What does it mean to achieve black belt? Is it a trophy, a badge, an honor, a statement of worth, a dare, an accomplishment? I suppose it can be any or all of those things. Should I get my black belt, perhaps I will have a good answer to this question. Master Choi says that once you get your black belt, then you can begin to learn. That makes sense to me. It's a lot like anything else: until you can teach a concept you don't really understand it. Analogously, getting your black belt means that you have developed the foundation to achieve true understanding ... if you seek to develop it. Now, you can begin to learn. It sounds as much mental state as it does physical ability.
So, what does it take to get a black belt? Now, I understand that their are schools that have programs guaranteed to get their students to black belt. These have the distinct potential of being a black belt factory. In my school, Master Choi decides. It's as simple as that. He consults with our teacher on our progress and the things on which we need to work. He notes our improvement from test to test. Most people don't pass the first time they test. Beyond that, I know the things my teacher tells us. Those are the things I practice.
Testing
The test is simple in description:
- Perform any of the forms learned through brown belt, as requested
- Attempt to break board(s), both legs, with
- Sliding side-kick
- Tornado round-kick
- Jump back-kick
- Jump wheel-kick
- Free spar with selected opponents, as requested
Responsibilities of a Brown Belt
So, what does the brown belt student need to do to prepare for black belt testing? The responsibilities are also simple:- Engage in structured practice, focused on improving technique, at least twice a week outside of class
- Keep a notebook and review it with your instructor
- Ask questions
- Serve as an example to the lower belts
Now, this blog serves as one piece of my notebook. It isn't the whole of it: (1) it's public, and I'm not going to put everything out there for the whole world to see; and (2) it's incomplete, as I can only work on it so much.
As the student reviews his notebook and practices, he should uncover question after question: Why do we do this? What is the right way to do that? That is, of course, if the student is thinking.
So, exactly how do we practice? It's easy to say practice, but what does that mean? The purpose of this practice is to focus on technique. As students, we don't do the same thing over and over again by rote. Instead, we concentrate our efforts on breaking down our techniques so that our movements are precise. We repeat these movements again and again until the correct motion becomes part of our muscle memory. We attempt the motions faster and faster. This combination of correct technique and speed gives our movements power.
Force goes as the square of distance, only counts in the direction of motion, and is proportional to the acceleration. Therefore, proper technique ensures that the student applies effort in the direction of motion. Increasing speed affects not only the velocity component of power but also the acceleration component of force, since the motion begins at rest.
Black Belt Plan
Each student is different, and his teacher tailors his black belt plan to suit those differences. My black belt plan has concentrated on the following things:- Memorization of my forms
- Relaxation of my shoulders and proper posture
- Increasing flexibility
- Developing power in my forms through proper technique
- Improving endurance, strength, and speed
- Kicks
- Sparring
| S | Specific |
| M | Measureable |
| A | Attainable |
| R | Realistic and Relevant |
| T | Time-bound |
updated 27 April 2013
