Quitting Karate On The Eve Of The Black Belt Test

[Sohan]

We have a couple in our dojo that have been with us for over six years, and have learned all of their material for Shodan, which they would have tested for very soon. They seem to have a pretty good grasp on their material, but they have never volunteered to teach (it's not required, but should be) and are rather self-centered in their training orientation in class. Well, to make a long story short, they have announced to Sensei that they are quitting the dojo because they want to move in a different direction in their training.

I respect one's right to shift gears and go elsewhere, but what I find foolish is training in 6 years of material just to throw it away right when the goal of every karate-ka is within grasp. Even if they are displeased for some reason with our dojo, still they could test for the BB and THEN move on. It's like spending 4 years at the university and then quitting before your last final exam. A BB follows you everywhere and opens doors that a brown belt simply cannot.

In retrospect, this couple has always been "me me" oriented, and they have often gotten upset (though it has been subtle) when they have not tested when THEY thought they were ready. They prefer harder contact in training (though they whine when others give THEM a good whack or two) They have also grumbled when they have had to teach others, and are often disrespectful to other students in class, making snide comments within earshot of the other person. So, to me, it's no great loss, and I am fine with them not representing our dojo any further. But it also seems a great waste, as they certainly had potential and had trained hard for this opportunity.

Really, it's probably good riddance, but geez, what a waste. What do you think?

With respect,

Sohan

[french fri25]

seems like a stupid decision to me. like you said, even if they dont want to continue training at your dojo anymore, at least take the BB test. all in all i think it would be a very unwise decision to quit after spending 6 years of their lives and hard-earned money without finishing what they started.

[pegasi]

It doesn't make sense to quit all the sudden just short of the BB goal. I imagine that there must be some underlying reason behind them quitting all the sudden. Perhaps they had financial issues and couldn't afford to test, but couldn't admit it? I presume you have testing fees, like most schools do. Pride can make people do strange things.

I figure that unless word "gets around" that you may never know the real reason behind their sudden decision.

Tough choice, but in the end, no real loss to your dojo from the sound of it.

[bushido_man96]

It does sound kind of silly to me. I also see the reciprocal situation; those who earn the black belt, and then quit, like you mentioned, Sohan.

I agree that they are close, and should at least seal the deal. It sounds kind of fishy. I wonder if they have not had discussions with someone else about their 'feelings' on the martial arts, and perhaps this third party has offered them a chance to test out at their respective ranks, in order to gain a few students.

As far as their attitudes go, I am not sure I would be allowing them to test at that level in my school. The self-centered, egotistical attitudes are not going to help them very much in any endeavor they embark on, MA or otherwise.

It may be a blessing in disquise; they don't sound like someone I would want to represent a school that I would be affiliated with.

[stejitsu]

I have had to make a decision similar to this in shotokan karate. I was told i was going to do my 1st dan in the given time. Unfortunately my elbows dictated otherwise. I was forced to move to another style due to pain. This may seem like a and choice but i moved to 'Ju Jitsu' LOL, i went on to get my '1st dan' and later received my '1st degree' in 'Ng gar tien'

One day i would like to go for that belt i missed out upon but at the moment, time commitments-hinder that quest.

[Shotokan-kez]

Wow i wouldn't dream of quitting, it does sound a little silly. It sounds like they don't care to much about it, or on the other hand, like someone else said an underlying reason that they haven't mentioned, maybe they are not being totally honest with their reasons.

[Sohan]

It sounds kind of fishy. I wonder if they have not had discussions with someone else about their 'feelings' on the martial arts, and perhaps this third party has offered them a chance to test out at their respective ranks, in order to gain a few students.

That's a possibility, but I can't imagine they would have done this, since their test was to be scheduled any day.

As far as their attitudes go, I am not sure I would be allowing them to test at that level in my school. The self-centered, egotistical attitudes are not going to help them very much in any endeavor they embark on, MA or otherwise.

It may be a blessing in disquise; they don't sound like someone I would want to represent a school that I would be affiliated with.

I completely agree. However, my Sensei has a tendency to look on people's best sides, and this often colors his approach to those in the dojo. I don't think he was really aware of the extent of their self-centeredness.

I imagine that there must be some underlying reason behind them quitting all the sudden. Perhaps they had financial issues and couldn't afford to test, but couldn't admit it? I presume you have testing fees, like most schools do. Pride can make people do strange things.

Actually, pegasi, we have no testing fees, and we only charge $30 a month. My sensei has never operated out of any profit motive in the 20 years he has run this dojo, as he is already a successful real estate attorney.

I think it is more that this couple wanted to test earlier than they would have, and they feel a sense of entitlement with their training. We have another brown belt class that started a year or so after them and has caught them because them come to class more frequently and are more willing to assist, not to mention they are more supportive of dojo activities. I think this couple simply doesn't realize that progression in martial arts is often more about humility, and what you give back to your dojo rather than just what you get from it.

So, considering this aspect, it is their loss, not ours.

With respect,

Sohan

[Rateh]

It could be considered that I quit on the eve of my black belt test. I was a brown belt for four years, attending classes 4 to 6 days a week, and teaching 5 days a week. My instructor kept telling me he'd test me soon, every few months he'd tell me he would test me in a couple months. He told the parents that I was a "black belt who hadn't tested yet". When I decided to compete he made me compete in the black belt devisions. I finally got fed up with waiting and left. I came back when he sold the school to one of the higher ranking students. The higher ranking student believes that the instructors reason was selfishness...I was paying him to teach his classes, once I tested for black belt I would have no more monthly fees. The new school owner tested me a few months after he purchased the school.

[Sohan]

It could be considered that I quit on the eve of my black belt test. I was a brown belt for four years, attending classes 4 to 6 days a week, and teaching 5 days a week. My instructor kept telling me he'd test me soon, every few months he'd tell me he would test me in a couple months. He told the parents that I was a "black belt who hadn't tested yet". When I decided to compete he made me compete in the black belt devisions. I finally got fed up with waiting and left. I came back when he sold the school to one of the higher ranking students. The higher ranking student believes that the instructors reason was selfishness...I was paying him to teach his classes, once I tested for black belt I would have no more monthly fees. The new school owner tested me a few months after he purchased the school.

These students would have been brown belts since 2003, so it would have been nearly 4 years for them as well, though our students typically take 3 years to go through Sankyu, Nikyu, and Ikyu (1 year each, depending on the student). We don't have frequent tests, so this may discourage some faster-learning students who might have to wait for other students to catch up. However, it usually evens out well in the end.

I think this couple got PO'd because Sensei made them wait an additional year to test. However, they only come to class once a week, never offer to teach, skip all dojo social events, and display a tone of arrogance and selfishness in class (though never enough to cross the line). Furthermore, they hadn't learned their final black belt kata until December, so they wouldn't have tested sooner anyway.

As far as referring to them as black belts, if they had taught kids or white belt classes, they would have been given a white belt with a thin black stripe, sort of a "pre-black belt". This is considered an honor and is recognition for teaching. But Sensei would never have referred to them as BB's "who hadn't tested yet". I agree with you that that would have put me off as well. Glad to hear you finally made it over the hump!

Really, I think that this couple got back what they put into the dojo. And they shouldn't have expected anything else.

With respect,

Sohan

[KarateEd]

Sohan,

IMHO I don't think they were ready to be black belts. As some one else mentioned, there probably was some behind-the-scenes "goings-on" that prompted their departure. As you and others have said I think you are better off for it.

Ed