black belt then quit?

[sawhit0]

Originally Posted by Chapel

I would hope not. That would be like getting a PhD in Psychology and then saying that you were sick of people complaining to you all the time.

LOL so true

[TKD&JKD]

Originally Posted by Them's Fighting Words

I quit grading after red belt (my styles equivelant of a black belt) in Silat but still continued to attend classes. If I wanted to grade higher, then I had to give up training in other martial arts. Fortunately for me, Silat had system whereby you could learn techniques for higher up levels or even from other styles through the favour of your teacher, a "gift technique". Also, my school had become a belt factory and I no longer saw belt rank as being very significant. It took me close to four years of training 6 days to get my red belt but now you train for two days a week for two years and BAM you're a red belt. The other styles I've practiced had no belt systems, you were taught what the instructors believed you could understand.

I respect that you don't care about the belt as long as you are still training. However have you ever considered teaching? Would this prohibit a future in teaching. Your willingness to not go for rank in an effort to become a more complete/ well rounded martial artist is admirable. I have a boxing gym I would like to start training at myself. However it's hard because I have been training for upcoming tournaments which has meant 4 or 5 days a week at my dojang. Combined with my 3x a week lifting and increased cardio it's hard to find the time.

[Gambatte Karate]

I have seen this many many times. In fact, I knew of a WHOLE FAMILY who was doing this. The parents put their kids in with the SOLE purpose of getting to 1st dan. They said that it was for their college. I was stupified. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why. Then they said it looks better on a college entrance application because it shows "dedication and folliwng through". I simply said "ummm...Ok" And left it at that. 4 kids...all got to 1st dan and then dropped out. The last one was actually EXCITED to be getting his 1st dan so that he could drop out. Sad really.

[john55]

Originally Posted by Gambatte Karate

I have seen this many many times. In fact, I knew of a WHOLE FAMILY who was doing this. The parents put their kids in with the SOLE purpose of getting to 1st dan. They said that it was for their college. I was stupified. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why. Then they said it looks better on a college entrance application because it shows "dedication and folliwng through". I simply said "ummm...Ok" And left it at that. 4 kids...all got to 1st dan and then dropped out. The last one was actually EXCITED to be getting his 1st dan so that he could drop out. Sad really.

The worst part is that the mom is right. it does look good on the application. I mean it wont make or break it but it looks good...but so does being on student council which doesnt really take any work. i would never recommend it just for college entrance

[MaliMisho]

Originally Posted by Gambatte Karate

I have seen this many many times. In fact, I knew of a WHOLE FAMILY who was doing this. The parents put their kids in with the SOLE purpose of getting to 1st dan. They said that it was for their college. I was stupified. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why. Then they said it looks better on a college entrance application because it shows "dedication and folliwng through". I simply said "ummm...Ok" And left it at that. 4 kids...all got to 1st dan and then dropped out. The last one was actually EXCITED to be getting his 1st dan so that he could drop out. Sad really.

That is so pathetic... They could have played a sport in school and it would have accomplished the same thing, with MUCH less effort... or they could have just studied and still not put in as much time and they would have looked good on their applications...

[MaliMisho]

Also I forgot to add, it would be a lot cheaper too...

[Draven]

Originally Posted by Gambatte Karate

I have seen this many many times. In fact, I knew of a WHOLE FAMILY who was doing this. The parents put their kids in with the SOLE purpose of getting to 1st dan. They said that it was for their college. I was stupified. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why. Then they said it looks better on a college entrance application because it shows "dedication and folliwng through". I simply said "ummm...Ok" And left it at that. 4 kids...all got to 1st dan and then dropped out. The last one was actually EXCITED to be getting his 1st dan so that he could drop out. Sad really.

I've seen that but in another direction; some people being short of funds will send a kid to learn one martial art then another kid to learn another martial art and make a game of having one kid teach the other kid what they learned. One kid has take up wrestling, another kid has to learn to box and another kid has to learn a Martial Art. Its all a socio-economics...

[Them's Fighting Words]

Originally Posted by TKD&JKD

I respect that you don't care about the belt as long as you are still training. However have you ever considered teaching? Would this prohibit a future in teaching.

Yeah it prohibits me from teaching. I need to be about the equivalent of a second dan to teach. Two more belts (around two to six years depending on where I train at and if I can afford training in Indonesia). Then again, I'm pretty bad when it comes to teaching MA. No patience and the legalities and book keeping would kill me.

[UhOhRachsHere]

I don't understand taking Tae Kwon Do (or any martial art for that matter) then quitting. I just don't get it. I had a friend quit a while ago after he got his BBelt. We trained together since the very beginning, and I had got used to his company. It made me a little disappointed.

