Comments on: Martial Arts Belt Rankings; Are They Worth Anything Today?

By: Wingchun London

Wingchun London — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 13:25:21 +0000

Will, there some disciplines doesn’t requires belting. BUT, it is a tradition of other disciplines. We should respect it. and respect is one of the most important rule of any Martial Arts.

Belting is also a symbol of what status you have in Martial Arts. By this way, you know who are the seniors. Others, counted how many matches(not fights)you win or how do master the art in years and by practice.

But what matters most is that we love martial arts as our way of life. Not just a sport or a discipline..
Wingchun London recently posted..Our Gallery

By: Modern Karate Arts

Modern Karate Arts — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 13:48:21 +0000

Should MY Black Belt Mean Anything To You?…

The Black Belt! The Impossible Dream These days it seems to be the Holy Grail for many karate-ka…The Black Belt. …even the most dedicated karate-ka is left with the question: “What’s next?” It stands as the goal they stri…

By: John W. Zimmer

John W. Zimmer — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 20:55:24 +0000

Hi Tim,

I agree that a black belt ought to be able to hold his own in a fight. The Kenpo style I’ve learned and applied is semi-traditional. We have all of the forms, self-defense techniques, and fighting of traditional and competed at tournaments, kick boxing and nowadays even incorporate jiu jitsu. I think today the McDojo question is not as important because from my point of view – the only thing that matters is fighting – not lineage or tradition. I’m glad the traditional has survived but I like non-traditional martial arts just as much. Thanks for commenting.

Hi Steve,

Totally agreed that self defense and sport karate is different and you bring up a great point about the likely use of karate (hopefully) as most people will be exposed to fighting/self defense.

I think from my point of view – so long as the karateka views his/her training as applicable to fighting or self defense and not a type of ballet… Even if untested – I think we are of a like mind. Thanks for your comment Steve.

By: Steve

Steve — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 15:20:22 +0000

I have held a 1st dan for over ten years and I am happy to leave it that way as I see some political josling within the senior belts and want nothing to do with it. The fighting element is important in some martial arts if you are to wear a black belt, however self defence is a different story again. You do not have to have full contact fights to gain self defence skills. The many years of training is designed for maybe the one or two times in your life you may need to escape an attacker or defend yourself and physical reaction should become second nature. The mind I believe is more important in these situations as this is usually a huge factor in any confrontation but in a self defence role it is vital you understand you are fighting to defend your life nothing less. Sure you can do better if you spend hours having full contact sports fighting but martial arts in the general sense is for protection of normal everyday people who are house wives etc and may not like violence but have the desire to protect themselves.

By: Over Half Way There… « On My Own Two Feet

Over Half Way There… « On My Own Two Feet — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 20:27:09 +0000

[...] Martial Arts Belt Rankings; Are They Worth Anything Today? (myselfdefenseblog.com) [...]

By: Tim

Tim — Mon, 31 May 2010 00:25:18 +0000

Interesting. I just wrote an article on McDojo’s today. check it out here: http://stoneybrookkarate.blogspot.com

By: John W. Zimmer

John W. Zimmer — Mon, 24 May 2010 06:00:43 +0000

Hi Pat,

I agree that a kid, however talented, could not back it up against an adult. It makes for good movies though.

Hi Andrew,

I took at look at your blog and added it to my “interesting blogs” section.

As far as fighting and winning – winning is always the goal and if one know how to fight properly – winning is achievable. However I have seen plenty of people promoted in my years in karate that have not been comfortable fighting but promoted because they have learn all of the material.

I for one might favor a fighting promotion rather than an academic one but my brown and black belt fighters had to be good fighters (to get the rank from me).

I guess I am assuming if one is a good fighter, he or she will probably win an altercation.