What having a black belt means

[ShotokanKid]

What is your personal opinion on what having a black belt means? How long do you think a person should study before becoming one?

- I think having a black belt demonstrates having a good understanding of basics.

- I think one should train for 3-5 years before becoming a black belt. Someone I know can get a black belt in another year, having trained for 1 year. I don't think 2 years is enough.

What do you think?

[Aodhan]

What is your personal opinion on what having a black belt means? How long do you think a person should study before becoming one?

- I think having a black belt demonstrates having a good understanding of basics.

- I think one should train for 3-5 years before becoming a black belt. Someone I know can get a black belt in another year, having trained for 1 year. I don't think 2 years is enough.

What do you think?

Your mileage may vary. Some people who really learn and soak up well, as well as practice every day could be ready in a year. Others may need to work for 3 or 4 years to achieve the same level of competency. If you could spend 4 hours a day, 5 days a week, that's about 1000 hours in a year. I think an average blackbelt probably has about 6-700 hours under his belt (No pun intended. )

To me, having a black belt means that I understand the basic core concepts, and am ready to expand my knowledge in the art. It's like getting a college degree, once you have it, you are ready to start really learning your career.

Aodhan

[d16turbohonda]

I wish i could comment on this thread about a black belt but I feel that I am to new to Karate to give a real heartfilled thought to it with such little experiance.

[Belasko]

depends on the person and the instructor. I have seen people that after a couple years are getting very close to being what I would consider a bb level and others that have had that level for years but could be beaten by a skilled beginner. If you need a good idea of what it means to have a BB see my post signature.

[CQC]

I agree with Aodhan, the time it takes to obtain one may vary.

If the person is highly skilled and actually puts the time in, I wouldn't expect him/her to get the belt the same time as another student who joined the dojo at the same time, but only went to class once a week for say 3 years.

I honestly feel there's no rush. I'm confident with my current skill level, the belt being a bonus to what I feel I've achieved. I could have the skills of a blackbelt but not have any interest for testing for my blackbelt. I know what my skill level is, regardless of what belt I wear inside the dojo.

[Bleeding Lion]

i dont know exactly what it means, im not a black belt.

let me go about what i think it should represent:

- you've mastered the basics. notice i didnt say "learned" but "mastered".

- you can apply these basics in a fight, real life situation or sparring sessions. you can apply them correctly and get results. Not that a bb means you win everything but i thing you should be able to give a good fight to at least people of your size.

- you can correct people of lower grades. not necessarily teach, but you can be an assistant for example.

- you learned all the values your institution promotes (respect, perseverance...etc)

[vertigo]

I'd have to agree with most of what's been said above.. (1 year?? that sounds like a very short amount of time; but if you're working on it literally every day for hours on end... I guess you never know)

I heard my sensei mention this once about becoming a black belt, and I kind of like it : "Once you get a black belt, congratulations! Now you're ready to learn."

[Straight Blast]

What is your personal opinion on what having a black belt means?

A fashion trend.

[scottnshelly]

It's like getting a college degree, once you have it, you are ready to start really learning your career.

Aodhan

Great metaphor; I'd like to expand on it a little. There are colleges of varying degree. To earn a degree at a community college is easier and takes less time than it would at a larger, more prestigious university. Also, Instructors vary. One person might train regularly for a year to obtain the same rank as someone at a different Dojo that trains intensely for three years. The standards are different, but in the end, we all gaze at the same moon (or however that goes).

[Sam]

I like the college / uni analogy, all i would say is there is more than just a physicaly side to being a black belt, so there is necessary levelof maturity that goes with it...

time wise - 3-5 years would be reasonable.