You'd think with 2+ years of training people would have some sort of attachment to it. I'm probably not as good as some of the people here, (some people sound like they're really good) but I keep trying to improve myself and keep going because I love Tae Kwon Do. It's not a hobby for me anymore, it's something I've lived and breathed for such a long time that I can't imagine my life without it.

As for the college application people, it's so sad. That's what martial arts has sunk down to? People taking it to get into a good college? That's not right. It's actually pretty offending and disrepectful for all of us who have trained hard to get our black belts, or any belt for that matter!

[WC_Lun]

Remember that different people train for different reasons. Just because someone else's reasons don't make sense to you, don't judge them too hard. After all, people like that help pay for the school so you can train for your own reasons

Having said all that, the best part of martial arts is AFTER you reach black belt/sash. All that black piece of cloth means is that you have a pretty good understanding of the basics and now the real work begins..or it should mean that.

[TKD&JKD]

Originally Posted by WC_Lun

Remember that different people train for different reasons. Just because someone else's reasons don't make sense to you, don't judge them too hard. After all, people like that help pay for the school so you can train for your own reasons

Having said all that, the best part of martial arts is AFTER you reach black belt/sash. All that black piece of cloth means is that you have a pretty good understanding of the basics and now the real work begins..or it should mean that.

I agree with you on both points. Not everyone has the love for training. It's difficult and only a few stay with it. I think that those who quit at BB are missing out on so much. This is were the real learning takes place. Since achieving my BB I have taken my training to new levels, and have noticed improvement.

[UhOhRachsHere]

Originally Posted by WC_Lun

Remember that different people train for different reasons. Just because someone else's reasons don't make sense to you, don't judge them too hard. After all, people like that help pay for the school so you can train for your own reasons

Having said all that, the best part of martial arts is AFTER you reach black belt/sash. All that black piece of cloth means is that you have a pretty good understanding of the basics and now the real work begins..or it should mean that.

That's true. But getting a black belt just to get into a certain college or something like that isn't right, in my opinion. Both things, actually. I've had more fun/hard training (staff training, finally!) since I got my black belt last month than I have ever had before my black belt. I kind of feel sorry for those who choose to quit, you know?

What really sucks though, are people who are forced to go to martial art classes. They have no spirit or energy for it. I know someone who HAS to do TKD and absolutely hates it, and she brings everyone down with her. I always end up sparring her, and it kills my buzz. There was a small incident last week with another student cursing her out. It wasn't pretty at all.

[03youngd]

Originally Posted by UhOhRachsHere

That's true. But getting a black belt just to get into a certain college or something like that isn't right, in my opinion. Both things, actually. I've had more fun/hard training (staff training, finally!) since I got my black belt last month than I have ever had before my black belt. I kind of feel sorry for those who choose to quit, you know?

What really sucks though, are people who are forced to go to martial art classes. They have no spirit or energy for it. I know someone who HAS to do TKD and absolutely hates it, and she brings everyone down with her. I always end up sparring her, and it kills my buzz. There was a small incident last week with another student cursing her out. It wasn't pretty at all.

When i take the childrens class at my club we have lots of parents using us like a creche for them to go off n have a drink or something, they just stand around and mess about.

The other week one was running about so i shouted at him and told him to stand in a horse stance until i say to stand. His mother came in and started shouting at me for what i was doing. I then turned to her and said calmly that this is a martial arts club not a day care centre. She keft there n then in disbelief at how i said that to her lmao

[WC_Lun]

Originally Posted by 03youngd

When i take the childrens class at my club we have lots of parents using us like a creche for them to go off n have a drink or something, they just stand around and mess about.

The other week one was running about so i shouted at him and told him to stand in a horse stance until i say to stand. His mother came in and started shouting at me for what i was doing. I then turned to her and said calmly that this is a martial arts club not a day care centre. She keft there n then in disbelief at how i said that to her lmao

I've had to have that discussion with a parent a few times myself. I hate it because I know the kid is gonna catch hell for it later, but when I teach I am not running a dare care for students that don't wanna be there.

[Torre]

Originally Posted by 03youngd

When i take the childrens class at my club we have lots of parents using us like a creche for them to go off n have a drink or something, they just stand around and mess about.

The other week one was running about so i shouted at him and told him to stand in a horse stance until i say to stand. His mother came in and started shouting at me for what i was doing. I then turned to her and said calmly that this is a martial arts club not a day care centre. She keft there n then in disbelief at how i said that to her lmao

This is precisely what's going on in our Monday kids class. Luckily, I'm not the instructor, so I don't go there anymore. There are enough brown belts to help out who are better with kids than I'll ever be

edit: and seeing this now will help me avoid this kind of thing if I'll ever start my own school