Underrated comment! I'm training Iaijutsu since 8 years and preparing for my 1. degree blackbelt with this attitude in mind. And for me teaching students for years is helping too!
Training maxim-- "Amateurs practice until they get it right; professionals practice until they can't do it wrong." So true, yet signifies what kind of dedication to training will be expected of a student.
Totally get all of this! I’m working towards my 4th degree black belt in traditional taekwondo and I can attest to the anxiety right up there until the final exam. I know I’ve done it three times and I’m confident I can succeed again. I will have to dig in deep and focus on what I know. Nothing hard earned is never easy!
It took me 30 years to get my black belt in Kyokushin. I did have a ten year break though. I went back with my son and we got our black belts together. It was a long day and very stressful. I lost count of the times I thought I had nothing left. I got there in the end and what an amazing feeling.
Chloe If you like to read, there is a book called Karate as a Guide to Gentleness, by C.W. Nichol, that I highly recommend.Good luck and GOD’S GRACE on the test!
@@nataliesolondz4304 at my dojo for junior black belt it is a 7 hour test and then for shodan(1st degree black belt)The test is about 20 hours almost 24 hours of basically everything you have learned until that moment.My style of karate is isshinryu karate.
@@milos.8705 wow I can't imagine. My test was only a little over 3 hours for 1st Dan black belt and about 5 hours for second Dan. Those felt very long, did all our forms, walking drills with techniques and combinations of them. Timing drills and 100 self defences. Which half have to be take downs, sweeps. Some multiple attackers and line self defences. Sign of the cross board breaking 2 have to be with spinning techniques or jumping. Also demonstrate some teaching with how we would teach a beginner,intermediate or advanced belt. Korean terminology was part of it too.
I got my first BB at 23. When I was promoted to black belt, I showed up for class one day, and my teacher just said that today you will test for black belt. After demonstrating my skills and knowledge of all the techniques I had learned, I was told to go for a run outside and when I was ready, to come back and talk to the class about what the martial arts meant to me. This was in the dead of the frigid Midwestern winter, and the streets were covered with snow and ice. I ran barefoot and didn’t feel a thing! Returning to the dojo, I gave my presentation. At that point, in a moment I will never forget, my instructor took off the belt he was wearing and tied it around my waist! I’ve received four more promotions since then, but I wore that same well-worn belt to train today.
Thank you, Dan. I was raised in Chicago so I didn't know any better, plus, it wasn't my idea, lol I'd like to add that I finished my talk to the class by saying, "The martial arts is not what you can do to someone, but rather what you can do for someone." The longer I stay in this journey, the more I understand how true that is.
Max Rowe - You are welcome to follow any path that suits you, but imo, you are not doing martial arts, you are doing combat sports. As I just said, there is nothing wrong with that. And trust me, this teacher earned the respect everyone gave him. He was a man of few words, but plenty of action.
My karate black belt test was awesome... it took me like 3 hours but it was worth. It took me 5 years of training it. As the video says, physical training is key
@@simplychloe3839 seams like overkill to me. I don't see how any test could take that long. I dont even think my instructors 5th Dan test was that long. It was long like 12 hours over 3 days. But still.
His test was that long because alot of his test was watching his test and critiquing himself and explaining the techniques and what they are doing ect. Watching self defences on video and explaing what he could have done better or what else would have worked. Ect.
Late to the party on this one. Perfect list. The only thing I would add? The night before your test, do something relaxing. I stayed at home and chilled with my dogs and my wife.
Jay Deandre if you can buy it it has no real value. That is like buying barbells and then wondering why you’re not getting stronger by simply looking at them from the couch! I hope you were joking, and will forgive me from stepping up onto the bitch box!
My adult Black Belt test concluded an 8 year full time curriculum. It was 16 hours total across 5 days. 2 hrs. on Mon night, 2 hrs. on Tues night, 2hrs. on Wed night, 2 hrs. on Thurs night, Off Fri night and 8 hours on Sat. from 8 AM to about 4 PM or upon conclusion, with brief 5 min breaks peppering across the day, typically between sections of subjects, and 1/2 hour lunch break (although it was advised to re-hydrate and rest only). Observing judges participating in eating, while you alone did not, was meant to challenge further self discipline. Testing was performed in front of a seated panel of all previous Black Belts in this Art available to judge and grade. I had 7 judges, with the Grandmaster at the center, and with unanimous agreement of test passage prior to presenting the Rank. Testing consisted of Karate, Judo, Jujitsu, Kobudo, Arnis, and Self Defense against a full power attacker. This was the hardest test I ever took in my life. To receive this Rank in my school, made me feel like I was experiencing being re-born into the Martial Arts. We have no such thing as a Jr. Black Belt Division. Our program is so lengthy, that even a child will be nearly an adult when ready to test for our Black Belt. I honor and thank my school, by continuing to teach, and train for my next ranks. Currently, I am 2nd Dan. No family, nor any outsiders, were permitted to witness this testing. Pre-selected live Uke, were permitted to observe, as they would be participating in the self defense portion, and would be invited in at the appropriate time only. Photo and Video were taken at the conclusion during the awarding only.
Now, what exactly was the martial art you are referring to? "Testing consisted of Karate, Judo, Jujitsu, Kobudo, Arnis, and Self Defense against a full power attacker" does not sound like it, well, actually happened.
Damn i trained for 15 years in the army, 7 years of witch i was an instructor. cross trained with other branches and countries did countless military tournaments, trained thousands of soldiers, have hundreds of thousands of hours on the mat. Guess what belt i am? None. No rank what so ever. Never mind that i can actually fight, never mind my traini g and teaching, never mind my actual combat experience..no rank and people really tell me i waisted my time because i dont have a black belt...
@@vikingbluesbreaker729 don’t let them. Belts sorta matter. A guy at my dojo has the same story. His daughter is closer to her black than he is. He reenrolled yeeeeaaars later and is now being graded and moving up.
@@larissabuceto5726 If u can mention to me the tasks required for black bekt and give me 30 days... I will upload my video within 30 days... Weather its breaking.... Fitness.. Stretching or any other thing including kataas... 😊😊😊
My last Black Belt test was broken in 2 parts. The first was a Black Belt Pre Test that lasted 5 1/2 hours and then the regular test that lasted 3 1/2 hours. Both were great experiences. Many hate on the Kenpo in my art but I wouldn’t where I’m at today without it. Now I’m getting ready to test for my 2nd degree and getting prepared for it has been nothing but great. Anyways great job Mr. Dan. You really know how to create great Martial Arts videos. =] Keep up the good work.
Yes, unfortunately Kenpo often gets a lot of hate, but just like any art it comes down to the school. When you find a good Kenpo school, it's an excellent art, but when you find a bad school it's HORRENDOUS. I have seen both. Thank you for the kind words :)
@@ArtofOneDojo Jackie Chan was black belt in another form of martial arts and also studied karate, do you think he would have been a legitimate black belt and that this would mean he was pretty steeped in his knowledge of karate also?
I was in a unique situation that led to my test being a live-in student for a summer that culminated in me teaching the application of a particular high level kata at a weekend seminar. The night I was leaving to go back to living at my own house while I was packing my stuff, my Sensei walked up to me said some things I won’t repeat here and presented me with black belt. No formalities or any of the normal testing stuff. Just some questions, words of wisdom, a bow and then my belt. I will never forget it. It’s not the piece of cloth. It’s the color. It was being told that I was ready to really begin.
I studied Muay Thai. Alot of my friends studied different styles. Some made it to Brown belt in their style while a few made it to black. Your videos and advice are great! Keep up the great work!
