Reaching Black Belt: A New Beginning in Martial Arts

Mr. Craig Willits, Chief Instructor at Spotsylvania Martial Arts in Fredericksburg VA, discusses the meaning of the black belt in martial arts, and how it should be viewed not as an end in itself training, but as the beginning of a new stage of growth and development in the martial arts.

Among people who know little about martial arts, it's a commonly-held myth that a student who earns a black belt is a "master" of their art.  When someone finds out you are a black belt, it's common for them to say, "Wow, you're a martial arts expert -- I'd better not mess with you."  Often, but not always, they are joking.

It's not clear where how the perception of black belt as expert arose, although media portrayals of martial arts "stars" of the 1950s through 1970s gradually helped build our modern image of what a martial arts black belt should be.  However, the fact is that simply holding black belt rank does not, and has never, implied the holder is a martial arts expert.  In Japanese, second through ninth degree black belts are referred to by number (example: nidan, second degree), while first degree black belts are referred to as shodan (Korean, chodan), "beginning step."  The concept is that of beginning a process.  Thus, to a Japanese or Korean, the first black belt rank the student reaches is merely the start of a new phase of martial arts development.

In our own style of traditional martial arts, it takes three or more years to reach first degree black belt.  During that time, we focus on the physical basics of the martial arts and the character development necessary to function as a black belt.  When a student earns their first degree, we remove them from the color belt class and put them in a class with other black belts.  The pace is faster and the training is far more demanding, but the martial arts subject matter is broader and deeper.  Our students find it is a completely new way of looking at the martial arts.  That's the way it should be -- black belt training should be a major step up.

That's why it is so frustrating when a student earns their first degree black belt, then says, "I've trained hard in martial arts for the past several years, and it's time for a break."  Or when a parent says they want their child to earn a black belt, and then move on to some other activity.  It's sad, because they are missing out on the real training, the kind only possible after paying one's dues to develop enough basic skill to be able to learn advanced martial arts techniques.

Even sadder is the fact that many martial arts students don't have the option of taking their training to the next level.  Black-belt-level training in the East Asian martial arts is poor to non-existent in most commercial schools in this country.  This kind of environment almost guarantees students will quit martial arts when they reach first degree black belt, because after that milestone they have nothing to look forward to.  So many students quit martial arts at this point that it's become accepted practice to do so.  It's a disservice to the martial arts, because it causes people to forget that a first degree black belt is still relatively new to the martial arts.  It's like getting accepted to a prestigious university, then never enrolling in classes.

So when you decide to train in martial arts, look for a school that has a large group of actively-training black belts and has regular black-belt-only class meetings (more than once per week).  It may not matter now, but when you reach first degree black belt at that school, you know you will be able to continue training at a high level.  It's a sign the school is serious about their training, and views true martial arts as a lifetime process.

Spotsylvania Martial Arts offers a free trial program in the following areas:

• Tiny Tigers (Martial Arts Pre-Skill Program for Ages 4-6): Physical and Mental Agility, Focus, Awareness, Child Safety
• Traditional Martial Arts for Children (Ages 6-12): Better Grades, Self-Discipline, Respect, Enhanced Focus, Child Safety
• Traditional Martial Arts for Teens & Adults (Ages 13 and Up): Self-Discipline, Physical Fitness, Goal-Setting, Self Defense
  
  

Spotsylvania Martial Arts Training Facility
4100 Lafayette Blvd, Fredericksburg VA 22408
Commerce Center Plaza (across from Spotswood Baptist Church)
Phone: 540-891-9008

Website: spotsybba.com; Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

© 2010 Spotsylvania Martial Arts