do belts mean anything

[Karateka]

Some can say that the belt system works because it works on the reward purpose for hard work. It can be incentive to put in that extra effort to get that next belt. It works mostly for Americans who don't have a clue about the Arts because they need something to keep them motivated.

 

 

[thaiboxerken]

Americans as in USA or Canada?

 

I know most USA people are lazy and clueless, so they need the motivation of belts.

 

 

[MuayTB1]

No American are lazy but that is not an excuse. Most of all, in shuolin , Students are fouced to train 6 hours a day and if they don't, punishment will be given out.

[DarkMonkey]

Dispite my earlier comments I don't have too many problems with the price. It was £20 for the grading, and I'm certain a new belt does not cost that much. However, more than that, we got a long training session first from Sensei Sherry, who is probably the highest ranked dan in the UK (where I live!!) and has been doing it for like 40 years. This guy was amazing to watch and I valued the advice he was giving out. Our club is small and I imagine it costs a lot for him to travel the country to attend so I have little problem with the slightly high price.

 

The belt system is still bugging me slightly though.

[Iron Arahat]

Belts mean nothing really...I mean you see some of these 8 to 10 year olds with black belts, but can they take care of themselves.

 

Often belts are too commercial, I have seen black belt grading fees in excess of $500 (pass or fail).

 

The question is do you need a belt to tell you if you are good or not...and even then are you instilling a sense of false security in your abilities. Too many times I've seen an heard the "now I'm a black belt, I know it all song". I have personally been training for over 15 years and am still learning.

 

What is important is your standard. You know where you are at, and if you honestly put forward the work.

 

My advice for new students is buyer beware - training 2 times a week to get a black belt in 3 years or less should sound alarm bells.

 

When people ask if I have a black belt I usually respond in two ways:

 

1) "Tell me what your defenition of black belt is..."

 

2) "Sure I have a black belt. It holds up my pants and cost me $14.99 at Walmart".

[iamrushman]

just another view....kickboxing and other pro combat sports have belts also that cost, such as entry fees,travel fees,trainer fees,and etc. fees........win or lose......however there belts are leather with big shiny silver and gold buckles.

 

just a humble opinion

 

_________________

 

rushman (taekwondo moderator)

 

3rd dan

 

wtf/kukkiwon

 

florida

 

This Message was edited by: iamrushman on Aug 9, 2001 1:13pm

[Iron Arahat]

To a degree true...but any competition short of professional costs. Any Karate, TKD, Kung-Fu, and everyone I missed has entry fees, travel costs, etc....

 

Almost everyone hear will pay training fees in some form or another.

 

The big shiny belts are often overrated as well. How many "sanctioning" bodies are there? Boxing is the same way.

 

How much does a TKD practitioner pay to the Kukkikwon in Korea for his black belt certificate? Is his skill any less valuable if he/she were not to pay these fees?

 

I am merely playing devils advocate here in the sense I know that a certain amount of money is required for anyone to operate; however, when it becomes commercialized then the problems start.

 

Greed, not a love for what we do too often taints the arts that we a love to practice. Belt test fees in many cases are just a money grab.

 

For example Chinese Martial Arts traditionally have no belt (or sash) system. Today you can find hundreds of "black belts" in chinese systems. Why. Money.

[iamrushman]

agreed and well put .......just want to let it be known that we all pay for belts..........thank you and good luck to you.

 

 

[DarkMonkey]

that said. It does seem to be a very good incentive. Even if it doesn't mean too much, the majority of students will be aiming for the next belt, whether their desire to train hard to reach it is there or not, it does seem to give people goals to aim for.

 

I attend two classes a week, and if I were to grade every three months successfully I would probably reach black belt in under three years. Whether that is comercial or not, I don't know. And it is not what I am aiming for, but I do like our club, and I think it's more to do with the effort you put in than the time you have been attending classes. I know I do a lot of training outside of the dojo.

[Iron Arahat]

Three years to black is so fast, especially if classes are twice a week. The question might be are you allowed to promote three times a year regardless?

 

An example of how things are in Judo are as follows (time represents MINIMUM time in rank before Promotion)

 

White....... 4 months

 

Yellow...... 6 months

 

Green...... 9 months

 

Blue......... 1 year

 

Brown...... 2 years

 

I agree that belts may be good to motivate individuals, but shouldn't progressing to something new be enough?

 

iamrushman...don't you think that there is a choice for kickboxers to be competative or non-competative? The Kokkikwon requires all blackbelts in TKD be registered and pay the appropriate fees, there is no choice.

 

Again the devils advocate.....