Mine was a VERY long time ago but I remember it like it was yesterday - TOUGH!!! Having said that, I loved every minute of it :) However, over the years I switched to different system. I assess my students on their performance over a testing period (of months), rather than using the exam method. The reason for this is that there would often be students who perform well, and consistently, in every lesson and yet for whatever reason didn't do so well during a test. Conversely, other students had been VERY average during the previous months and yet shone on the day. So, I prefer to grade them on consistent good form. In effect, every lesson is a "grading". When I am satisfied that all requirements have been met, they are presented with the grade, which is to honour their hard work. I've found that this encourages the students to train hard, always, and not just for a belt. In fact, the belt is just a nice bonus :)
It took me 4 tries to earn my black belt in shotokan. After my third try, I was pissed when my sensei said that I failed, so I asked him how did I fail 3 times. That's when he told me that I was to cocky and he didn't think that I was taking my training seriously. After that, I skipped the next two tests, and began mentoring a few younger students and after a 18 months, I went back to try. again. Because I had spent time training other students, it humbled me enough to finally earn my black belt. It was the second greatest achievement I ever had. The greatest was watching one of the young students I mentored earn his black belt before me.
I have to give you credit for making that realization and adjusting. Too many people won't take that kind of criticism and never change. You should definitely be proud of what you accomplished.
I got mine in Kenpo. It took 4 yrs, lots of hard work and dedication but it was on my bucket list. Loved the test and getting it was the best feeling of my life!!!!!!!
As a man with 2 junior black belts and an adult black belt with Kempo as one style, I can attest that all this information is true! Consisted of about 300 pushups, 400 squats, 2+ miles running, teamwork exercises, demonstrations of basics, etc, with, of course, demonstration of material all in the course of 6 hours.
My shodan black test in Karate took place over several days probably over ten hours total about four hours on the final test day. Three mile run in under 30 minutes, 100 push ups, sit ups, leg raises, kicks and hand techniques. Forms empty hand and weapons, basics, bunkai, Q&A and finally over two hours of sparring. About five years total training.
It took me...decades...so far. I have always been of the mindset that I must earn the quality of my ranks every time I train, and/or teach. Complacency is a killer in the martial way, so I just try to train the best I can for the rest of my life.
My black belt test was 6 weeks long. 5 two hour tests then the last test was 7.5 hours. I wish they still did that, i want all my tests to be that rewarding
My sensei taught me in kenpo karate and shotokan. Most of the Kata were taken directly from shotokan, and the combinations from kenpo. My shodan test wasn’t as long as some people describe theirs to be. There was about an hour of cardio: push-ups, squat thrusts, sit-ups, jumping- jacks, etc. Then we did our kenpo self defense combinations, followed by throws and one steps, and we ended with sparring. Sparring was the longest portion. Between 2 hours of sparring, I sparred 6 different people. It was physically demanding and exhausting, but I felt a great sense of relief & accomplishment afterwards. This was much as you described. Your sensei knows your knowledge, respect, and capability, otherwise you wouldn’t be testing. I’m 34 now, I teach, and not once have I ever trained to break or broken a board.
Thank you for this video. It is great to hear martial artists speak with respect about earning their Black Belt. I suspect those who talk as if Black belts are a dime a dozen are the ones who would do anything imaginable to get one other than spend the years of sweat and repetition acquired to earn it .
I just got my black belt yesterday. Have to say it was one of the most challenging things I have ever done in my life. Pulled my leg through the warm up and still pushed on, ignorance gets you through anything
I never took a test. After proudly surprising him with my own kata that I had developed in secret, my teacher, with great satisfaction, told me I had learned everything he could teach me, as well as I could learn it. He said I could call myself a black belt, if I wanted and gave his blessing to pass on what he taught me. I was trained with a neighborhood friend, by my nextdoor neighbor, outside the curriculum of his school.
@@ArtofOneDojo He had a school with his brother teaching Shotokan and Goju, and taught Shorin Ryu two weekends a month, at a friend's school in the city. I learned mostly Shorin Ryu, with some other stuff strung through it. I guess you could call it a family style, a couple generations old, that they didn't teach professionally. The katas were mostly modified and a couple unique family ones. He saw my friend and me trying to do karate in my backyard, out of a book and stack of martial arts magazines when we were like 12 and started with just some tips to keep us from hurting each other; and he would spar with us a little. I guess he decided we were serious and started teaching us on a regular basis. I did it for about five or six years; my friend pretty much quit after about three years, when he got a girlfriend and found other priorities(jerk 😒). I kept up with it some after I moved and helped out at his school a few times. He closed down in the mid 90s and opened a landscaping business. Ive done a few classes here and there, in some different things and studied judo off and on, for about 25 years. Been boxing a couple times a month for about 30 years. Now, I work out of a PMC in the Houston area, as a CRSO and firearms instructor and I assist with our combatives program that I had some input in designing; its based on boxing, with some high percentage judo and built loosely on a generic 'karate' framework for communication between the boxing and judo; plus Ive Incorporated some combos and really slick distance closers, that I learned from Shorin Ryu.
my school system has a testing period for two hours every saturday eight weeks leading up to graduation. we are tested on curriculum, sparring, and our endurance, but i wish there was more of an emphasis on fitness and physical readiness, as students who fall behind in the physical component are still allowed to graduate. i hope one day to become a leader among my system of schools so i can introduce this, or to atleast tighten standards, because during my time in advanced belt testing, i watched students who were definitely ill-prepared receive their black belts. new students look to the black belts of the class to be inspired of what they can become, and although many are truly amazing in their skill, too many still lack in their basics.
Thanks for that video. I'm due my 4th Dan grading in November and I'm very nervous about it. I agree with what you said about adapting if need be, especially when it comes to the self defence. We are always told that the one step self defence techniques are not set in stone so not to worry if you step with the right instead of the left etc. just adapt to the situation. I have been with the same instructor since 2002 when the club started in my home town.
Exactly, it's much more important to be able to act and respond in the moment then trying to make sure it's performed the way it was memorized. Good luck on your test, I'd love to hear how it goes! What art are you training in?
Art of One Dojo I am currently training in Tang Soo Do and have have been since 2002. I was among the first group to grade to black belt in my club. I will let you know how it goes
@@johnobrien401 good job just got my 1st degree in tae kwon do from a real school and not them fake school giving out black belts like candy and I wish you the best of luck going for your 5th degree
12 years of constant training to get my kyokushin blackbelt. The blackbelt grading went on for two days. Two full days of Kata and Kihon, from white to blackbelt. Finished by a strength test & a 30-man kumite. 30 2-minute rounds against mostly blackbelts trying to make me quit. Getting my blackbelt was the best day of my life, and my greatest achievement.
I LOVE stories like this. You went through the gauntlet and came through. That says a lot about your character and you have my respect for completing that. I wish you only continued success in your future training.
Excellent, very well said. When I used to study Hapkido, the first stage of every test was the interview. You'd get up in front of a table of a handful of masters in suits with something like 20 other black belts sitting on the wall and watching. Before asking you to speak for two minutes on one of several topics you were asked to prepare for, they would always begin by asking, "Please tell us your name, your age, and how long you've been studying," but then they would always ask, "Are you ready for this test?" It's amazing how well you can gauge the candidate by how they answer that last question. I've heard stories of, usually younger folks, who were not prepared to answer that question confidently failing tests. Not much more I can really add that you haven't already covered.
Tom Lyman my answer was always “never” however I could always do the test. And I am never truly prepared that’s just a fact. Now I’m training in a more modern style and the tests are a lot easier.
