i was watching a black belt candidate class at karate america and..?

Question

there was this one girl. who looks really good. looked about 16 years old, and coudl really kick some *** lol. and there wwere these 3 boys who looked like 4 years youngre than her. and were just flailing their arms and legs about with no style at all. they looked pathetic, what does this mean for the school? also the instructor says to me, a person could get their black belt in 2 years, or it could take their whole life. they also have the policy. the first month is free. then if you wish to continue, its 100$ a month and you sign a contract until you get yoru green belt. then they take peopel from green all the way to black belt. does this seem normal? all i see other than this is a lot of tae kwon do schools and i really dont wna tto do that.

www.kaleaders.com

Answer 1

Don't worry about the belts. They really have no significance other than to help people (especially children *have you noticed kids classes have more belts?*) get motivated, and pay out more money. Just keep your eye on the true purpose of you taking the class. Gaining spiritual growth/ knowledge, getting healthier, disciplined, in shape, knowing how to defend yourself, or whatever it may be is your goal! If you do that you will move up to black belt, quickly & when you get it, you will learn how insignificant it is, because you still have soo much to learn!

Answer 2

First of all what "pink" posted is true. The girl you saw has been working a hell of a lot longer than the boys and she is already a Black Belt. She is supposed to be better, and set an example as something for them to work towards. It's harder than it looks to memorize the combos, forms and advanced moves that they do. Their test isn't in the near future and they still have time to improve. Just because they are in the class doesn't mean they are for sure going to pass their Black Belt Tests.

"What does this mean for the school?"...Well I suggest you sit down and watch a few Masters Team classes at either of the schools and see what other students have achieved. Karate America has produced some "kick ***" Black Belts; insulting three hard working brown belt _KIDS_ is downright mean.

I agree the instructor would never say that a person could get their black belt in 2 years. You must have misunderstood him. If you don't meet the requirements then you don't advance. Some people get their blackbelts in 3 1/2 years, for others it does take a lot longer.

Tuition--Actually it's $99 a month if we're gonna get technical. Also you dont 'have' to sign a contract that takes you from Green Belt to Black Belt. There are shorter agreements for the student's individual situation. "does this seem normal?" If you have so many questions, ask the office staff or instructors about it.

I don't appreciate you insulting the school and its students on _Yahoo! Answers_. Don't you have anything better to do...Here's an Idea! Go to class and get your moneys worth~!

Answer 3

I am attending this school, and I can tell from your description the class you saw on Friday afternoon. Let me explain to you that the students you viewed are not all eligible to get their black belts at the up coming test, but they were attending the class to learn and improve their skills to prepare for a test in the future. It is called a Candidates class, and they are required to attend beginning at Brown Belt when their test is still at least a year away. Also, the teenage girl you saw is a Black Belt who is earning her Second Degree right now. I hope that the kids don't read this site, and get discouraged because they are not as skilled as someone who has been working hard for over six years to hone her martial arts, while they have been learning for less than four.

The instructor you spoke with would not tell you that it takes 2 years to get a black belt in this system; it varies but the minimum time would be 3 1/2 years. I have not been a student here for long, but I have never felt that the school is a "McDojo" that is trying to squeeze money out of my family. In fact, I find the tuition prices competative with other schools I've researched in the area. And I really feel the quality of instruction is worth the price many times over.

Answer 4

The girl may have had the benefit of training somewhere else first and moved and started studying at that school more recently. Or she may just take the execution of her techniques and her skill more seriously than the three boys since she is a little more older and mature. Unfortunately some schools that do promote younger children to black belt have just promoted them through the ranks to keep them motivated and coming or paying. That is probably why you see a disparity between the two and while that does not justify it some mediocre instructors and schools do that. Then a few years later they have a student who has been practicing doing things poorly that they have promoted who now is testing for his black belt.

As for getting a black belt in two years I would avoid any school or instructor that says that. Two years is hardly enough time to gain the knowledge, skill, and experience that the term black belt represents. Two year wonders, as we sometimes call them, usually are at about a blue belt level in a traditional school that has good standards. Check out the other schools even if they are TKD. You may find that one is acceptable and has higher standards and turns out a much more quality product than the school you have already visited.

Answer 5

Karate America Complaints

Answer 6

Myself, I would hesitate joining any dojo that required me to sign a contract to stay there until this or that belt or time period.

It sounds like the 3 boys did not take their training seriously and that the girl took her training seriously. The fact that all were going for the black belts might be slightly discouraging to the girl. I would think "I put all this time into it and deserve to test, but they put almost no time in it and are at the same place. I might have wasted my time." Or something to that extent.

I would go looking for another place to take martial arts. Preferably some place without contracts.

Answer 7

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
i was watching a black belt candidate class at karate america and..?
there was this one girl. who looks really good. looked about 16 years old, and coudl really kick some *** lol. and there wwere these 3 boys who looked like 4 years youngre than her. and were just flailing their arms and legs about with no style at all. they looked pathetic, what does this mean for...

Answer 8

Many things to watch out for. It also depends on what types of Karate he practices. Shotokan or Kyoushin. Either way, his strikes will be fast so keep your guard up constantly. You depicted him as "overweight" so his kick speed shouldn't be a problem at all. His flexibility will also be restricted because of this. Nevertheless, watch out for his "sweeps." It's a technique that is used in Kumite (sparring) in Karate. The fighter will use their front or back foot and hit the back of your knee hard and knock you off balance. If I'm not being clear, type in "Lyoto Machida" on YouTube. Watch for his foot "sweeping" motion. (literally like a brooms) It knocks the opponent off balance and the fight will move to the ground. I don't know how experienced you are at BBJ, but if its a ground fight then you should have no problem. Note that some of the kick will be easier to spot coming, but some will be surprising. For instance, he may use a front snap kick. In his fighting stance, instead of kicking with his back leg, he'll kick with his front leg. It will catch many fighter off guard and it will daze you guaranteed.

Answer 9

Yeah, sounds pretty normal to me. It's just the way they do business. My husband and I own a TKD school, and we personally don't do contracts because they just don't work in a smallish town. But go watch another class and see if they teach what you want to learn. Any good school should let you take at least a couple of classes for free before you make a commitment to sign up, especially with a contract involved.

Good luck in finding what you are looking for!

Answer 10

I am a black belt in Karate. (I am not lieing)

It does not matter on the belt color, it matters on maturity, respect, and abliity.

I know fellow blackbelts who act up a lot, and do not act their rank.
It took me about 4 years to get my black belt, only because I goofed off, and was not mature enough to test and pass...when I got my black belt, and I felt it around my waist, I felt proud, strong, mature and confident....

At the karate I atended you could join the black belt club, which was a 2 year contract, so you could show up a train for your black...
then there were test contract were you come for a year, or 6 months.

I was in the black belt club for 6 years...it took 4 to get to black, then I trained for my secound degree...but school and homework got in the way. so I quite for a while...but I am entering up again because it is fun....=)