Skip Dan promotions, when is it ok?
- Thread starter Twin Fist
- Start date
Dancingalone asked:
I honestly didn't think that happened outside of the ATA. When we joined, they wanted to promote me based on prior experience, but I declined and started at white.
Since then we have had 2 practitioners of Okinawan Karate join at different times. They are both still taking classes, but they also chose to start at white.
Toughest white belts we have at this time. Sparring with them is always a nice surprise.
I honestly didn't think that happened outside of the ATA. When we joined, they wanted to promote me based on prior experience, but I declined and started at white.
Since then we have had 2 practitioners of Okinawan Karate join at different times. They are both still taking classes, but they also chose to start at white.
Toughest white belts we have at this time. Sparring with them is always a nice surprise.
I think that a lot depends on the nature of one's prior experience. A first dan in, say, Shotokan would have a very easy time picking up the KKW curriculum. In fact, I witnessed that first hand at our school when a shotokan yudansha joined our dojang.
He insisted on starting off at white belt, but he was promoted very quickly because really, all he had to do was learn forms and adjust his technique very, very slightly.
On the other hand, a judo yudansha (with only judo experience) or similar BJJ blackbelt would have no comparable experience to the taekwondo curriculum. Although both would undoubtedly be in good condition, particluarly if they hadn't take any time off from training, but they'd need to learn the strikes, blocks, stances, sparring style and forms, and should start at the beginning.
Daniel
He insisted on starting off at white belt, but he was promoted very quickly because really, all he had to do was learn forms and adjust his technique very, very slightly.
On the other hand, a judo yudansha (with only judo experience) or similar BJJ blackbelt would have no comparable experience to the taekwondo curriculum. Although both would undoubtedly be in good condition, particluarly if they hadn't take any time off from training, but they'd need to learn the strikes, blocks, stances, sparring style and forms, and should start at the beginning.
Daniel
Honestly, TF, given the availablility of attachable colored stripes, I don't see any reason why a bunch of different belts are even necessary.
Just a white belt to which the student attaches a stripe when they pass the test. Those little stripes cost a whole lot less than belts too.
Daniel
Just a white belt to which the student attaches a stripe when they pass the test. Those little stripes cost a whole lot less than belts too.
Daniel
That is what would now be called an old wives' tale. It is an attempt at explaining the logic behind all those colors in the belt system. To paraphrase:
In ancient times, the practitioner's obi would be white, and as he practiced it would slowly darken until he had a black belt. That is why the belts get darker as the modern practitioner progresses.
In reality, Kano used a white and black belt because they contrast. One denoted the advanced students and the other not- advanced students.
Anyhow, soiled white belts only get more yellowed, but they don't eventually turn black.
Funny thing is that if you practice a lot, after years of wear, a black belt actually begins to show white.
Daniel
dancingalone
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That's likely an apocryphal story invented to mystify the martial arts in impressive fashion to lay people. The black belt/dan ranking system was invented by Jigaro Kano of judo fame. I believe he started out with white, brown, and black belts only, but over the years the entire rainbow of colors have been added as karate and taekwondo adopted Kano's idea.
Sure they do. All that blood and motor oil anyone training in a real art is likely to land in will surely turn a white belt black in exactly three years.
Not completely black. You'd have black spots, light and dark green spots (grass stains) brown spots, and even some white spots and .... oh... my... it isn't a black belt, now its a .... camo belt?
Daniel