That's an interesting point about the interview. Many Kenpo schools make us write a written thesis for first dan black belt. We can pick the topic but we have to argue or illustrate our points.
@@ArtofOneDojo Yeah, in Shorinji Kempo which I've been doing since then there are no interviews, but multiple essays in addition to a written test. Study like nine topics, they give you four. Pencil, paper, one hour, write. Usually on the floor. After that, then they start the test.
Everything you just described. The rain is of emotions the physical and mental stress. Loved it, made it to Sandan in Shorin-Ryu.... 50 years old I hope I test for a few more.
When I was getting my black belt, we had to attend additional classes (black belt preparation) on top of the regularly scheduled classes for six months before the black belt test itself. They were twice as long as the normal classes. They were to insure that we were in good enough shape to get through the test and to make sure we were prepared for each part. We also had to learn few new things such as sparring with two opponents and breaking cinder blocks. The two-opponent sparring was for first degree black belt. Second degree involved four-opponent sparring. Come to think of it, if the number of opponents double with each degree, by 10th degree, you'd have 1024 sparring partners. It would be like fighting the Agent Smiths in The Matrix Reloaded :)
I tested for my black belt in 2014. I had traveled to my style's international training camp, that year in Raleigh NC, for the test. The minute the plane left the ground, I was a ball of nerves. I had already submitted a written paper, discussing what I'd come to learn so far in the martial arts (besides punching, kicking, throwing, etc.) and had gotten a lot of positive feedback from several masters in my style. That did nothing to calm me down though. By the actual test I was nothing but nerves. We opened up with some light calisthenics for a warmup. It wasn't much, just a few punches, some push ups, a couple of drills, and I was already gassed by the end of it. We then went into board breaking. I was testing in a pretty big group, so I had enough time to recover from the warmup before I went up. My boards broke with almost no trouble. From there we went into kata. Starting with weapon forms, I completely botched the opening of one of my bo forms. We also worked with short stick forms and then went to the empty hand forms. All the while we were going up in groups of 4 or 5, so that the proctors (all 5th degrees, with one 6th degree master overseeing) could get a good look at us. To my somewhat relief, one of the kata I was expecting to test on didn't come up. It was replaced with a lower form that I still see as my favorite from the colored belt curriculum. From there we went into basics. Well over an hour of stepping and turning drills with every strike, block, or other technique represented at least once. I was so exhausted the master overseeing had to tell me to get my power back up a couple times. Interspersed through all of this were the stamina requirements, consisting of normal pushups, knuckle pushups, fingertip pushups, and one arms. I normally don't do any of the advanced pushups, but I was hopped up on so much adrenaline that I did them and barely noticed. The final primary stage of the test was the self defense demo. I had practiced the 5 minute sequence with my partners for months. A lot of things went right. A lot of things went clean. Then my girlfriend, now my wife, jumped in out of sequence! My plan went out the window. I still blocked her, still took her down, but I didn't do it in any way that I had intended. Somehow, even after everything, after feeling like I'd done horribly, after feeling like I hadn't performed anywhere near my personal standard, and after want for half the test to just give up, I still passed. It was 4 hours of hell. But in retrospect, I love every minute of it.
I love this comment, because it is such a raw and real experience. You faced the nerves and you still did what you had to do. You were nervous, but you still did your part, and that is a very big part of the test. I know you felt like you did wrong with the impromptu part of the test and your wife, but as an instructor I do look for that. It's really important to be able to act on the fly, and I don't know what style you train in, but if you can adapt in the moment and take charge of the situation and defend yourself...that holds a LOT of weight with me. Good job on your test, I know we feel there are things we could have done differently but you did it. You passed, and you worked hard for it. Great job!
Thanks. It took me a while, about a year to get over the feeling that I actually shouldn't have passed. These days I see what I did wrong and I use it to better prepare upcoming candidates at my school. My style is called Cuong Nhu. It starts out as a variant of Shotokan, but students get exposed to techniques and principles from Boxing, Judo, Aikido, Tai Chi, Vietnamese Arts, and Wing Chun. We also train with various weapons. It's a fun style with a great community. I don't know if there is a school in your area, but I hope you get the opportunity to meet some individuals in the style, as many of them are exemplary human beings.
My black belt test for kenpo is this Saturday. Crazy to think that I started this almost 5 years ago and its finally here. I am a bit nervous, and i don't "feel" ready. My instructor says thats a good thing though. It means that i know theres improvement to be made. But ive been working my butt off. One thing is for sure. I will give it everything i got. I also wanna say thank you for your videos. I started watching them at the beginning of my journey and they have helped tremendously.
Stressing out of my mind. I have my black belt test comming this April. I don't feel ready and have a lot to work on 21 katas, 64 one steps and a boat load of self defence / ju-jitsu. It only adds to the pressure that I'll be the first one at this school testing at this level in 17 years. Your videos do help remind me to relax and train, train, train. Wish me luck.
Well you still have time, just focus on the material and try not to focus too much on the deadline. Part of being a black belt IS putting your mind in a focused and peaceful state. Just relax, study your material, make sure to eat well and get good rest to keep your energy in place and just keep in mind that if for some reason you don't pass this one, it's not the end of the world and you get another chance, and you'll know what needed additional work. But as an instructor, I know that part of the test is being asked to test in the first place. Your instructor would not even be letting you test if they didn't feel like you were ready for it. An instructor can also tell if a student is really trying or thinks they are breezing through it. Keep calm, focus on the material, and you should be fine my friend! I would love to hear back to hear about your experience!
I just earned my black belt yesterday. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. 3 1/2 year and I double promoted once. The test was rigorous and the katas were super nerve racking. But what an amazing feeling it is knowing all my hard work paid off. Great video!
Master Dan, I just want to thank you for all your advice and tips in your black belt videos as well as the advise you gave me on a comment I left you awhile back. Today I am testing for my black belt after 13 years.
Shodan in jujutsu, 6 years culminating into 4 hours. Before the test we bowed in, them warmed up/stretched. Then we did all break falls, hard techniques (punching, blocking, etc), hold escapes plus 2 variations, then sparring against two people.
in the club that i am training in, we do have 2 black belt tests every year but the tests last a whole day (from 6 am to 9 pm with a break in between) i have my karate 2nd dan test coming up in October too and the holidays give me lots of time to train so wish me luck
I took Karate classes when I was in college the first time. about 2 years. learned a few things and earned yellow. 38 years later, I don't care about rank, I care about learning. I will always wear a white belt. My "rank" will be evident if we spar, or you watch me train, or the sharpness of my form as I perform a sword cut. Very interesting videos. Just watched the one about McDojos. Good information. Thank you.
my last 2 black belt tests. i only found out i was going a couple days beforehand. i am pretty sure i was told that i was going so that my instructor can make sure that i am most definitely ready to attempt and not have to worry if im good enough or not. not enough time for me to worry when its that weekend 😅. passed it both times and felt so much better knowing only a couple of days before than knowing for like a month where i most definitely should not have gotten my black belt. still grateful on getting it though
My bb test was 3 days. One 8 hour test on the push ups, sit ups, etc. Then breaking boards and bricks, sparring. Half the day wearing your gi, the other half with street clothes. One 8 hour day of testing in the woods of basically the same thing on the first day but with running. Half day with gi, half day with street clothes. Third day was 4 hours of weapons testing. With gi and without. My sensei believed in having training with gi and street clothes, in the dojo and outside the dojo. Including training in the woods. He added survival skills as well. He believed our training should include all aspects and environments of life even in various weather conditions. He only taught 10 students at a time. It took me 20 yrs for my bb with various training methods. I'm now 50 holding a 5th bb.
