Do Karate schools suspend/Demote black belts???

[kensei]

I see what different people are saying and what the practices and the mentality of each group is and I dont see anyone idea as being wrong or bad. Wear your black belt, a white belt, wear a black belt with a white stripe....none are wrong.

What is a black belt is a very important question. Do we see it as a grade that one earns and never loses or a specific level of technical ability, physical ability or mental knowledge?

For an old man I can say that I can not do the same things that I could when I first graded for my first dan...heck over time our ability to perform is always dropping off some what.

its a great question and one that probably goes hand and hand with the question of what to do with the returning Dan student.

[T3chnopsycho]

I totally agree, And even if I dont practice your way of thinking, I respect your point of view, and I never said it was wrong, in fact its more of a "what ever your group does...do it" kind of thing.

And yes, we all have a different opinion on this, or different practice. None are wrong, just different!

See it the same way

What is a black belt is a very important question. Do we see it as a grade that one earns and never loses or a specific level of technical ability, physical ability or mental knowledge?

My opinion is that a black belt stands for your knowledge of how your specific style works.

Because like you said. A 80 year old just can't be as good (physically) as a 20 year old.

So a black belt (and it's different levels stand for how knowledgeable you are and what you know about the style and can also explain to others.

Cheers

T3chnopsycho

[FangPwnsAll7]

I don't think that they'd be able to test for the next rank and pass if they are not trying. They should be able to keep the black belt though if they have successfully tested for the rank.

[DaveAbramson]

Good question... I've never actually asked my instructors if they demote. I'd image the person would leave the dojo and take their black belt with them!

[Lupin1]

Good question... I've never actually asked my instructors if they demote. I'd image the person would leave the dojo and take their black belt with them!

In most cases in wouldn't do them much good anywhere else.

[sensei8]

Would the head instructor/sensei revoke/suspend there black belt???

Our Hombu has, and will summarily suspend rank if proven actions are warranted. The suspension, however summarily, will occur only and after the Hombu has committed its judgement via official entries in the appropriate documents and the like.

Once the PIP (Personal Improvement Plan) is successfully completed, usually 9 months with reviews every 3 months, said previous rank will be reinstated immediately. The PIP consists of three stages and one must successfully pass phase 1 before one can enter into phase 2 and so on. Failure of any PIP phase constitutes permanent demotion, to be determined by the Hombu, usually to the rank just below.

Strip me of my rank and title, guess what? Knowledge can't be erased...ever!!

In the dark history of our Hombu, we've stripped title and authority of our San Dai-Soke for his many deplorable actions. So much so that he was expunged. Even as I type this, he's attempting to rejoin the Hombu and back to his "rightful" position(s); an attempt that will not be granted, I assure you of that.

My most senior student was suspended and demoted by the Hombu for lying on an official document.

I was suspended once by Dai-Soke when I was a JBB for being in his office without permission and for wearing his ceremonial obi.

[kensei]

I dont really think you can take away someones Dan ranking, but making them wear a white belt when they come back to acknowledge their time away is acceptable. they are still "What ever" Dan's but just showing they have a way to remember or show they remember the basics..

I remember one story were a student of another instructor was teaching at a club and training with her insturctor as well as taking Kyokushin classes with her spouse to augment training. Her instructor got mad and asked her to stop training in Kyokushin and only do Shotokan. She replied by stopping her teaching and saying she would not teach but attend classes with both styles for her own benefit.

Her instructor sent her a letter, which she passed to me (we were friends on the internet) and she showed me that her instrucotor, with out his instructors approval nor the organizations approval, stripped her of her rank and told her to not come back.

he lost a dedicated student who was looking to improve herself and isntead of working hard to keep her and help her, he basically chased her off.

[Lupin1]

I was suspended once by Dai-Soke when I was a JBB for being in his office without permission and for wearing his ceremonial obi.

[sensei8]

I was suspended once by Dai-Soke when I was a JBB for being in his office without permission and for wearing his ceremonial obi.

Yes...it's funny now, but then, it wasn't...I practically wet myself out of fear; that day is etched in my brain. Now I can look back at it and laugh.

But anyway...I agree...

[Nidan Melbourne]

They cannot have their rank stripped off them. As they have already shown that they have proven their worth of being called a black belt.

Just some people who do attain their black belt and "let themselves go" just haven't shown their discipline in showing that maturity of what they have earnt.

My Sensei doesn't let anyone go for a grading until they have not only shown that they are proficient with the syllabus but also they have to have shown some self improvement and maturity to earn a place at a grading.

Obviously he only does this for the more senior students (i.e. blue belt and above).

I have one kid at my school (he's 17) and a 1st kyu (or 1st Brown) and hasn't shown any maturity towards the rank that he wants to achieve or the fact that he doesn't take class seriously or want to take many of the drills of serious importance. Nor does he listen to what is required.