So background, I've studied martial arts 15 of the last 30 years earning black belts in TKD, Tang Soo Do, and Jujitsu but moved to a new city and had to find a new instructor. I found one I like that teaches Shito-Ryu and of course I started out at white belt but the new instructor (and when I say new I mean new to me and just opened the studio) started talking quickly about whether I'd compete. I like to compete but told him I thought it best that I test at least once before I'd compete as I felt an assessment of skill was needed to properly assign rank before competing, as a fairness to my competitors.
I took my first test and I was promoted from 10th kyu to 9th kyu. The thing is Tang Soo Do is basically Shotokan Karate. The execution of movements are very different in some cases and only slightly with others but the same forms. I've adjusted all of my basic movements to Shito-Ryu quickly and he's started to work with me on some of the more advanced ones as well.
I've changed schools several times because I have moved a lot but that kind of rank advancement I haven't experienced since I first started. None of my instructors have worked with me for months and then tested me to give me an assessment of still being a novice. I am confused as to if it is just what he considered standard to only promote one rank at a time but I can say that I don't feel I should be competing against yellow belts at competitions and am unable to decide how I should approach him on the subject.
I took my first test and I was promoted from 10th kyu to 9th kyu. The thing is Tang Soo Do is basically Shotokan Karate. The execution of movements are very different in some cases and only slightly with others but the same forms. I've adjusted all of my basic movements to Shito-Ryu quickly and he's started to work with me on some of the more advanced ones as well.
I've changed schools several times because I have moved a lot but that kind of rank advancement I haven't experienced since I first started. None of my instructors have worked with me for months and then tested me to give me an assessment of still being a novice. I am confused as to if it is just what he considered standard to only promote one rank at a time but I can say that I don't feel I should be competing against yellow belts at competitions and am unable to decide how I should approach him on the subject.