My black belt test took place over multiple days with one day an hour and half of sparring. On the day of the test a three mile run in under 30 minutes, 100 push ups, sit ups, leg raises. 100 kicks with each leg, 100 punches with each hand. Kata empty hand and weapons, Bunkai (self defense application), Q&A, written essay and about an hour of sparring including every black belt that shows up for the test.
My BB exam is in less than a month. I basically have 7 days to train/prepare/ condition myself due to my work schedule. I started in Shotokan style when I was 10 and left when I was 16 or 17 with a green belt. I came back in 2015 and acquired a belt every six months until my exam last summer when I broke a toe on my Sensei the day before the exam. I pretty much took this last year off for school, so the last 3 training sessions with my dad were pretty tough, lol. But I can do this!
Art of One Dojo took the exam today and passed! From missing almost a full “season” of training and having only 8 1- 1/12 hour days of training before attending a two day long seminar before the exam, I am in a LOT of pain right now but it totally paid off!
I took my blackbelt test or as the terminology in Wing Chun(Tsun) system 1st Technician back in July 2023. IT WAS INTENSE. We start with basic forms, basic footwork, chain punching and self defense. Then it is sparring. 1 on 1 sparring we go until the instructor says stop or we subdue the other person. This can go for many rounds. Then it is multiple opponents. This is the same as the 1 on 1. Lastly, the instructor will give us notes on little tiny things that needs to be improved on the forms or the fighting. At the end you at left gas out. I was grateful. I passed and I had a lot going on because my Mom just passed away a few days ago
Very nice description of a black belt test. My black belt test was very similar. It took me 11 years to earn my first dan black belt. It would have been sooner had I not dislocated my patella or broken my third toe doing a kick. However it was worth the journey. Every test pass the brown belt was brutal. My sensei and dojo doesn't give away belts and I earned every single belt. I had to do an interview a week before the black belt test. My black belt test was taken on 2-4-20. I prepared for 2 months, doing katas and self defense every day. At night I would jump rope and do the elliptical machine 3 times a day. There was no bread, sugars or anything harmful to my body during the preparation period. No eating pass 6pm either. I stopped contact with everyone except close friends and family. I did each kata 200 times beforehand. I did each self defense 200 times on the right and left side. For the exam I had to do 13 katas. I dropped 16 lbs and was lean and ready to go during test day. The test itself was 3 hours and was 5 times worst than what I thought it would be. After the first 15 minutes of starting the exam I was gassed. Then the mental factor kicked in. Once I crossed that hurdle everything else was a blur. After the test, he then gives me a sheet asking how I felt I did in the technical area, stamina and basics. Then two weeks after that paper was turned in I had to turn in a paper using one word to describe my martial arts journey. That experience was worth it to me and I will do it all over again when working toward a 2nd dan black belt which will take another 4-5 years.
Mistakes are good. It's good for us to see how they adapt and overcome the mistake. I always tell my students nervous is good. That means you care. I get more worried about folks who aren't nervous. Like they don't understand the gravity of it.
From brown belt I did 4 formal classes a week, trained at home after class, did basics at home every day before work, on the weekends done beach runs on soft sand etc. And the Black Belt test nearly killed me with the sparring but after I finished the sparring, I had one tile to do, and I finished it. I stood there dripping with sweat, every muscle aching, and I knew I gave everything that night. And if I had failed, it wasn't from lack of will power, lack of stamina etc. I had passed, I was elated. And I was told that I had set a standard that others had to reach.
It took me 3 1/2 years of hard training just to get my Brown-belt in Kyokushin! It will probably be about that long to get the Black-belt under my Shihan. He is ol'skool traditional and doesn't believe in any short-cuts!
I took my black belt test while I was in Iraq with the US Army it was a lot of fun but omg I wasn’t as ready as I thought I was. It took three days due to missions. And our teacher was a 9th dan in WTKD. He told us we train to fight we train to win. You will learn the same way I did. Which was fun. I have been in karate (shorin ryu) for years also. I just start my path in Gracie BJJ. Martial arts is a life long journey that should never be taken lightly
Part of my Black Belt Training included all you said, plus written assignments a year leading up to and most of all, Teaching! I had to teach classes both juniors and seniors. This was actually one of the best ways to learn and improve my Karate'. And never stop learning. This is why the Black Belt eventually fades to white again. As a symbol of starting over. Unfortunately I don't practise anymore, however I still do love teaching people some basic moves in self defence or remind people of the philosophy. One day, I may take it back up and begin my journey again.
My test is coming up in 4 months. Its a 16 hour test in one day. Sensei told me that before anything else, prioritize my endurance, and atleast be able to run 8-9 miles to be safe. Im very very nervous, because college is doing the exact opposite for me. Im doing my best to run every other day, but I for sure will put a lot of effort in when my semester ends. To everybody who is preparing as well, we will break through, lets do our best and show our best!
Thank you for all of your informative videos! I am just getting back into it, I used to be a yellow belt in E.P. American Kenpo. I plan to continue my training till the end this time. I don't know why I ever stopped tbh
I have a black belt in a mixed martial art of Krav Maga and American Kempo. I had 4 tests totaling over 30 hours. I had to memorize 18 forms/katas, 25 self defense techniques in the air, on the body partial contact, and then on the body full contact. I had to run a total of 2 1/2 miles, 225 pushups, and plank 6 minutes. I also had to spar 4 different instructors full contact. The test was extremely difficult. I also had to do a total of 18 hours of pad striking.
It took me 7 years to get to shodan. But I did have a 1.5 year break. Mine was back in 1992 and when it was sparring time I got the bash. Couldn't lift my arms above my head for 3 days. Wept continually for a week. It was the hardest thing I've ever done, and the most amazing experience toward a new beginning.
Ours is done over a 16 hour period students who are testing show up at 4pm then the doors are locked they finish at 8 am the next morning. There's a physical fitness portion, sparring, weapons proficiency, kata, and an improvised kata or free kata designed by the student. The instructors know how nerve racking it is so there is also games added to relax the students for example... they throw a bunch of kick pads out on the floor, blindfold a student and they have to navigate the floor just from their teams vocal instructions. It's normally finished with a board break.
back in the 90s i was in kempo karate as a kid and did the black belt test and i got one work for the test hell but in the end i passed thanks to the great instructor Frankenberg the best teacher ever i was disabled and he got me and was able to help me in ways no one can understand he still teaches in Colorado i would highly recommend him if you are in Colorado springs or the area around that
Our Black Belt test for 1st Dan is a 2 week long process. The first week, this is an overall observational period. It is non-intrusive for the most part where the student is being observed, their peer interactions, self discipline, attitude, training ethic and the like are all taken into account. An instructor may also randomly go to the student and ask to see any one of the previously learned techniques on the spot. The second week is MORE interactive. Through the week the students technical development is more of concern. A student may have not just a technique be required to be demonstrated at any time, but with a resisting and more aggressive opponent. Their cardio will be tested and in the last days (depending on how many are testing) they will be required to do a complete skills test, sparring and will be required to show 3 techniques of their choosing utilized in a self defense scenario they develop. Failing is a distinct possibility, but students are typically not selected for testing unless we feel they are truly ready. In the event that a student does fail they are permitted 2 free retests. Anything after that and they will be required to wait till the next testing cycle to test again, but at only a portion of the cost. They WILL NOT be permitted to test this at the next testing cycle without personal tutoring, which typically is not charged for. just more like more one on one attention from instructors. It is important that students EARN their belts from us. We do not guarantee any belts and if that discourages a potential student, then I am happy to refer them elsewhere.... I do what I do because I love it, not because I need to.
