Brown belt with no more colors left to go

[Vagabond]

I recently attained my 3rd kyu, or brown belt. While I still have two more tests (2 more belts of the same color) to attain I have a thought constantly running through my head. "I have no more colors between me and black." I am fairly concerned with this as I am slowly realizing how much more work I need to put forth and how little time 2 years is to be ready. The large techniques I was worried about mastering have broken into a million individual nuances that need to be endlessly drilled. I know have to work and the finer points of my Kata, and the Bunkai to match. The belt color makes no difference; it is the responsibility I assume when I accept it.

The attainment of the brown belt was an important one for me. Still I did not have a great increase in skill from green until my brown, my fitness has not changed much, in fact my knowledge of kihon, bunkai, and kata are almost the same. I have merely logged in more hours, and refined some of my kihon. Now I realize that then I was coasting, now, from brown belt on is an upward struggle to attain that black belt and finally begin my journey as a Karateka.

Maybe I am over thinking it, but that is my tao.

[Montana]

Over thinbking? Oy yeah, most definitely.

Where you said "Still I did not have a great increase in skill from green until my brown, my fitness has not changed much, in fact my knowledge of kihon, bunkai, and kata are almost the same. I have merely logged in more hours, and refined some of my kihon.":

Well, I don't know where green and brown belts fall in your system, by changes in skill levels happen gradually in general, with an occassional "WOW!" thrown in for those "I finally got it!!! moments.

I've been an instructor since 1978 and believe me, your instructor can see your improvements better than you can.

[Vagabond]

Thanks for the words of encouragement.

[bushido_man96]

Montana is right. As you progress, you will notice minor skill improvements over time. This is when you really have to kick it in gear, because this is where the little things start to show, and seperate you from others.

Stick with it, and just make sure you keep enjoying what you are doing.

[Vagabond]

Lately (I think due to my first Knockdown Kumite tournament is arriving this weekend) I have been stepping up my personal training. I do not feel I get enough from my Dojo. Now it seems as though my Dojo is more of a source for ideas that I am suppose to take home and train by myself, rather than a place where my development is guided.

Ironically this extra training (Kata, heavy bag, and speed bag) has shown me I have attained a new skill without ever trying. It is more of a display skill, but what it requires (Balance, coordination, and leg strength) are all still key to Budo. I am able to stay on one leg and repeatedly kick high-low, high-low for about 5 times with good composure and force. While these kicks are with the instep (I have just begun training with the ball of my foot) I still noticed this as a "leap in skill".

How would you, Bushido_man96, suggest I kick it in gear? I feel the Dojo I belong to is more geared toward children, tournaments, and a "Good workout" for adults. In fact the tournament I mentioned with the knockdown Kumite, I am the only one participating from my Dojo.

[bushido_man96]

Working with a partner would be helpful, especially to work on specific strategies, and timing different counter and such. If you don't have a partner, doing some good solo work with angles and attacks will help a bit. Timing would be a big thing, and that's hard to work on your own. See if you can find a partner to throw some things at you to work on.

[Vagabond]

Yeah, I have a person in mind. Unfortunately he is in high school, so that kills a lot of the time I have off (I work nights). What do you mean working in angles with solo training?