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Post by sifuwhite on Nov 27, 2005 15:03:04 GMT 8
In you mind how long do you think it should take to make Black Belt. I am looking for honest opinions and forethought here. I know I made mine first one pretty fast, about 26 months. So, what do think should be the proper time.
Sifu White
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Post by Colin Wee on Nov 27, 2005 22:40:58 GMT 8
What is a black belt? A functional fighter? An instructor? A coach? A leader? A representative of your school/system? It's tough training a person up to be even one of these. Yet BB are expected to be all of these, and competent in all of them. Some schools (especially sports oriented ones) churn them out in 1 year! Some in 10! I got my BB in 3.5 years, and when I did, on retrospect I knew very little. My current syllabus factors about 3 years to shodan (3 times a week). I don't think any less would produce a BB of suitable experience. Colin
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Post by wmioch on Nov 28, 2005 15:09:39 GMT 8
I believe I heard (I think it was actually a marketing/industry company) that the average (or recommended? I can't remember which) was three years training twice a week.
Personally, I'm not inclined to put a figure on it. Like Colin said, it depends on what you want to achieve, and I also think it depends a lot on the person.
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Post by sifuwhite on Nov 29, 2005 3:53:06 GMT 8
Thanks Bill for the response.
Tim
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Post by Colin Wee on Nov 29, 2005 10:14:11 GMT 8
I believe I heard (I think it was actually a marketing/industry company) that the average (or recommended? I can't remember which) was three years training twice a week. Everytime I think of this, I also think of the alternative - the myth to wear a white belt until it is blackened by the grime of training. What will it take for that to happen? Gives us all something to think about. Colin
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Post by wmioch on Nov 29, 2005 12:19:39 GMT 8
I can just about tell you. When I started at my last school, I was allowed to grade to 1st kyu directly because of my previous experience, but for the year and a bit that took, I wore only a white belt. Karate and Wrestling, and after I got my 1st Kyu, I then wore it to wrestling classes. It is a definite gray colour. I don't think I would call it a myth. Bill
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Post by Colin Wee on Nov 29, 2005 14:02:37 GMT 8
It is a definite gray colour. I don't think I would call it a myth. Bill No I'm sure the belt can definitely turn darker. I'm talking about the myth that that is how black belts developed. I mean that's all I've heard, rather than see any proof or documentation regarding this aspect of promotion/progression. From all I see of all martial arts photos, most of the practitioners are in loin cloths. No evidence of the 'white' belt. Colin
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Post by wmioch on Nov 29, 2005 17:59:54 GMT 8
I've heard a better one around the origin of the traditional coloured belts leading up to black belt. About having a white belt that turns yellow with pollen during spring, then green from the grass, then brown as the stain ages and eventually black. But you're right, there are a lot of loin clothes. Bill
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Post by Colin Wee on Nov 29, 2005 18:50:09 GMT 8
I've heard a better one around the origin of the traditional coloured belts leading up to black belt. About having a white belt that turns yellow with pollen during spring, then green from the grass, then brown as the stain ages and eventually black. But you're right, there are a lot of loin clothes. Bill Hey ... that's a good story! I'll remember that one. :-) Colin
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Post by sifuwhite on Nov 29, 2005 20:15:23 GMT 8
You guys are funny, and I thought I was deranged.
Tim
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Post by supergroup7 on Dec 2, 2005 2:25:44 GMT 8
"From all I see of all martial arts photos, most of the practitioners are in loin cloths." Oh no.. no.. no... I'm not interested in going back in history and training in loin cloths.
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Post by Colin Wee on Dec 2, 2005 10:50:14 GMT 8
"From all I see of all martial arts photos, most of the practitioners are in loin cloths." Oh no.. no.. no... I'm not interested in going back in history and training in loin cloths. I'll give it a go if my students will. I'm keen to try anything once! Colin
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Post by supergroup7 on Dec 10, 2005 3:34:40 GMT 8
Now that I reread this post, I realized that I had not answered Sifu White's question.
Belated, but at least present.. I offer this:
I feel that we are too fast at producing the glamourous Black belt. The average time that I've seen mentioned is 3 to 4 years to achieve the level. I fit into that statistic at 3 years for my Shodan. I feel that I should have at least trained double that amount of time to get my Shodan... 6 years at least.
But.. I allow myself the consolation that I have the rest of my life to train up to the skills that I should be capable of doing to represent my rank.
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Post by sbwright on Feb 6, 2006 7:19:00 GMT 8
I would say 4 years, in western society assuming 3 training sessions per week. But then it also depends on what meaning goes with this belt. Western society sees the BB as an end point where in reality it is just a beginning.
To me a black belt is a committed student, one who has committed to training for the rest of their lives.
On a side note belt rankings are fairly modern and originally there were only black and white. The myth about wearing a white belt is just that - a myth ;D
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Post by supergroup7 on Feb 23, 2006 23:43:22 GMT 8
To me a black belt is a committed student, one who has committed to training for the rest of their lives.
I agree! A Black belt would be committed to walking the path of martial arts.
AHA!... So how long would it take to assess if one of your students are committed to their training? From my experiences, I've noticed that most people come into the dojo filled with aspirations, and energy, and even eagerness to learn. Yet, so many leave the dojo (for a variety of reasons).
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