Just keep this in mind...you wouldn't have been asked to test if your instructor didn't think you were ready. Chances are, he's already decided. Just do the best you can and let us know how it goes! Good Luck!
Hewwo my black belt test for me is tomorrow and what a coincidence that we are in the same martial arts. I am from the tony martinz kenpo karate dojo. Im excited but also scared. Have a Good day!!!!
I think of of the most demanding black belt testing procedures I have heard of was from a Korean style called Hwa Rang Do. My understanding is that when you test for your black belt, you have to basically retest every belt level up to it an then test the black belt material, all in the same day, what would amount to an 8 or 10 hour test. I only made it to yellow belt before the school closed but the descriptions of the black belt testing process from the instructor were just brutal.
My BB test was very hard, but worth it in the end. Started off with some kicking warmups, then once we started we immediately did 100 punches(which made me tired fast), then we did kicking up and down the length of our dojang, forms, hapkido, 3v1 defensive sparring, belt takedowns(for fun I think, or to see how well we were able to balance), and at the end, some instructors came out to try and push our arms down while we held them straight out horizontally for 90 seconds, it was pretty painful but surely worth it, it hurt so bad because I was extremely exhausted from all the pushups we did throughout the test, I likely did close to 200 - 250 once the test was over, maybe more if I can remember, and the pushups were in decent increments(25, even 50). After all that we did our board breaks, and that was the end. I practiced for about 8 years, but it was surely fun and worth it, especially after obtaining so much self defense knowledge, and I'm still learning more! I think the BB tests my dojang hold condense the test instead of breaking it up making it more challenging(physical challenges combined with mental ones without breaks), mine lasted around 2 hours. (This was taekwondo)
I remember my first black belt test was a long day indeed. We had to do exercises in the dojo, then we did every kata up to black Belt. Then we sparred many rounds about three to four. Then we will find out if we passed or not. I must of done well because I received mine. And you are right you are dead tired and excited at the same time. I think I drank an ocean that day. But I felt good! Then I moved and tried another style and again in time and a lot of blood, sweat, and tears got a second one in a different style. Took me 15 years and lots of competitions, but then life happened and now after 20+ years I am going back and yet again a new style. The Sensi said if I had trained after we started class and I said yes. Stances are a bit different from what I remember, but it is something new to try. As I was watching your video I started to remember my own tests and how tired and in pain I was but at the same time a feeling of accomplishment at the end of hours of testing. Excellent video!
I will not elaborate on the subject of the style I've been training, but it is a well-known school and a large organization in Poland. I started fourteen years ago but for many reasons I had to stop the trainings. Today I do not even live in the city where I was training. From the beginning I had no luck to trainers. But in the end I came across someone with whom I could train all these years, but life is life and I write different scenarios. Last year I decided to return to active Karate. I found a coach who would like to accept such a 33-year-old fellow like me to his school. After a while, things started to be complicated. After all, this instructor kept saying that he did not want to train me because he was afraid that I would like to steal personal information from him or something like that. Again a strange man. I attended over 75 kilometers for these classes. Now there is no one around who would like to train me. With the rest I do not know if after all these vicissitudes I still want to. Ps. I do not have a black belt and everything indicates that I will not have anymore ...
I've seen people testing for Black Belt becoming nervous. When my time comes, I'll probably be nervous as well, but one thing that helps me is I am comfortable with failure. I will obviously do my best to pass, but if I fail, I'll work hard and try again. The true mark of character is not how you handle success, but how you handle setback and failure. In the dojo I trained at, even Yellow Belt had to be earned. I actually failed my Yellow Belt test the first time. It gets progressively harder. That is what makes it worth it.
My 14 year old son and I have our adult black belt test in three weeks. Our dojo put together a special class it called black belt boot camp and is 2hrs. on a Friday night twice a month to help us train so we will be ready.
in the 1980's i took karate i worked up to a yellow belt working to train for the blue belt then left unable to do a lot cause of injury's i still read and research the art's and understand a great deal more i put together my own library of books to read and research it has helped me a great deal i have gone through some of the tests lower level unfortunately injury's took over i took the test and able to pass the first time a group test
it’s worth it! I love the regular martial arts and the mixed martial arts both; I’m training in both areas. I think people should train for their safety the way the world is now a days!
It took me 6 and half years to get my black belt the test was 4hours and half we did 15 min running 50 squats 100 push ups 100 sit ups -5 Lap pad kicking 6 or 7 holders Basics kick from back kicks turning kick Spinning kicks with combos ect -Then heavy shield bag work power kicks all power Then the sparring boots and gloves 18 rounds 3 min Then Olympic sparring gear 22 rounds of sparring 3 or 4 min rounds And before sparring out kata or patterns -then our one step sparring 36 moves And that was our Tae kwondo wtf test
The system I taught was a combination of the best working parts of several arts to work in the streets, I worked with combat and self defense, the difference being that combat leans more to killing and self defense is minimal use of force to be able to get away. Both of these have training and skill levels that require a lot of time and work but doesn’t get you trophies or ribbons at a tournament.
My first black belt test was many hours long and I was before a panel of 11 judges or senior high ranking black belts in the arts. The sparring was full contact and everything was done with full power and precision. My sparring match got so heated three judges had to break us up. But we earned our ranks on that day
Thanks for uploading this video. I've been considering taking up a martial art for health reasons, but I been hearing about these so called Mc Dojos and it makes me think twice about it wondering if I'm gonna be getting my monies worth and will this all be for nothing, etc. If you could (or if you haven't yet) you should make a video about how to spot a bad dojo/martial arts instructor and other red flags to spot so others who are looking to get into this stuff can be better prepared to spot warning signs
Yes this is helpful :) Also prior to this, I did some research and I also came across this too and it further also helped be more alert and making sure to spot any red flags www.quora.com/What-are-signs-that-a-martial-arts-studio-is-a-good-one
My last belt test was just over 12 hours long, spread out over 4 sessions. 3 hours of basics in one session. 3 hours of self-defense techniques. 3 hours of forms. Then a 3 hour exam which included everything before and spontaneous defense, you stay put while every person in line tries to punch, kick, lock/hold or tackle you in whichever way they like and you don't know which until they go. Everybody got cracked. Everybody was beat up and exhausted. Kind of like walking the gauntlet. Then a welcome kick in the belly to signal that I passed. A pair of dudes behind me to catch me but I leaned into it and caught all of the kick because I thought it was shameful to be caught/helped in that way. I loved every minute. Except getting my eardrum laced with a flat palm to the ear. That was painful. Rung my bell pretty good too.
@@ArtofOneDojo I felt great on the physical stuff. The written portion had me worried. Thankfully, I knew most of the terms. Don't ask me about the essay lol.
In my system we did kata, one step sparring, and five rounds of free sparring for shodan rank. The kata consisted of any three of the five Heian kata at the instructor's choosing, plus whichever advanced kata a particular student had chosen. We were all taught Bassai Dai, Kwanku and Enpi at brown belt but each student had to specialize in one and that was the one you had to test with. The free sparring was five two minute rounds, back to back, against each of the assistant instructors. I failed my first test. A year later I tested again and got it.
But you know what I like here...is that you went back and tested again. SO MANY people would have quit after not passing the first time but you didn't, and that's a huge character strength right there :)
Thank you. It was definitely a learning experience. I'll never forget this. My instructor took me to the side the night I was promoted to Shodan. He told me I was technically good enough to advance when I tested previously, but he failed me before because he thought I just didn't believe in myself enough. I learned so much from that. That's always stuck with me after thirty plus years.
