How many years does it take to become a black belt in karate?

Answer 1

First, a black belt is really not the top rank, it is in the middle. A black belt learns certain moves in their system of training and reaches a certain level of competence and maturity. In our school they also have to show confidence, a humble, respectful attitude and show that they have a good enough grasp of the style to be able to "graph" their own moves. It takes three to five years, depending on their commitment level, how often they attend classes, and whether they utilize other learning opportunities. For instance, we do not usually push tournaments, but attending tournaments does help you learn by exposing you to different fighting styles.

We also give three different levels of black belts. A child can get a "black belt" in a few years, but will have to retest for his adult black belt no sooner than age 16. A junior belt is usually given to a child 12-16, again they will continue training and get an adult belt when ready. It takes an adult longer to earn a black belt than it does a child, because more is expected from them.

Answer 2

When i started training in Goju Ryu way back in the 1970's, it was not uncommon to be 30 years old before you reached Black belt level. Now you can start at 3 and reach Black belt at 6! I question the wisdom in this.
What next?
True 'Karate' is very hard to find now and that's a shame. Perhaps the world of martial arts needs to get back to basics, No child should be given a Black belt. A Black belt was once a 'Special thing'. It is not now.

Answer 3

At my school it takes 3-3 1/2 years.
Jenn a is right when she says that a "Black Belt" is not the top rank. Getting your black belt just means that you have the basics down and can continue your training without much help from the instructors.
This is where you develope your own moves and variations of others moves. When you get your own "style".

The whole dipping belts in paint? I've never heard of this. Belt color was introduced into Judo when it became a competitive sport and was adopted by the other arts. It was just a way to categorize competitors so it was more fare.

I believe the whole everyone wears a white belt and it becomes dirtier the more you train until its black, and the dipping it in paint are just myths. The belt is only to hold your gi together.

Answer 4

Becoming a black belt depends on your age and physical condition, the number of classes you attend regularly and the amount of practice you do on your own. Assuming you attend two classes per week and practice diligently at home, young children, approximately ages 6 to 10 may take from 4 to 8 years. Adults may take 3 - 6 years. If someone is really dedicated and disciplined, the time periods may be somewhat shorter. Studying for black belt is similar to attending school. It took you 12 years or full time education to be able to graduate from high school. The skills acquired as a black belt will last all your life, but take time to learn.

Answer 5

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Well, it happens here in Japan. Especially in high schools and colleges/universities. It doesn't happen that often, but it does happen more than one would think. But these are often not really style specific places. A number of factors can come into play. He may be naturally skilled. He may have had some kind of previous training. It may have been the school rules. Or he may have trained like a total madman and somehow made enough progress that they wanted to reward him.... who knows. A typical "club" at a high school or university will train several hours a day for 4-6 days a week. That comes to 8-24 hours a week. Even during the summer holidays (only a month here, not 2 like in North America), they have training. So if they have an average of 40 weeks (typically more, but I am lowballing it) of training, they would put in 320-1000 hours of training. At the low end (320 hours), it would be hard to believe that the person could be skilled enough to get a higher rank. But at 800-1000 hours of training... well, that is comparable to a lot of so-so dojos in the rest of the world (4hours a week x 40 weeks x 5 years = 800 hours). **Please note*** Do I agree with this? NO. But this is one way to look at it. And remember that Japanese students do not need to learn as much about the counting, the traditions, etc. They use the sempai/kohai stuff in everyday life. They do not argue with sensei. And so on.

Answer 6

That really depends on how quick you are to learn, and also depends on your instructor. My answer to you would be: It will take as long as it takes, providing you are going to a reputable place. A lot of times in poor Dojo's they will pass you on, just so that they can sell you the next belt.

I met a 6 year old with a blackbelt in Karate. She joined when she was 3. I am not sure giving her all these belts was wise, and I am very leary when it takes such a short time to get your belts. What do you think?

Answer 7

Why are you in a such rush? What good will it do if you have black belt but you can't even fend off a 12 years old gangsta wannabe?

Stop worry about belts and you will see your skill develope and who care what your belt color is if you can whoop all black belt asses? I would rather to be a white belt that can beat a black belts up instead of other way around.

Answer 8

It depends on the school. But if it takes less than about 4-5 years, the school is most definitely craptastic. Experience counts for way more than the color of a belt.

BTW, ATFS is wrong. It is a modern idea but not really an American one. Martial arts wasn't even introduced into America until relatively recently.

Answer 9

The belts are colored because when marital arts was first introdouced every body would have a light (white belt) after tests they dipped it into dye as they advanced evtually so much that it was just black look at paint when you mix soo much paint evetuallyy it is blak it is not an american idea

Answer 10

Right on, Sensei Rob. I don't know how many times I have said that line about "a belt just holds your pants up" in the past to youngsters who are itching for a black belt.

There are so many urban myths in the martial arts, it's hard to tell just where the truth is anyway. The history of belts may or may not be as has been stated. But the point really is that this is the system that most of us are stuck with so that's the way it is.

I think that everyone seems to agree that you never stop learning. One should always be looking back inside the arts, not just to create "your own moves", but to unify your movement. To train conceptually as well as physically.

I can't say how many times I have assisted in seminars, training camps and the like, where these supposed black belts are moving more like beginners than like the trained athletes they are. Why is that? I think that it's because they were more focused on the physical aspect of the art, not necessarily the mental aspects.

Why is it that professional sports stars seem to not only be excellent at their chosen sport, but also at others as well? (I am thinking of those contests when they take athletes "out of their element" and put them to the test in other sport venues) I think it's because these athletes have somehow managed to transfer the discipline of one athletic endeavor to another. Whether consciously or not, they can do it and excel at it.

I believe that's what it means to be a black belt in the martial arts. If you'll pardon the physics reference, just like Albert Einstein tried to create a unified theory of quantum physics, black belts should be diligently training to create their own personal unified theory of movement - what are the keys, physically, conceptually, spiritually, etc., to your expression of your art? AND can you pass on your knowledge so that someone else can learn what you have learned and build upon it?

After all, knowledge is not something to be hoarded. To have any value at all, it must be shared with at least one other person.

And as for the actual question - "how long does it take?" ...

It take a lifetime to learn it, understand it, and pass it on. The color of the belt you wear just shows how far you've gone on the journey with no end. And really, it only shows one aspect of who you are as a martial artist, let alone as a person.

Good Luck and Peace.
VT