Skipping Belts

[sensei8]

I think the answers on this forum would reflect the legitimancy of the instructor that is grading. For example, if he's allowing someone to skip a rank, he better be confident that the student is qualified. Especially if he jumps somoene else's rank that is more deserving.

Personally, I feel that I have the same or higher skill level as a couple of people that have higher ranks than I do in the system I train in. However, I don't feel like I've earned a higher rank as of yet, because I think I need to perfect certain techniques whereas some of the other students know more of the techniques, but have lesser form on their techniques. They have the knowledge and skill to put them at a higher rank than I am currently at. But for me to feel like I truly earned a higher rank, I want to feel like I've learned more and perfected what I've learned before I advance. My next test, if I pass, will put me at brown belt. I feel that brown belts should have near perfect form on their basic strikes, blocks, and kicks. I feel that I should know all required katas and sequences with near perfect form before I should be awarded my brown belt.

That's just my .02.

A very valuable 2 cents...Solid post!!

[DoctorQui]

You are misunderstanding my point.

I believe in belt skipping, because I believe that your grade should be a true reflection of your ability.

Just as people should not be advanced merely because of time that they have served at a grade, they should not be held back merely because they have not served time at a grade.

It makes no sense to hold back someone who is competent to a particular level merely for the sake of formality. If a person is competent to a given level, it is appropriate for the head instructor to recognise that.

Just as it devalues a grading system to have incompetent holders of particular belts, it also devalues a grading system to have overqualified holders of particular belts.

The whole point of the belt system is to recognise tiered levels of competency.

Then please accept my apologies!

OSU

[andell]

I think skipping belts should be done on a case by case accesment.If i had say, studied Shotokan karate and had a 1st dan,i know all the kata and all other requirements.I then walk into a Goju Ryu school,i do not know one Goju kata,any of the bunkai etc,how could i expect to hold my rank.

It may take 1-2 years to learn all of the new kata etc,so i dont think you should be graded to your old rank until then,however i think you should be able to skip grades because of previous training.

[Chunmonchek]

IMHO, all grading/promotion, including skipping grades, is at the discretion of a student's Sensei or grading board...with the possible exception of Batsugun promotion in Judo.

Rank is what you wear/carry... your training, performance, attitude and abilities are what you are.

[Harkon72]

Skipping grades happens rarely in my style. Only when a student earns 4 A grades out of 6 sections in a grading. It usually happens with outstanding junior grades. The next grading they take is really tough, because they must learn ALL the syllabus for the belt and the one they skipped.

[ShotokanMaster]

Ive seen some people skip belts during our belt testing there was this guy and his 2 kids skip belt they were orange belt and they became green belt easily because they were moving from the other state. I guess they will skip your belt when your good but my nephew his good and he never skip belt because i know if you skip belts its unfai to others

[Lupin1]

if you skip belts its unfair to others

Ahh, but the concept of "fair" is different to everyone. For some, fair is everyone getting the same. For others, it's the people who put more in getting more out and the people putting in less getting less. For still others, it's the people who need more being given more and the people who need less being given less. There are many different viewpoints on "what's fair". That's why it's so hard for leaders, especially, to be seen as fair and attempt to stay fair (and they should). Some may consider it unfair for someone who's clearly mastered the material to be kept at the same belt rather than being allowed to progress at his own pace.

[jimmyorttiz]

I think in every terms or programmes of Martial Art belts are benchmark who sets our training target. So, skipping belts can not be good idea eventually. I think willing to get belts influence to do well in training.

[JusticeZero]

belts are benchmark who sets our training target. So, skipping belts can not be good idea eventually.

Are you saying that people who skip belts will not learn the skills they need for the belt that they are skipping? I can see that if each belt has specific skills that you have to show for each level. Have you seen any examples of that? I know that not all schools divide belts by specific skills.

[bushido_man96]

belts are benchmark who sets our training target. So, skipping belts can not be good idea eventually.

Are you saying that people who skip belts will not learn the skills they need for the belt that they are skipping? I can see that if each belt has specific skills that you have to show for each level. Have you seen any examples of that? I know that not all schools divide belts by specific skills.

For someone just beginning training, I do believe the belt system can be a motivational aspect of training. It was for me when I was young. However, if someone has 20 years of experience in a style and then goes to train in another, it could be that the belt isn't the motivator, and the knowledge is.

I also view the idea of skipping rank to how it relates to the rest of the student body. If you have a 2nd dan black belt of a TKD style come into another style of TKD school, and has great technique, picks up all the forms fast and does really well, is it right that they should move up through all the ranks one at a time when they are clearly head and shoulders above their peers? Now, if you really crossing up your styles, like TKD black belt moving to Judo, then you will see the noticeable difference between knowledge base. The kicking and punching won't translate as well to throwing. No need to bump ranks there.

Now, lets look at if from a different aspect; competition. If your TKD guy transferred from another TKD school, holds a 2nd dan, and you keep him at white belt, and he wants to go compete in your style, is it fair to allow him to compete with other lower ranked students?

So, when it comes to the skipping rank issue, I think its important to evaluate the totality of the circumstances involved with the transfer of these students, and the instructor should make an informed decision.