Pretty much all of my exams were in the daily classroom. We were graded every class and were given permission to promote whenever we were ready. This was solely based on the individual and there often was no set 'test'. It was when the individual was ready based on their merit. If they were never ready, then they were never promoted, regardless of what belt they were testing for. Our classes involved a lot of technique and some reasonable cardio and movement exercises. However, the knowledge of the material was most important. I test my students very similarly today. You will earn your belt or you will never get it, regardless of what rank it is. I added an additional element into it though, and that was building leaders, especially if they are going to be a black belt. I demand someone that has good leadership qualities and can that can teach. The whole idea of a black belt is that you have achieved something, but more importantly, it is the ability to proliferate. A black belt is an entry into the teaching realm where you can take on students and proliferate the art that you dedicated yourself to. You can teach others, and through teaching others, you will hopefully make strong, moral, and knowledgeable leaders. I also incorporate physical abilities as far as cardio and other exercises, mostly through calisthenics, with a minor emphasis on running. It doesn't matter what you know or how proficient you are if you don't have the gas in the tank to complete the mission. It is also a good way to push someone to what they think their breaking point is. I want to see the 'failure is not an option' mindset.
Our BB test in Chung Do Kwan has 2 parts. A pre-test program where the Regional Master would go to our area and do a 4 hour class, ending with board breaking. Then we would go to our regional HQ and do part 2 which is belt forms ( in my case, all the forms from white belt to 2nd degree in random order), 3 step defense forms, 2 or 3 person sparring. I’m always nervous!
I was training for about 8 or 9 years. We went to Kangeiko (morning training) where we trained every morning at 6:00 am from Monday to Saturday. Saturday was always a special training session. One year, on Friday, after training, I was told that I was testing for the black belt. No time to prepare, not time to be nervous. And I was still tired from the training. I did the usual punching, kicking, and Katas (more than usual). Then I was thrown into the ring - with a 3rd degree and a 4th degree BB. They got to rest. I didn’t. They switched back and forth, tag-teaming on me. I don’t even remember how long it was. I don’t think I actually knew. I just know I could barely stand up when Sensei said I was done. I said that Saturday was usually a special session? Yup. That’s when the Sensei announced to the class that I had earned my 1st Dan. I was moved and felt humbled by my graduation. I actually didn’t believe that I deserved it at the time, mostly by my performance with the 2 black belt opponents. Today (6-7 years later), I feel I have both the skills and ability to pass on my training to others, and to live up to the honour of being presented with a black belt.
Hello Sensei Dan, as always greetings from Melbourne, Australia 🇦🇺 Osu! I cannot thank you enough, for shedding light and wisdom, to the general public, as to what might constitute to test, successfully pass and become a qualified black belt. For us in our Kyokushin Karate system, our gradings are as you mentioned in some schools, twice a year. For us it takes place at our Winter camps here in Australia, around April or early May, then also at our Summer camp in September. Our seasons differ from the rest of the world, hence why I specified the months of the year, according to our seasons here in Australia, as well as our neighbouring country, New Zealand. That aside our gradings for our black belt levels, last six to seven hours, throughout the main component of the grading day. We commence with a four kilometre run along the beach. Then we do our basics and other curriculum techniques, all lasting from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM or so. Then after breakfast the main theoretical part of the grading session, prior to lunch lasts again two hours. Once again commencing with basics, then theoretical techniques such as what we call moving up and down techniques, where we all get tested to see that we know our syllabus techniques, according to our rank. What usually happens is that we start from the lowest level, being the white belt, working our way through the various other belt ranks, orange, blue, yellow, green, brown and finally black. At each level of the test completed, students sit down and continue to watch the more advanced of us, up until us the black belts, being literally the last ones standing. Once the basics and the required techniques have been tested, we all sit down and our master calls students in groups, in accordance to their level, to perform their katas (forms). So once again the white belts commence, followed by the next levels, all the way up to the candidates testing for the various black belt levels or dans. Once they finish their katas, then they perform what we called sanbon kumite (three step fighting), which tests the students's abilities to react to attacks, be it strikes or grabs, with either striking as well as subduing the other party, in a controlled and safe manner. Pretty much this is our self defence segment test. Then they sit down and as previously mentioned, my master tests everyone on kata, self defence and fighting techniques, they sit down and watch everyone else after them, including the black belts. At the end of that segment we finish with fifty push ups, fifty set-ups, fifty leg squats with front and roundhouse kicks. After lunch we go jogging yet again, along the beach for four kilometres. Then we do exercises such as bunny hops, wheelbarrow waking on our knuckles, while the other person holds our feet up in the air, at their waste level as we walk on our fists. Then we have do duck walks, sprint races against a partner, running backwards against a partner. Then we do all of our basics again, lining up along the beach in the water, waste level. After that we do some combat and self defence drills, such as throws, leg sweeps, restraints, punching and kicking, combat combinations with a partner. After that the true gruelling part of the grading commences. The kumite (fighting)! With only a mouth guard and a groin protector for us males, while women also have a mouth guard and a chest protector. No gloves and no shin pads. Full contact sparring commences, each round lasting a minute and a half. The number of fights for students, is determined according to the rank. So white belts will do either eight fights maximum, then sit down and watch the rest. The black belt levels' fights are as follows. First dan testing candidates, need to do 40 fights, each fight consisting of a one minute and a half round. We swap opponents each round. From fight number 20, fresh and new fighters from brown belt and above commence to step in, to test everyone still fighting from that point and beyond. Second dan black belt candidates do 20 fights. Third dan black belt candidates should have done once again 20 fights. Nevertheless this year my master had the first dan black belt student, the second dan black belt student, as well as my other two friends and myself, attempting to grade for our third dan black belts (Sensei) teacher ranks, all of us do forty fights again. By the end we were battered, exhausted and bruised. However it did not conclude, until we all did fifty push ups, fifty set-ups, fifty burpees (push-up, set-up and jumping onto one's feet, up in the air, bringing one's knees to their chest). Then finally to conclude the stamina session from hell, again leg squats with front kicks and roundhouse kicks as we would rise up from our leg squats. That concludes the core part of the grading. All together 7 hours or so throughout that day. The next day once again, all of us extremely sore, jogging along the beach for the four kilometres run along the beach, the basics for one hour or so, then we do some warm up pushing exercises, then have fun all gathering around a big circle, two people taking turns at the sumo challenge. After the sumo challenge has determined a winner, we line up along the beach in teams of five and we do tag relay races. Where one has to lay flat on the sand start rolling down towards the water, along the sand. Then get up, race back and tag the next person in line. Again although being fun and a little bit competitive, tough and physically taxing none the less. The last segment of the camp, is about bo techniques, such as strikes, blocks, take downs, restraints and so forth. Then again all black belt candidates of the various dan levels grading, need to perform the bo katas, while all the other lower rank students watch. Once again we finish the last segment of the grading camp, with fifty knuckle push-ups, fifty set-ups, fifty crunches, fifty jack knives (combined sit-up with a stomach crunch), then the squat front kick, roundhouse kick drill, again fifty times. To conclude Sensei Dan, my first black belt dan grading I was extremely nervous, made a few mistakes, but was able to correct them. Our biggest enemy and harshest critical often, is our selves and our mindset. For my second and third dan gradings, I was more relaxed, calm, focused and collected. Given that having been there before, I already had the experience and knowledge of what to expect, as well as how to perform, prepare and pace myself. Definitely as you said, one needs to know and practice their material throughly. Being confident yet humble in one's abilities is the key. Ultimately as you said, a master will not ask you to attempt a grading, if you are not ready to grade successfully. The first dan black belt for us takes four years, the second dan two years after that, then the third dan black belt, four years thereafter. Excellent video as always. Looking forward to your next topic. May God bless you and your loved ones as always Sensei Dan, Osu! 👍 ☺ ✌
I am extremely impressed and humbled by your testing. Kyokushin is an intense art, and what you just described is incredibly hardcore and really shows the warrior spirit. I have a lot of people asking me to do a Kyokushin video, and I would want to do it correctly. Do you have any good recommendations for resources on the background and development of the art?
