shihansmurf
Black Belt
I'm starting to feel like a Rob Redmond fanboy, but this article is outstanding.
http://www.24fightingchickens.com/2005/10/28/the-one-armed-man/
Exactly. While I don't expect that a 60 year old do the same things a 25 year old can, I also don't expect to award the same rank to a 60 year old.
I am personally a bit apathetic about the idea of a belt system in the first place having taught with one and without one, I gotta say if I am putting the bar out there for my students then ALL of them will have to leap over the same one. It simply unfair to lower the "standards" for any one student.
I also don't believe that everyone can earn a black belt. Huk Planas was quoted in the 60's or 70's as replying to the question of how long it takes an average person to earn a black belt with: "An average person can't earn one". Times have changed.
I won't award a Black Belt to anyone under 15. I know a lot of people don't agree with that and frankly I don't care. I think it is the right answer. I wouldn't award one to a person in a wheelchair, or a blind man, or even someone missing an appendage that prevents them from performing the requirements that I have for all my students. Others may, and such is there option. I wouldn't feel comfortable with it.
By awarding a rank, any rank for that matter, to a student I'm saying that they are trained and skilled in my art to whatever degree that rank represents. If I were to hand someone a belt because I felt bad for them because they had a handicap it would be a form of lying. If I were to lie to my students then how could they trust me? What would the effect be on the person that received the sham rank? They feel good about a B.S. "accomplishment"? Do they trust in their abilities, that I "certified" and develop an unrealistic view of their skill because I didn't have the courage to tell them the truth? I'm not willing to trade my integrity for a student's false sense of security and fleeting happiness. The trade off is unacceptable.
The first rule of Budo is "Do not think dishonestly." Al Tracey said that to me at a seminar when I was a young green belt. It made an impression.
One last thing. Great Topic.
Mark
http://www.24fightingchickens.com/2005/10/28/the-one-armed-man/
Requirements need to be set. At the same time I do not expect a 60 yr old to do what a 25 yr old can do.
Requirements are needed as far as kata/forms, technique, self defense applications, etc.
.
Exactly. While I don't expect that a 60 year old do the same things a 25 year old can, I also don't expect to award the same rank to a 60 year old.
I am personally a bit apathetic about the idea of a belt system in the first place having taught with one and without one, I gotta say if I am putting the bar out there for my students then ALL of them will have to leap over the same one. It simply unfair to lower the "standards" for any one student.
I also don't believe that everyone can earn a black belt. Huk Planas was quoted in the 60's or 70's as replying to the question of how long it takes an average person to earn a black belt with: "An average person can't earn one". Times have changed.
I won't award a Black Belt to anyone under 15. I know a lot of people don't agree with that and frankly I don't care. I think it is the right answer. I wouldn't award one to a person in a wheelchair, or a blind man, or even someone missing an appendage that prevents them from performing the requirements that I have for all my students. Others may, and such is there option. I wouldn't feel comfortable with it.
By awarding a rank, any rank for that matter, to a student I'm saying that they are trained and skilled in my art to whatever degree that rank represents. If I were to hand someone a belt because I felt bad for them because they had a handicap it would be a form of lying. If I were to lie to my students then how could they trust me? What would the effect be on the person that received the sham rank? They feel good about a B.S. "accomplishment"? Do they trust in their abilities, that I "certified" and develop an unrealistic view of their skill because I didn't have the courage to tell them the truth? I'm not willing to trade my integrity for a student's false sense of security and fleeting happiness. The trade off is unacceptable.
The first rule of Budo is "Do not think dishonestly." Al Tracey said that to me at a seminar when I was a young green belt. It made an impression.
One last thing. Great Topic.
Mark