If you're a black belt in one discipline, will it be an advantage as far as learning another discipline?

Question

After a 2 and a half year hiatus, I'm looking to get back into the martial arts but I'm looking into studying another discipline. Just to learn a diverse set of skills and get in shape.

Answer 1

Hi there

This really depends on the styles. For example if you have a black belt in Jujutsu and wanted to learn Aikido then yes it would be a benefit having some prior knowledge. However if you came from a Karate background and wanted to learn Aikido then it wouldn't help at all other than that the arts were the same language so you would be familiar with the terminology.

I have two Dan grades in different arts. I had to study hard for both and start right back at the beginning. Having a black belt in my first art created more of a stumbling block than anything else.

Be humble and train with an open mind,

Having a degree in Law doesnt make it easier studying for a degree in medicine.

Best wishes

Idai

Answer 2

It most definitely is an advantage to learn more disciplines, if you don't wish to go farther.

Having a black belt just means that you've learned the basics. That might be all you need in the fighting ranges that your style covers (And this is what is meant by "Weaknesses" normally), but you have to find your own blend, and virtually make your own art with a strong foundation.

Bruce Lee was really big on the concept, and that's one reason why Jeet Kune Do concepts is influential to a lot of people in the martial arts world. Practicality isn't objective, so you have to find what techniques work for you. You can't expect yourself to be skilled enough to be able to take anyone in the fighting ranges that your style works in.

You can have confidence, but it's the dumbest thing in the world to think training in one or two ranges is t3h ultimate. There's grapplers that take strikers down, and there's strikers that sprawl grapplers, or strike them (Usually a good knee on the way down) before they can shoot, and vice versa. It keeps happening over and over, and Lee is a big reason why a lot of people want to be well-rounded.

There's some styles that do teach fighting in all ranges, but there's very few that don't have some underlying fighting range that is strived for. Think of the difference between wrestling, and MMA.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Depends greatly on your teacher. Most arts think of "black belt" as meaning something. A black belt means you got through basics and are ready to learn "the good stuff". So learning a "different" style will be easier as you already have the basics and just need to execute them under the philosophy of your new system/style. This is just the tip. Someone said that you should learn "something" that will cover the weaknesses of your first art. Every art has everything in it, there should be no "weaknesses". Of course, there are, because of black belts calling themselves masters.

Answer 4

Yes. Generally that is when most people are advised to branch out anyways.

They say its best to start off in one art only as a base, then get your black belt or 9 years of study (it should be the same thing, not a black belt in 1 year or 6 months), then take arts that will cover your base art's weaknesses in punching, kicking, trapping or clinching, and grappling.

Answer 5

Yes. You have established a foundation in MA. You can use the things you have to help you remember the things you will learn.

All martial arts are related in some way or another. You already have reference points in which you can develop a solid foundation in any art.

Answer 6

Yes.

Instead of learning from scratch you will be memorizing the differences from the style you earned your Black Belt in.
(some are small,depending on the art))

My "New Years" resolution is to start training again,in a style that is new to me.Doing a little research I noticed the forms,are not so different.

Tae Kwon Do (first Form)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz1LKIKxFYQ

Kyokushin (first Kata)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOEgRrWZh48

They are the same.

I started in 1972 in what now is called "old school" Tae Kwon Do.
(we punched and elbowed the hell out of each other).
We fought in Karate Tournaments not Tae Kwon Do Tournaments like they do today.Bare knuckle,no safety gear,(mouth piece and cup only)
lots of bruises,tons of fun.
I like this Kyokushin style,I think it will be great to be training again.I found great training here in town for $50.00 a month.

I wish I was younger.

Answer 7

i agree with the general consensus here. and just to make the point clear, let me turn you to some great martial artists.
I've heard many interviews with past and current MMA fighters who say they started with one martial art and after achieving "black belt" status, they started to see the weaknesses in their own art and then branched out looking for the answers they were asking.
Bruce Lee said to be like the nature of water. in other words learn to flow and change when you need to. he also said that he wished that he knew the value of boxing (pugilism) earlier in his career.
all this just to say never fear to learn other styles.

Answer 8

yes because when you receive your black belt it basically means you have mastered the basics.. well not mastered but know them very well... and many styles include many of the same basics. and since your used to training in martial arts you will know a little of what to expect. so yes it is an advantage

Answer 9

Depends on the art. A black sash in kung fu won't help in most karate styles. But a black belt in Judo will help you in Jiu-Jitsu, and vice versa.

Answer 10

Learn them all if you can. It's always good to know ones advisory. Knowing all discipline's will enhance your chances of victory, in case you need to do battle.