William W thank you greatly appreciated! We can all achieve greatness, all we need is to be shown the path and given the guidance, along our journey to attaining wisdom, Osu!
Art of One Dojo Sensei Dan how are you? Thank you for your kind words. I myself admire your art of Kenpo Karate, as it is also an intense, practical, honourable and no nonsense art. As I said I first encountered it in Jeff Speakman's film The Perfect Weapon. Then in martial arts magazines in the 1990s and the odd martial arts documentary, here and there. I have an idea would you be ok to exchanging email addresses? If so I could email you Kyokushin Karate information, for your research. You could also email Shihan Cameron Quinn, of our very own Queensland, Australia 🇦🇺. He is a world renowned Kyokushin Karate master and authority. Like you he also trains in Jiu-jitsu in addition to training and teaching Kyokushin Karate at his own school and also doing seminars world wide. He can be contacted directly through email or on his Facebook page. Let me look up his contact details and I will pass them onto you. He recently did a TH-cam interview with some Kyokushin Karate gentleman from Canada, interviewing various Kyokushin Karate, prominent figures around the world. Shihan Cameron Quinn, lived and trained in Japan himself, under the founder of our system, Sosai Oyama Masutatsu. In addition to that he was his personal interpreter for years, also has written the most concise and best written book about Kyokushin Karate, in the English language. It is called The Budo Karate of Mas Oyama. I myself was fortunate to be able to get a copy of the book myself, as it is now out of print. If I am not mistaken you are from New York right? From what I recall Michael Jai White, who portrayed Spawn in the 1990s live action film, is a Kyokushin Karate second dan black belt, besides the other styles that he has learned. His Kyokushin Karate master is also from New York if I am not mistaken. If not far from you, perhaps he would be great to interview and arrange a session for your Kyokushin Karate video segment for your TH-cam channel. Canadian and former UFC Welterweight champion, Georges St. Pierre is a Kyokushin Karate third dan black belt, in addition to his other martial arts training. Also Bas Rutten a former kickboxing and MMA, UFC heavyweight world champion, is also a Kyokushin Karate black belt fifth Dan. Please let me know how best to get in touch with you and I will help you obtain as much of the Kyokushin Karate information as you need. Wishing you the very best as always. Thank you for taking the time to read and respond to all of our comments, on your channel, Osu 🙏.
Absolutely, and this information sounds amazing. You can reach me at F2B@f2bpro.com and we can exchange more information there. That's amazing that Shihan Quinn trained under the founder himself, I definitely wanted to talk about him in the video of course. I'm actually in South Florida so New York would be a bit of a trip at this point but perhaps in the future. I would love to take a look at the information and very similar to the Taekwondo video, it will be an overview and a respectful introduction to the art just because of the massive amount of information. I'm looking forward to this one, I get so many requests from people almost on a daily basis asking for a Kyokushin video and I would love to learn more about it myself. Thank you so much for your support and your generous assistance with this project and this channel :)
8 hours for me. My Bujinkan group drilled a lady and I on all the techniques, kamae, weapons, rolling, break falls etc... We started with the army basic phy fitness test to tire us out. And finished it with a full contact randori against 4 different people. The first three wore pads and the 4th, my instructor, did not wear pads. I will never forget that day.
That's awesome actually. A lot of Bujinkan schools don't spar but I'm really glad to hear that yours does and did so as part of test. Congratulations on the hard work and achievement :)
@@ArtofOneDojo oh this was back in 2007. Haven't trained since about 2013. The idea behind the shodan test at the time was to tire you out to make sure you relied on technique, not strength and speed. The randori at the end, well we were not allowed to block or fight back, we had to move. After 8 hours that final two minutes was to show that we could move out of harm's way and be ok when someone was going full out at us. I got my lip split badly, so I also have a visual reminder to always move. Thank you btw.
Our black belt test takes place during our yearly camp, the test starts right after the 3rd workout ( 8pm) new shodons start, than the rest of the shodons, break, nidans, sandans, sleep, the rest of the black belts. Fighting the black belts in the afternoon and get promoted at the Shiai that night 😊
"A Black Belt is more than something you wear, more than something you earn. A Black Belt is something you become." one of my favorite sayings. altho, i don't remember who this originally came from, still powerful to the dedicated martial artists of the world. unfortunately, i don't have a Black Belt story. life always has a way of preventing that, but becoming a Black Belt has been a dream of mine since i was a tiny little guy. i've watched a few videos tonight of people getting promoted and the emotion i feel from it is pretty intense, so i can only imagine the intensity of being one of those who become a Black Belt. that said, i just want to say, to all you Black Belts out there that work your arse off for it, congratz!!!
Im training Shotokan-Karate (alltough its actually Style-Open) in the WKF in Germany. My Blackbelt-Test happend 9 Years after i started. Time it takes until the Test: Since Karate has the classical 10 Kyu/10 Dan system it normaly takes 5-7 years, however i started very young so it took longer. What is the Test? The Test itself took about 30 Minutes. Kihon (10 combinations) Kata (1 Heain+ 2 of Kanku Dai/Jion/Bassai Dai/Enpi/Hangetsu (normaly one chosen by you and one by the examinator). Then either Jiyu-Kumite (Free Sparing) or Self defence (of course not that free since due to the more brutal technics and the nervousity there is high risk of injury) Also it could be both. Where is the Test? The test has to be held by at least two licensed examinators. To be licensed for these tests the instructor has to hold at least 5. Dan in the style. Its held in bigger dojos most of the time where people from many different places can gather and do the test. Often there is also training with that instructor in the weeks prior to the test. Further there is seminars most of the time that kind of give you an idea what the instructor wants to see and what the no-gos are. Personal Oppinion: I think that type of test is perfectly fine. I don't see the point of doing test that go multiple hours or even days. Thats just the quantitiy of the test. The truly important part to me (and most examinators here) is the quality. Doing a Kata after 100 push-ups just worsens the kata that you practised so hard and doing kumite while gasped just increases risk of injury. That is why i think these tests are perfectly fine as they are here (and i get a higher heart rate from doing one Kanku Dai than from running half an hour so there is that). Thats just my oppinion though If you made it here thanks for reading and sorry for the spelling as i am not native:/
My 2nd Dan grading is broken up into 2 black belt sessions which last 3 hours and if you progress you go forward to grade. The grading it's self is 3 hours so in total it's 9 hours. The Dan grading goes by the dan grade for example 1st dan to 2nd is 1 years training and 2nd Dan to 3rd Dan is 2 years training. This is for ITF tae kwon do
My BJJ school doesn't really have a formal "test", but usually the instructor will roll a round with you, or the head instructor likes to do this thing called a "mystery match" where he pairs up two random students at the end of class and has them do a 10 minute round, this also acts as a test.
One of my favorite quotes, but I dont remember where I got it: "Dont practice till you get it right. Practice until you cant get it wrong."
