Should there really be a time limit/requirement to test?

[Montana]

We use a "minimum time period" before testing as a general rule, but not necessarily set in stone.

The tiem period isn't juyst there for your annoyance or to force you to stay in, it's there so that you get "seasoned" in a belt and allows time for you and your body/mind to get used to new movements and materials you've learned.

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If belt progression was gauged solely on your ability to successfully pass a kata test, then most martial artists with experience in other systems could progress rather quickl;y in any system.

Take mtyself for instance. witgh 30+ years in the arts, if I joined another system and only learned their kata to progress, but not their philosophy or why they do things the way that they do, I could conseivably progress to black belt in a few months with kata alone. Would that be right?

Absolutely NOT!

[DoctorQui]

We use a "minimum time period" before testing as a general rule, but not necessarily set in stone.

The tiem period isn't juyst there for your annoyance or to force you to stay in, it's there so that you get "seasoned" in a belt and allows time for you and your body/mind to get used to new movements and materials you've learned.

\

If belt progression was gauged solely on your ability to successfully pass a kata test, then most martial artists with experience in other systems could progress rather quickl;y in any system.

Take mtyself for instance. witgh 30+ years in the arts, if I joined another system and only learned their kata to progress, but not their philosophy or why they do things the way that they do, I could conseivably progress to black belt in a few months with kata alone. Would that be right?

Absolutely NOT!

It is interesting that you raise the issue of the philosophy of a martial art and I think you are generally right. For me though, when moving between, say, Wado Ryu, Shotokan, Goju or Shito and Shorin Ryu to name just a few, where the philosophy is largely the same with the same origins, then the only real difference is the technical art. To be in harmony with your style is something that can be transfered in my opinion.

I do agree that its not all about just learning kata and technique but if you are ready for progression, serving time shouldn't matter but there are a lot of clubs out there where quick prgression generally means less revenue.

If I'm honest, I would prefer there to be no coloured belt system because I think the attainment of a colour quite often becomes more important than the journey and is also a good way of 'selling' the way to those who don't choose to go and find it for themselves.

[JohnnyB]

No time limit on my Dojo either.

Our sensei doesn't encourage or discourage anyone attempting to grade.

Its really up to Karatekas to decide if we are ready. And since there is a hefty grading fee included you should really be confident in your skills before signing up cuz past 5th Kyu grades many people fail as i have witnessed..!

[Ueshirokarate]

We use a "minimum time period" before testing as a general rule, but not necessarily set in stone.

The tiem period isn't juyst there for your annoyance or to force you to stay in, it's there so that you get "seasoned" in a belt and allows time for you and your body/mind to get used to new movements and materials you've learned.

\

If belt progression was gauged solely on your ability to successfully pass a kata test, then most martial artists with experience in other systems could progress rather quickl;y in any system.

Take mtyself for instance. witgh 30+ years in the arts, if I joined another system and only learned their kata to progress, but not their philosophy or why they do things the way that they do, I could conseivably progress to black belt in a few months with kata alone. Would that be right?

Absolutely NOT!

It is interesting that you raise the issue of the philosophy of a martial art and I think you are generally right. For me though, when moving between, say, Wado Ryu, Shotokan, Goju or Shito and Shorin Ryu to name just a few, where the philosophy is largely the same with the same origins, then the only real difference is the technical art. To be in harmony with your style is something that can be transfered in my opinion.

I do agree that its not all about just learning kata and technique but if you are ready for progression, serving time shouldn't matter but there are a lot of clubs out there where quick prgression generally means less revenue.

If I'm honest, I would prefer there to be no coloured belt system because I think the attainment of a colour quite often becomes more important than the journey and is also a good way of 'selling' the way to those who don't choose to go and find it for themselves.

Where he goes is not a commercial dojo. I am sure the Shihan will make exceptions of time in grade if he is very skilled and works hard.

[Dobbersky]

- Scam to keep you staying more months in order to pay for their service,

You can order a black belt straight from Century for $5.

