in hapkido or other arts are there differnet requirements?

Question

for a child/teen to earn a black belt than an adult? if the teen gets a black belt, must he do anything else when he reach adulthood? or is the belt good forever no matter what age its earned?

Answer 1

Quicksilver, I have to totally disagree with you on this one. A child, no matter how well they seem to perfom can not truely be a Dan rank. This is one point, slong with the speed at which the black belts are attained, that has given many people a bad taste in thier mouths for American martial arts schools. Once legitmiately earned, that rank is with you forever.

In many traditional styles, and using my style of Goju Ryu karate as an example, the student must be at least 16 or so in order to receive a black belt. Younger are not considered as having the physical or emotional maturity that the rank symbolizes.

The black belt is not a symbol of commitment, like a "perfect attendance award", and definately not a certification as an instructor. A black belt is a symbol of recognition that the student has mastered the basic techniques of his/her style, as well as having demonstrated the physical maturity to properly execute them, and a level of emotional maturity demonstrated by self control and self discipline not normally associated with children (no matter how well behaved) and is ready to begin learning advanced techniques. It is definately more than being asked to assist in instructing junior students.

Also, you are not even eligible to become certified as an instructor until San Dan, 3rd degree black belt, and even then, just because you have that rank does not mean that the international organization will grant you the certification as an instructor. In order to do so you must demonstrate much higher levels of physical and emotional development as well as skills in instruction.

Answer 2

If the school knows what it's talking about any child under 17, who receives a black belt would technically be called a Jr. Black Belt.

The idea is that training in techniques and methods that "adults" train in could actually damage a child, who is still growing and developing, in a permanent way. At 17, a black belt may be required to learn additional techniques and katas that would be required for adult black belts.

Answer 3

the only thing you're required to do in any discipline as a black belt is to be able to teach the class or a portion of the class if the Master instructor asks you to.

or if the Master instructor is talking to another student or parent then you should take the initiative to lead the class in the daily practices so that the rest of the class can get their class time.

once you earn the 1st degree blackbelt you are considered "certified" as as teacher of the discipline that is the basiscs of being a Dan level belt, 2nd degree is very similar.

The Black belt is merely a symbol of your dedication to the discipline you study, so it's good no matter what age you earned it at.

Answer 4

there should be one requirement for black belt,how can you truly be a black belt if the requirements are changed to suit your age or sex or whatever?in some styles you are required to regrade for your blackbelt(if you got it as a junior)when you reach adulthood?whatever age that is? Having a blackbelt doesn,t mean the the same thing these days,they just give them away to anyone that can afford the gradings.(unfortunate but true)