What's your criteria for black belt?

[Nidan Melbourne]

To me becoming a black belt means that at a minimum you have mastered the basics of your particular style. You might want to add more to that criteria but mastering the basics should be the minimum.

How would you define having 'Mastered the basics'? As you'd have to define very clearly how to master a basic technique. Or more precisely what a 'Mastered' Technique looks like.

As I believe if you asked 100 different people, that you may get 100 different answers.

Personally i'm a 2nd Dan, but do I feel like i've mastered the basics? Nope not even close. This is due to the fact I personally feel like I am learning about them; despite my proficiency in them.

[wildbourgman]

How would you define having 'Mastered the basics'?

I'll let dictionary define mastering the basics. Yes there will be differing opinions. Some think the word mastered is too much and some think it's not enough, but remember I'm talking about just the basics. In most styles that's punching, kicking, walking, blocking (receiving) ETC. In my view after black belt is where the good stuff starts. That's why I hate to see people get to shodan and quit like they have finished because they have only just begun.

Master

1.acquire complete knowledge or skill in (an accomplishment, technique, or art).

2.having or showing very great skill or proficiency.

3.a skilled practitioner of a particular art or activity.

Basic

1.forming an essential foundation or starting point; fundamental.

2.the essential facts or principles of a subject or skill.

3,offering or consisting in the minimum required without elaboration or luxury; simplest or lowest in level,

[sensei8]

How would you define having 'Mastered the basics'?

Our Soke said that maturity had to be mastered first, and even then, that wasn't a guarantee. He spoke about there are two kinds of maturities on the floor: Maturity of Karate-do and Maturity of the practitioner/individual, and in that, the maturity of Karate-do is far apart away from the maturity of the practitioner. This becomes quite evident when one still struggles with any given technique.

[wildbourgman]

Maturity, I agree that's a good starting point. In this day and age that might be getting harder to come by.