Demoted?

[G95champ]

Never seen it happen. Seen a few people in class from other schools that I would like to take ranks from. However I don't think rank can ever be taken away. If they were good enough to get it in the first place then I don't think anyone can take it away. ? is was they good enough lol... But no I wont take rank from anyone espically if I gave it to them.

With that said when people come into our school from other school sometimes they may have a belt or kuy that is differant than our system and we judge their ability and place them in our club where the belong. (same style)

If its a differant style you start from scratch but we still respect the rank you held in reguards to ability not order or kata.

[GhostlySykanRyu]

A friend of mine trained under my Sensei years ago and attained the rank of Brown Belt (2 Black Tabs)...he plans on coming back this summer as a white belt. Very admirable.

[aefibird]

he is happy for me to remain at my present grade

That alone tells me there is no reason to do it... but if you feel you don't deserve it, it may be better for yourself mentally to do it again.

I would take the test again. This way you can remove all doubt.

Well, it's not really a case of feeling like I don't deserve it - I worked hard to get it the first time round - it's just that I feel I'd like to be tested by my own sensei and actually achieve the rank from someone I trust and respect, not someone who is simply in it for the £££. I'm still undecided about what to do. I may just keep my own grade and re-test next time Sensei holds a grading.

Anyway, thank you all for your comments. I really appreciate them.

[lucifersdad]

hi,

ive been down graded or demoted a couple of times, when i was young and stupid (or rather younger and more stupid!) the first time i went from 4th kyu to 8th kyu for showboating whilst fighting at my club, but was given it back quite quickly when i had seen the error of my ways and the last time was from shodan to 2nd kyu for being very disrespectful to my instructor (and lets leave it at that!)

ive also had the pleasure of down-grading my own students but always for good reason, unfortunately im under the rules of a cheif instructor so i cant down-grade some people that id really like to!

i think if its used properly it can really help turn a student around, but ive also seen it backfire quite badly!

[PrideampPoise]

..it's just that I feel I'd like to be tested by my own sensei and actually achieve the rank from someone I trust and respect...

Of course there's probably no "right" answer, but I personally wouldn't do the re-test. Your sensei that you respect has told you that you deserve the rank you have, so that should be all there is to it, imho.

Since you respect him, his word should be good enough, just like it would be with any other student.

On top of that, I assume you'll be testing at some point for further promotions, so that should also cover any previous material as well, correct?

I'm personally a believer in the idea that the teacher makes the call about when somebody is ready to test or learn something new, not the student. That would go for a demotion or re-test in your case as well. If my teacher doesn't see the need for it, who am I to question him?

I don't think we should get to caught up in belt colors, and should instead just focus on improving ourselves, letting our teacher decide about what belt we should have. While your case is not the typical "I want to get promoted faster" case, its still the same principle. Just focus on your own self-improvement and trust your teacher to make the call. (And tell him that's what you are doing)

Imho, for what that's worth.

[ncole_91]

However I don't think rank can ever be taken away. If they were good enough to get it in the first place then I don't think anyone can take it away. ? is was they good enough lol... But no I wont take rank from anyone espically if I gave it to them.

I Do not agree with this, what if they were really good and did deserve to get their rank, but then started to slack off. If they started to be rude, showboat, or start forgetting different techniques.

[solar_kid]

How does such a demotion feel? Well, I ought to know! I was the one taking the test. Two of the people on the panel knew exactly what transpired, but were too afraid to tell the sabumnim about exactly what had happened. At first, I felt disappointed, and then for a short while, rather irritated that someone else's mistakes cost me, but I dealt with it, and moved on.

Grendadier, I applaud you. Life simply isn't always fair. Sometimes, people make decisions without all the facts, and other people simply make the wrong decisions. I feel like, too often, our expectation of fairness clouds our better judgment. Senseis and professors are human too and can make mistakes. You believed in yourself and moved on. That's an example of character that I hope I can emulate.

[ninjanurse]

I once witnessed a young 2nd degree BB lose his belt wile he was assisting at a test. The Master Instructor himself took it away!!!! Of course he would have had the opportunity to earn it back but we never saw the kid again. I myself have never had to demote a student but I have denied advancement-usually for character/behavior problems.

[MASIsshinryu]

closest thing I've seen was when one of our black belts forgot his belt at home after a trip back there. He decided to wear the only belt he had, a white one, and train with the white belts, get in their line, etc. All the white belts were amazed at how good this new white belt was, while the people who knew him just laughed.

I always keep my trusty white belt in the same bag as the black one. I think of it as a reminder of how it was to be a beginning student and what it has taken to get where I am. I also wear it if I work out at another dojo (like when I travel) , regardless of style or affiliation. I don't even ask about wearing another belt, I just throw on the white and get into line with them. Interesting what you see, hear and experience doing this. Yes, I do talk with the sensei beforehand.

[AnonymousOne]

In our school we have regular belt tests. These are similar to gradings.

Its a test to ascertain if a student is maintaining the standards expected of him/her.

If they are not up to scratch, they can lose their grade and go down a belt.

Its our schools way of maintaining high standards.