There was an Instructor offering Dan grade certificates and a belt on EBay

$10.50 + $5.00 Shipping + whatever he asks for the grade (not much or I won't buy, cos the joke is only worth so much! - even if it does take this sort of !!!! out of circulation)

link http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=16044

This was in a different forum the Ebay link has been removed but left to prove it was a genuine "OFFER"

Edited June 26, 2012 by Dobbersky

[Dobbersky]

I wouldn't worry about it, let your actions on the deck reflect your skill and knowledge. Focus on perfecting your katas. If you feel strongly about advancing quickly through the ranks, I would speak directly with your Shihan. You are training in a very old school system that was started by Okinawans who were born into karate traditions and really studied under some of the biggest names in Shuri-Te, so you are learning the real stuff that is pretty much undiluted in any way from what is taught on Okinawa.

We have several students that hold very high rank in other styles or systems in our dojo. This is actually a negative at times, as old habits are hard to change and there is always style creep when they are doing kata. I recently started also training in BJJ and I am a white belt with one stripe in the system. I am thrilled to be a white belt again, as there is so much breathing room and no pressure to be an example to anyone.

That said, I think rank should reflect your skill level (within THAT style). If you know the curriculum and have the skill to demonstrate it, then you should be that rank. For better or worse, that is not the case in most traditional Okinawan styles. So you either need to change where you are training, have a heart to heart with your Shihan about your desire to move up quicker, or humble yourself and deal with the way things are. This is advice I need to listen to sometimes myself.

Solid Post my friend, OSU

[sensei8]

Rank will take care of itself when it's required of it to do so...not sooner and not later, but at the exact moment.

No matter the rank, time isn't your enemy. No, It's your allied; the seeking of perfection takes no set time, it's forever.

While we've tenure in our Dan ranks, those tenure's are minimums only!! Level of skill is only a part of ones rank; there's a plethora of elements that go into any rank.

[Shizentai]

For many young people, the body is quick to excel... but the mind still needs time and experience to develop.

For this reason, there are time "requirements" in my dojo, but they are able to be lifted if the student demonstrates extraordinary maturity and is dedicated in training. Students with previous experience are also often allowed to test for multiple ranks at a time, but it is left up to the discretion of the examiner.

[FangPwnsAll7]

In my school, you have to go atleast 8 times a month to be able to test. Tests here are held every 3 months. After red belt, you have to wait 6 months.

[jaypo]

I was in this situation. I studied Shotokan and got to purple (5th kyu over 20 years ago, and recently found a local shorin ryu/shotokan instructor that had classes that my schedule could work with. I asked to start at white belt because his system heavily favors Shorin Ryu although it does incorporate Shotokan (her prefers the Pinans to the Heians, etc). As I started taking classes, the ranked students would say "you're not really a white belt!" which made me feel kinda good! So when it came time for my 1st test, he challenged me with the katas that I've known for years thru Shotokan but also "showed" me a few advanced ones hoping I'd take them on as a challenge. Well, at my test, I performed them all, and instead of awarding me with green (6th kyu) which is what he wanted me to test for, I was awarded blue (4th kyu). For the next test, I was awarded red (3rd kyu) because in his system, 4th kyu was required to have the skills that I already had from my previous Shotokan training. So he gave me the curriculum for his brown belt students and had me working on that for a month before the test. I didn't want to rank at brown yet because I don't feel that I've gained all of the knowledge and technique that a 2nd and 1st kyu should have, but I did enough to earn red.

The problem I'm having is that I'm almost 38, and injuries and surgeries have severely limited what I can and can't do. My mind knows what it should do, but my knees and hips limit me! If I had the mobility that I had when I was in my 20's, it would be a whole lot easier! However, for my red test, I had to spar with the senior black belt to 2 points. I dispatched him extremely quickly (my sensei actually commented on the quickness!). That prompted him to inform the black belts that with the "new crop of advanced belts improving like they have, you guys need to step it up!".

I'm finding that the students that have been in this system longer than me have all started in that system from the ground up. I had a 7th dan wonderful instructor in Shotokan that I trained under for 2 years that provided me with wonderful basics. And I have always been very athletic. So I find that my techniques and knowledge is sometimes above those ahead of me in ranking. But I'm in it for the knowledge and self improvement. If I were to stay at 3rd kyu "officially" but progress mentally, physically, and spiritually to my standards, then I would consider my training a success. So far, I have!