little black belts

[IcemanSK]

you mean the original green ranger - tommy? he was a tad older then he looked. Back then, he was about 19 or 20. He played a high school student on the show though. However, he's still too young to be a 6th degree bb, which is what he is now..

6 degree at 20? Apparently MA is no longer requiring a lifetime of learning. Maybe that's the way it should be. I wonder who his instructor is?

I think Tommy Franks is in his late 20's. I don't know that he's a 6th Dan. But he bought his 1st school franchise at 17. He has a school near me. I know some folks who have trained with him. He was older than 17 when he starred in Power Rangers.

[bushido_man96]

I have noticed that most styles have a two month testing cycle. So, in most 9 or 10 belt systems, one can earn a black belt in about 2 and a half years.

Once kids get there that are under the age of 16, are usually held under the 3rd degree level. In the two organizations that I have been a member of, this has been the case.

I think that these kids may have the technical ability to be considered a black belt, but mentally, they are not so well prepared. A black belt should be able to handle teaching duties and other such responsibilities. Most kids cannot. Most of the times they see the color, but don't really understand what it means, deep down.

The other problem I see with black belt children is that they think there is no more to learn and get bored and burned out.

[ShadowFox]

I have noticed that most styles have a two month testing cycle. So, in most 9 or 10 belt systems, one can earn a black belt in about 2 and a half years.

Once kids get there that are under the age of 16, are usually held under the 3rd degree level. In the two organizations that I have been a member of, this has been the case.

I think that these kids may have the technical ability to be considered a black belt, but mentally, they are not so well prepared. A black belt should be able to handle teaching duties and other such responsibilities. Most kids cannot. Most of the times they see the color, but don't really understand what it means, deep down.

The other problem I see with black belt children is that they think there is no more to learn and get bored and burned out.

Yes I think that kid may not have the maturity mentally to be a black belt. I mean kids under 13 (or maybe even 17) maynot be ready for given title black belt. Most people do just look at the belt and think they all done. I think that their need to be more requirement for becoming a black belt, because I heard situation where a black belt got beat by my friend who was a yellow belt and from the way my friend tell it, it sounded like the black belt had no clue what he was doing. Now that just not right, a yellow belt should never had that easy of a time defeating a black belt. Maybe their should be like a one year waiting period for instructors to take a look at the martial artist skill to see if he up to black belt level or something...

[ArmorOfGod]

6 degree at 20? Apparently MA is no longer requiring a lifetime of learning. Maybe that's the way it should be. I wonder who his instructor is?

I think Tommy Franks is in his late 20's. I don't know that he's a 6th Dan. But he bought his 1st school franchise at 17. He has a school near me. I know some folks who have trained with him. He was older than 17 when he starred in Power Rangers.

He is in his 30's now and is a 6th dan.

Here is the website for his school:

http://www.risingsunkarate.com/

AoG

[bushido_man96]

When there is that kind of a desparity between ranks, then the instructor should be held responsible. Now, everyone has different abilities. Some can spar, some can do forms, others self-defense, and some excel as teachers. However, I feel that some level of competency should be demonstrated in all of these areas.

[Brandon Fisher]

15 is the youngest I will consider someone for shodan. The Jr. Black Belt trend is extremely strong right now and its sad at least in my opinion.

[nix]

while i agree that its wrong to have little black belts i think 16 is a fair age. Providing the student is of an excellent standard. How ever i have met exceptions, name ly a 15 years old 2nd dan who was amazing (just a normal kid, no parents in karate). when he turned 16 he had to do his first dan grading again whichw as a shame.

I think the key is not allowing the students own instructors to grade them, but rather an outside panel

[bushido_man96]

What should we do with the kids who excel towards that rank to keep them interested. It is hard to tell them that they cannot test again for a few years. My school is guilty of having young black belts as much as any.

Most organizations run on two month testing cycles. Perhaps 4 months would be better for children.

[marie curie]

Wow! Two month testing cycles? When I was younger and did Karate, we had 4-month testing cycles until purple belt (shi kyu), then it was 8 months. It served to keep only the kids who had a real interest in MA and were willing to work hard toward a long term goal.

[Kieran-Lilith]

It varies at our school. No matter what you do, though, you cannot get a BB in under five years, and you have to be at least 18. For most, it takes even longer than 5 years.

We have an eight year old girl and her 10 year old brother who are both yonkyu already. They're going to probably end up reaching ikkyu by age 13 or 14, and they won't be able to test for shodan until age 18.

We do have Jr. BBs, but those are far and few between. I can't think of anybody who has one.