Where do you stand in line?

[DeeBoy]

If a student from another style joins your class and holds a black belt, where do they stand in your class? do they remove their belt and stand at the end of the line with the white belts, or do they keep their belt on and join the black belt ranks?

I have been to other styles at the request of the instuctor and then told not to wear my black belt and join the white belts. And then I have been to other schools and been invited to train with senior grades.

What is the protocol for your school?

[Shui Tora]

At our Dojo, any outside visitos must take off their belt (no matter the colour) and join the white belts..

[kenpo.stylist]

yup, stand with the white belts. If you're a beginner in our style, then that's where you stand.

However, you may enjoy the ability to progress more quickly due to previous experience, but you may also have some horrible habits that we need to address...remember an empty cup is easier to fill with new than a cup filled with old.

[P.A.L]

i allways have a white belt in my bag, i go right to the end of the line. if you go there regularly that's something else.

[RichardHangHong]

In our club, if they're from another karate style then they keep their belt on and join in at the appropriate place. If they're from another martial art however, they must wear a white belt.

[Shotokan-kez]

We have never had someone from another style come into our dojo, i think if they did and they were a black belt i would feel a little intimidated

[parkerlineage]

The couple people we've had visit from other styles wear their black belts, but stand at the end. My instructor really doesn't care where they stand - he says it's just a line, after all.

It really does irk me, though, that we have two other guys who are black belts in a different system than ours that refuse to do group lessons. They both train only in private lessons, and wear their black belts. That screams arrogant, to me.

[AngelaG]

If they were only visiting we would invite them to wear their normal belts; they have earned their grades and we respect that. If they wanted to train in our style though we would probably have to assess whether they have enough knowledge to retain their grade, or if it would be more beneficial for them to work up the grades.

[ff100]

Pretty much the same as Angela's school.

We have had some senior grades from all over and they are invited to wear their current grade/belts when training however if they joined full time they would be evaluated.

[unknownstyle]

they stand in the regular rank order