Belt Rankings?

Question

Are you guys for belt rankings or against it?

Personally, i am against it, because it is sort of a bribe, making students visualize that "goal" while training. and it shows off your supposed talents in the form of a colored belt. I beleive your skills in martial arts should not be showcased in such a way. One of the things i am most against is when there are tests to see if you are good enough to get one. In fact, i have turned down many CMA schools until i came to a certain mantis school, because the beltless situation lets the master decide when your ready. Also, unlike my old TKD school, there are no more on lookers requesting a black belt to preform some kind of move they think is impressive and determines if you are a skilled martial practicioner.

Answer 1

i am against it, however the belts do show how much training you have had and it helps the public visualize how much training you have had alot of times the public doesn't like to hear things like "he has four years of training under him" they want to hear belt colors and things like that.....A true martial artist doesn't need a colored belt to tell him that he is good at what he does. I have practiced the art for over 10 years now and it has made be a better person not in combat but in life, i have never once used this on another person so a belt means nothing to me.

Answer 2

Personally ive seen Brown belts on UFC take out such and such a degree black belts, or so called black belts at least.

My class rarely mentions the belt system though we do use it. One thing extra ill mention is that my instrctor treats everybody differently, in that sense, the emphasis is mostly placed on knowledge and comprehension of the teachings completely considering each students potential in the process. Its a really good way to teach if you ask me, but in this case it causes a problem due to the belt system because there a lower belted person can actually be considered better at performing than his superiour. Sometimes the gap between them is 3 belts.

With that, I think they should do away with the belt system and replace it with something else. It just causes problems and is a vague indicator of a persons ability at best.

Answer 3

Why would you hate a test? Most of the time the testing is only a formality. I'm willing to bet that the reason you hate a test is the exact same reason you should take tests head-on and just do them.

I've trained at four TKD studios spread over four cities in two different countries and never has onlookers "requesting a black belt to prefrom [sic] some kind of move." Sounds like your Kwanjangnim should have put that in check.

I have no problems with belts, just like I have no problem with keeping my degrees from my universities, or knowing my family members' military ranks.

Answer 4

Well to be honest, America makes more Black Belts than all Asian countries combined. That having been said, in Japan they have two belts White and Black. Thats the way it is. All the colored belts do is make someone MONEY. When Your a black belt, your a black belt. Until then Your NOT.

Answer 5

hello hello.whether or not you agree or disagree with belts it really comes down to how much focus and attention is put on the belts.and youve got it wrong,the sensei decides when your ready and has the power to make you that rank anyway.the test is just a way of confirming his belief in that student.i do agree that some schools use the belt ranking system in the wrong way.there called mcdojos and if they didnt have belts they would just find another way of taking your money.any martial artist worth his salt knows a belt is just a piece of cotton.are you a martial artist?if so why are you focusing so much on belts or lack of?

Answer 6

yeah i hate the belts... lie some poeple ask me and expect me to know thing because im a black belt and im thinking a black belt means nothing now a days because some schools are so bad!! i mean when some black belts transfer they have such a bad atatude and they try to show off when they cant even do the move right! and if i never got a color belt i woudent care!JUST DOING WHAT I LOVE AND WHAT I LIVE FOR IS ALL WORTH IT....

Answer 7

It all depends on your system you decide to train in,I choose Goju Ryu,this is an old system developed back in the 1500 B.C.era,by the in slaved Okinawans by the Japanese.On the Ryu kyu island chain.The belts were devised for recognition just like military rank so it is very admirable and self gratifying to posses high rank it also meant wisdom,ans that you were a great warrior to have made it through the battles without dying.I hold a San Dan in this style I am very proud and have won approximately55 trophy's and plaques in the U.S.K.A.they really helped me find my life bless my Sensei,and all the Masters that keep the style alive.

Answer 8

ah i dont hate the system I mean be proud of your rank but the problem is to many shcools hand belts out to anyone in a gi schools talk about havung 100 or what ever black belts but I can give any a black belt at the shcool I own so its doe snot mean much i think it would mean alot more if there were only 1 governing body to deciede when you were a black belt since now a brown belt at one karate shcool might be better then the black belts at another karate shcool

Answer 9

belt rankings are pretty unfair

Answer 10

educated I agree