another question about belt lol

[bushido_man96]

I think all of you have great points about the fact that people should focus on refining their technique instead of stressing for their next belt. But this is my opionion:

Many people post that when they start they were focussed on getting their next belt and that they would get discouraged when they would have to train two years to get to the next belt. Notice that I said when they start. This is only at the beginning of their journey in the martial arts. I think grading twice a year until your black belt is a good thing. It keeps you motivated and it makes you train twice as hard at least twice a year, so you pass the exam.

Good point. I think that this is very true for many people. However, I also think that it is based off of your experiences early on as well. I think that kids that get into wrestling early on, for example, will be perhaps less inclined to be tied into worrying about attaining a rank, and more inclined to focus on the training for their next match.

After 3-4-5 years when you have earned your blackbelt, you will not be focussed that much on the grading system, but that is when the time table comes into play and you can only grade once every 2-3 years.

So when you first start out you are motivated through the grading system, and after a few years of training you do not need the grading system any more to motivate you. That is when you have to train 3 years to grade again.

Just my 2 cents

Tom

Aside from my comments above, I would have to say that this is the case many times. I actually was motivated by ranks early on myself, and have come to realize that now they aren't so important; just as you stated.

The fact that some schools/styles have more belts and less time between testings is probably relative to the fact that so many people use the rank system as motivation.

[baronbvp]

I am not a big fan of belts, though they are good for motivation. I got tired of paying for new belts for my kids. Our dojo wasn't a McDojo, but they did use the testing process to motivate people, particularly the kids. Every time they got a belt, I had to write a check.

Belts hold up pants. Only you know where you are on your journey.

[bushido_man96]

I am not a big fan of belts, though they are good for motivation. I got tired of paying for new belts for my kids. Our dojo wasn't a McDojo, but they did use the testing process to motivate people, particularly the kids. Every time they got a belt, I had to write a check.

Belts hold up pants. Only you know where you are on your journey.

When I was younger, I was always motivated about being ready for testing. I like to be prepared, and the testing kind of did that for me. It is different now, but back then, I didn't mind it.

[baronbvp]

No, I don't mind it. In fact, Bushido, I would be lying if I said I wasn't excited to get a new belt. What I am not a fan of is belt systems that are revenue generators instead of marks of progress.

At my old dojo, belt progression was primarily based on doing more advanced kata than before. There was never a sparring match to see how good a fighter you were against some other color belt. The instructors wouldn't let you test if they didn't think you were ready from regularly watching you and letting the right amount of time go by, but I felt some who were better at kata advanced faster than those who were better fighters but not as clean with kata.

I found this to be true by sparring some of their black belts. I never got above yellow, but was well-matched with some of the young black belts. Others would have destroyed me. It didn't seem very equal.

I have also found that some get caught up in belt progression to the exclusion of learning their art.

[bushido_man96]

No, I don't mind it. In fact, Bushido, I would be lying if I said I wasn't excited to get a new belt. What I am not a fan of is belt systems that are revenue generators instead of marks of progress.

I agree with you on this point. This is a reason why I won't be testing again any time soon with my association.

At my old dojo, belt progression was primarily based on doing more advanced kata than before. There was never a sparring match to see how good a fighter you were against some other color belt. The instructors wouldn't let you test if they didn't think you were ready from regularly watching you and letting the right amount of time go by, but I felt some who were better at kata advanced faster than those who were better fighters but not as clean with kata.

This is almost an echo of what I have been through. I have always enjoyed doing forms, but I have also liked sparring, and I also realize that sparring is what I need the most work on. I am ok at sparring, and I can take a shot, but, I would like to improve my skill level more and more all the time.

There are some in our school who are both good at forms and sparring. However, we have several who don't care for sparring at all, and they won't do it if they don't have to. On Wednesdays, we have a kicking/sparring drills class, that we use to work on some sparring ideas. I wish we would spar more in that class, be we never really do. However, we do practice footwork drills, do bagwork, and do some timed rounds on different things as well. However, the students that don't like it, don't show up, so it is really their own fault if they don't improve in that area.

I found this to be true by sparring some of their black belts. I never got above yellow, but was well-matched with some of the young black belts. Others would have destroyed me. It didn't seem very equal.

In our school, their is descrepancy as well. Most of it comes from the ladies in the class, as they seem to be the ones that don't like sparring as much. I do ok, but some of the 1st degrees are a little more athletic than I am; I make up for it with toughness, though.

I have also found that some get caught up in belt progression to the exclusion of learning their art.

This is a good point as well. However, our instructor is really good about making sure the students are ready to test before he allows them to do so.

[baronbvp]

I found the same thing. In Shorin Ryu, we worked on kata on Mondays and group exercises on Wednesdays. Fridays was sparring day. I was usually one of the only ones there, never any females. I would spar with two other yellow belts, a green belt (very strong guy), and a couple of younger brown and black belts. Sparring was by far the best part of my training. My hybrid background came in handy while I learned and had fun. In fact, I liked it so much I decided to take up kickboxing instead. That is how I naturally fight anyway, and I am looking for contact. I can't wait until my KB class starts next week. I also want to do BJJ, which my old dojo knew nothing about. I would teach them some grappling but it wasn't right - I was the student!

When I was younger, one of my life's goals was earning a black belt. I was never anywhere long enough to do that, or at least I didn't make it happen in any one style. Now I just like to learn to fight better. Perhaps one day I'll be a black belt on karateforums and achieve my goal.

[bushido_man96]

When I was younger, one of my life's goals was earning a black belt. I was never anywhere long enough to do that, or at least I didn't make it happen in any one style. Now I just like to learn to fight better. Perhaps one day I'll be a black belt on karateforums and achieve my goal.

That, you may very well do!

The important thing, however, is that you enjoy the training that you do get to do, and that you keep doing it.

[baronbvp]

True enough. That's one reason I will do BJJ after KB. I think it will be easier on my body and I want to learn it. If I like KB enough to keep going, I may try to do both. I am very much looking forward to beginning to train again.