Quote:
Originally posted by Samuel2003
Personally, I'm not really concerned about rank.
I took a couple of years of Tang Soo Do back in the day and, even then, I missed a few testing opportunities (never got my black) but it was no big deal.
These days, all the guys in the different training circles I frequent are also really not too concerned about rank.
If, however, I was limited in learning/training by a ranking system, then that Would also be a concern to me...
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Yes Samuel, I agree. Rank, in and of itself, doesn't really concern me either. EXCEPT, that I can't really progress to the next level of learning until I achieve the appropriate rank. So I was spinning my wheels. It began to be a task to go to the dojo, rather than something enjoyable.
A2Pilot, thanks for the info. on ranking in your system. FYI, in ours it works this way:
There is no testing during regular class time, in your home dojo, or even by your Sensei. You test at a central location in front of a panel of three Senseis (actually there are three panels going concurrently--9 Senseis in all).
You are tested on your basics (depending on level--stances, front punch, front snap kick, rising block, downward block, roundhouse kick, inward block, outward block, reverse punch, jab, etc. etc.) both while stionary and while moving. Then kata (forms), which is more like a choreographed fight than anything else. First kata is 22 moves. They get longer as you advance. Once you reach higher levels they introduce kumite (sparring) into the equation as well.
Only children (under 16? - not sure of the cut-off) get stripes. Under the age of 7 they get red stripes - 6 needed to advance in rank. 8 and above get black stripes--4 needed to advance. Adults are tested on a pass/fail basis.
My son took Karate for 6 months, then tested and was awarded 3 black stripes. this was the best anyone in the class did. He just tested again, after a full year of class, and got three more stripes, making him an orange belt + 1 stripe. If he does well in December and gets another 3 stripes, he could get his yellow belt. But essentially, they make it very difficult to advance more than 1 rank in a year.