How long SHOULD it take for your black belt?

[Balrog]

My students are quite used to hearing me say that someone needs to cook a little longer, they're not quite done yet.

[EternalRage]

Haven't really revisted this thread for a while, but some great discussion on this topic. I agree with the contention that it comes down to a matter of quality versus quantity. There are drawbacks to setting up a belt system to solely either, and since it is a versus issue, trying to resolve them against each other in some sort of compromise would be very difficult.

The only option I see is to abolish the practice alltogether. It has been already stated that many schools use the belt system as a way to make money. As for its worth as an organizational tool for a large amount of students, tournaments, etc, the meaning behind belts has become so scattered that whatever potential benefit has been utterly destroyed.

Ideally I'd say pulling a Jerry Maguire would be best, narrowing down the clientele list to a few, teaching a few, getting to know their skills, POTENTIAL, and rate of growth, and evaluating them from there. Would result in better instructors too, because then they'd be focusing on a better professional relationship with their students as well.

Rantings of a guy at 3 AM inflicted by insomnia.

(very Jerry Maguireish indeed

[CTTKDKing]

My school has a testing date once a month. When you are ready for it the instructor gives you a rank promotion form for you to fill out, and you test on that months testing date. Everyone tests on different scheduals though. Some people have the time to take class everyday 6 days a week, som can only go 2 times a week. Obviosly the ones who go 5 or 6 times a week tests much quicker that the others. I personally go 3-4 times a week and my instructor told me that if I keep practicing at home regularly and keep attending class 3-4 times a week than I can probably expect to test for BB in about 3 years from when I started. However if you only come 1-2 times a week but you still put in a good effort than it can take 4-5 years or more depending on you.

[foofies]

how about some1 who takes privte lessons?? can he earn the black belt in a year and half?? or it sounds funny??

[Mr. Mike]

also, think about time spent practicing, not just taking the classes. I take usually 2 hours of class per week, but practice much more than that. My training has recently been put on hold due to relocation, but that is ironing itself out decently enough. In the meantime, since I can't get to class, I simply run through my techniques(in the air of course, but better than not at all) and kata to keep myself on track.

I was set to get my BB in just about 2 years, and that was after taking several months off in the course of my training, due to dislocations/illness. Now, it may take closer to 3. Is that a decent time? Not for the average newby to MA. Not in my opinion anyway. I came into it with 3 different disciplines under my belt though. So, the basics were fairly decent, just needed to tweak for my particular system.

Still, I feel that a person should resign themselves to at least 4 years for a well rounded BB in any striking system(just talking generalities here). The real training, however, should be for life.

[shogeri]

how about some1 who takes privte lessons?? can he earn the black belt in a year and half?? or it sounds funny??

I agree that the basic understand is:

1. Private lessons are the fastest way to learn the martial arts.

2. Through private lessons you can attain a higher skill level in a shorter time frame.

3. The best method of learning is to go to regular classes, and take two or private lessons a month.

18 months of private training could very well yield a black belt in what I teach. However, it would still be very grueling and or demanding task, both physicall and mentally. It would be drenched in two man fighting drills, and single person skill training as well. They would have to put in 5 to 8 hours a day of their own time in addition to the 2 hours a day 3 to 4 times a week from me. They would have just a Black Belt, not a shodan, or higher, or even instructor certification...

Later!

[Balrog]

how about some1 who takes privte lessons?? can he earn the black belt in a year and half?? or it sounds funny??

As I have stated before, there is an integral element of training that is based on time. Sure, anyone can learn to punch and kick and memorize all the forms and one-steps from White Belt on up, and they can probably do it in a year or so. But that doesn't make them a Black Belt. There is an aging and maturity process involved.

Go back and read my analogy of the oven. I think that says it all.

[frightmaster]

how about some1 who takes privte lessons?? can he earn the black belt in a year and half?? or it sounds funny??

I think if you devote yourself to private lessons you can probable learn what you need to (punches, kicks, blocks and forms) and know them very well. But what would you be good at with fighting? I learn so much more when I fight different people. If I fought the same person, granted a Master, I will not learn to fight a person of different sizes or even sexes. Personally I have a problem fighting a woman which I get over when she hits me once, but that is another story.

I learn from various people and not jsut from one which I feel is best.

[tkdman102088]

I believe that the amount of time for a student to reach black belt should be around 5 to 7 years...students who reach blackbelt in two years are a joke...not to offend anyone. I have been doing tkd for 2 and a half years and i am a brown belt...and a fast learner. It takes much longer than two years to gain a bb because you have to learn a life long process of modesty, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit. Also to develop sound techniques it takes training, to develope speed it takes training, to develop the ability to block multiple fast attacks without warning of them, and finally as in my school our balckbelts are teachers and learners alike...who devote themselves to tkd and their students...a two year bb cannot develop this regardless of how much he or she trains or how good they are at learning. It takes TIME!

[MartialArthur]

I believe that the amount of time for a student to reach black belt should be around 5 to 7 years...students who reach blackbelt in two years are a joke...not to offend anyone. I have been doing tkd for 2 and a half years and i am a brown belt...and a fast learner. It takes much longer than two years to gain a bb because you have to learn a life long process of modesty, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit...

Wow, I must be an awesome instructor because I can train a black belt in about 2.5 - 3 years, and they are definitely not a joke. Maybe some instructors are not as capable.

If it is truly a "life long process", then even 5 - 7 years is not long enough.

Being a black belt is a lifelong process, earning one is not. The black belt should not be the culmination of one's training, rather it should be a step along the way. Most serious (lifelong) martial artists earn their blackbelt rather early in their careers. The argument of 2 vs 3 vs 5 or more years is trivial on the whole.

...just my opinion