. The more they continue to train and learn, the more capable they will become.

 

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