Age and the Martial Arts

three60roundhouse · Pre-Black Belt

There have been many disputes over the years as to at what age the black belt should be given to kids, at what age kids start training, at what age they are mature enough to grasp the meaning of the martial arts, etc.

SaiFightsMS · KF VIP

Check out the thread should young kids do the martial arts.

Bon · Black Belt

::edit::
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Ryukyu1 · Orange Belt

I don't like the idea of a young child holding a black belt. I understand some instructors will defend this by saying that the progress the kids in order to keep them motivated. For me this just doesn't wash. There are other ways of motivating kids and helping them to progress then giving them belts like candy. Long term this just devalues the rank and lessens any real sense of achievement.

Phantasmatic · Purple Belt

For us we cannot give a a legal child a black belt. You must be 18 years of age before we give anyone a black belt.

I know many people that are in TKD and are taught by 8-10 year olds. They all quit!

(I mean no disrespect to the art of TKD, I was in it!)

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three60roundhouse · Pre-Black Belt

Here's another thing: the junior black belt. So many studios (including mine) are awarding these to children UNDER age 16 when they've met all the requirements for a first dan, but are not emotionally mature enough for a black belt. The belt is half black and half red, and the junior black belts learn the same forms and stuff as the regular first dans, but they have to re-test for their black belts at age 16. I think this system is good....it shows the child that they HAVE accompolished a lot, but also reminds them that they aren't as mature as the older black belts and that they still have a long way to go.

Phantasmatic · Purple Belt

360, that is probably the best way to go about it because it makes the children think, ya know. I really wish we had those at our dojo, my sensei doesn't get out much. Maybe I should tell him about that!

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three60roundhouse · Pre-Black Belt

I know that telling a six year old who is passionate about the martial arts that it'll take him twelve years to be at black belt while a sixteen year old who starts only needs four or five might turn many a future star off.

Cory Reynolds · Yellow Belt

I like the idea of the junior black belt also. Telling a kid that they won't be able to earn their full black belt until the age of at least 16-18 would sound discoraging. But then you have to follow it up with reasons why, and how the study of the martial arts is about so much more than just earning belts anyways. By the time that they reach the rank of junior black belt, they should have developed the maturity to at least understand and accept the waiting period.

kicker · Black Belt

well which is said before i think kids that are under a certain age lets say 16-18 only get a junier black belt and just keep on training intil 16-18 and then they can get the black belt.

I personaly like that idea and it should be used and you should be able to instructed a class after your 18 or like 21. which you get a belt for or something

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