Underrated comment! I'm training Iaijutsu since 8 years and preparing for my 1. degree blackbelt with this attitude in mind. And for me teaching students for years is helping too!
It’s a Julie Andrews quote
Training maxim-- "Amateurs practice until they get it right; professionals practice until they can't do it wrong." So true, yet signifies what kind of dedication to training will be expected of a student.
So true!!!
Totally get all of this! I’m working towards my 4th degree black belt in traditional taekwondo and I can attest to the anxiety right up there until the final exam. I know I’ve done it three times and I’m confident I can succeed again. I will have to dig in deep and focus on what I know. Nothing hard earned is never easy!
It took me 30 years to get my black belt in Kyokushin. I did have a ten year break though. I went back with my son and we got our black belts together. It was a long day and very stressful. I lost count of the times I thought I had nothing left. I got there in the end and what an amazing feeling.
That's pretty awesome. I like martial arts, but I can't do regular pushups, so I don't think I will get mine.
Plen122 lol sounds like an excuse man.
Darren Jones well done, it’s hard to get back into it after a long break.
OSU!
@@iamjulian2810 kinda. Although, I actually never said I wouldn't be able to do them. Lol
I’ve been training for 8 years and I test tomorrow. It’s 7 1/2 hours long! 😬
Chloe If you like to read, there is a book called Karate as a Guide to Gentleness, by C.W. Nichol, that I highly recommend.Good luck and GOD’S GRACE on the test!
Chloe. My dojo’s is 14-16 hours long. Sometimes it is Even LONGER then 16 hours like close to 20!😐
@@nataliesolondz4304 at my dojo for junior black belt it is a 7 hour test and then for shodan(1st degree black belt)The test is about 20 hours almost 24 hours of basically everything you have learned until that moment.My style of karate is isshinryu karate.
RESPECT OH GRANDMASTER
@@milos.8705 wow I can't imagine. My test was only a little over 3 hours for 1st Dan black belt and about 5 hours for second Dan. Those felt very long, did all our forms, walking drills with techniques and combinations of them. Timing drills and 100 self defences. Which half have to be take downs, sweeps. Some multiple attackers and line self defences. Sign of the cross board breaking 2 have to be with spinning techniques or jumping. Also demonstrate some teaching with how we would teach a beginner,intermediate or advanced belt. Korean terminology was part of it too.
I got my first BB at 23. When I was promoted to black belt, I showed up for class one day, and my teacher just said that today you will test for black belt. After demonstrating my skills and knowledge of all the techniques I had learned, I was told to go for a run outside and when I was ready, to come back and talk to the class about what the martial arts meant to me. This was in the dead of the frigid Midwestern winter, and the streets were covered with snow and ice. I ran barefoot and didn’t feel a thing! Returning to the dojo, I gave my presentation. At that point, in a moment I will never forget, my instructor took off the belt he was wearing and tied it around my waist! I’ve received four more promotions since then, but I wore that same well-worn belt to train today.
That's an AWESOME story! Dang, running outside on the ice barefoot, that's hard core!
Thank you, Dan. I was raised in Chicago so I didn't know any better, plus, it wasn't my idea, lol I'd like to add that I finished my talk to the class by saying, "The martial arts is not what you can do to someone, but rather what you can do for someone." The longer I stay in this journey, the more I understand how true that is.
Max Rowe - You are welcome to follow any path that suits you, but imo, you are not doing martial arts, you are doing combat sports. As I just said, there is nothing wrong with that. And trust me, this teacher earned the respect everyone gave him. He was a man of few words, but plenty of action.
@@ArtofOneDojo I was a muay thai fighter. There's no belt system in muay thai.
That is incredibly cringey dude...uugh...
My karate black belt test was awesome... it took me like 3 hours but it was worth. It took me 5 years of training it. As the video says, physical training is key
Mine's took 3 hours but it was brutal. It took me 11 years to earn my first dan black belt. It was totally worth it. Took it on 2-4-20.
HAHAHA thats funny mine is four days!!!! 3 hours i wish and there was no breaks and i have to sleep there! haha
My black belt test was about 3 hours. After 5 to 6 years of training.
@@simplychloe3839 seams like overkill to me. I don't see how any test could take that long. I dont even think my instructors 5th Dan test was that long. It was long like 12 hours over 3 days. But still.
His test was that long because alot of his test was watching his test and critiquing himself and explaining the techniques and what they are doing ect. Watching self defences on video and explaing what he could have done better or what else would have worked. Ect.
When I received my blackbelt I was told now that you've mastered the basics it time to learn!
Late to the party on this one. Perfect list. The only thing I would add? The night before your test, do something relaxing. I stayed at home and chilled with my dogs and my wife.
That's why I bought mine on amazon
J.C. Penny, $3.98!
Art of One Dojo in Okinawa belt mean no need rope to hold up pants
Jay Deandre ..Ha!
Jay Deandre if you can buy it it has no real value. That is like buying barbells and then wondering why you’re not getting stronger by simply looking at them from the couch! I hope you were joking, and will forgive me from stepping up onto the bitch box!
Jay Deandre LMFAAAOOOOO bruh. SAVAGE AF 😂😂😂😹😹🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸. Murica !!
My adult Black Belt test concluded an 8 year full time curriculum. It was 16 hours total across 5 days. 2 hrs. on Mon night, 2 hrs. on Tues night, 2hrs. on Wed night, 2 hrs. on Thurs night, Off Fri night and 8 hours on Sat. from 8 AM to about 4 PM or upon conclusion, with brief 5 min breaks peppering across the day, typically between sections of subjects, and 1/2 hour lunch break (although it was advised to re-hydrate and rest only). Observing judges participating in eating, while you alone did not, was meant to challenge further self discipline. Testing was performed in front of a seated panel of all previous Black Belts in this Art available to judge and grade. I had 7 judges, with the Grandmaster at the center, and with unanimous agreement of test passage prior to presenting the Rank. Testing consisted of Karate, Judo, Jujitsu, Kobudo, Arnis, and Self Defense against a full power attacker. This was the hardest test I ever took in my life. To receive this Rank in my school, made me feel like I was experiencing being re-born into the Martial Arts. We have no such thing as a Jr. Black Belt Division. Our program is so lengthy, that even a child will be nearly an adult when ready to test for our Black Belt. I honor and thank my school, by continuing to teach, and train for my next ranks. Currently, I am 2nd Dan. No family, nor any outsiders, were permitted to witness this testing. Pre-selected live Uke, were permitted to observe, as they would be participating in the self defense portion, and would be invited in at the appropriate time only. Photo and Video were taken at the conclusion during the awarding only.
Now, what exactly was the martial art you are referring to? "Testing consisted of Karate, Judo, Jujitsu, Kobudo, Arnis, and Self Defense against a full power attacker" does not sound like it, well, actually happened.
4 years, it took me 4 years to get to brown belt. I've been training for 6yrs and now I'm learning new styles and I'm a white belt again.
Damn i trained for 15 years in the army, 7 years of witch i was an instructor. cross trained with other branches and countries did countless military tournaments, trained thousands of soldiers, have hundreds of thousands of hours on the mat. Guess what belt i am? None. No rank what so ever. Never mind that i can actually fight, never mind my traini g and teaching, never mind my actual combat experience..no rank and people really tell me i waisted my time because i dont have a black belt...
@@vikingbluesbreaker729 don’t let them. Belts sorta matter. A guy at my dojo has the same story. His daughter is closer to her black than he is. He reenrolled yeeeeaaars later and is now being graded and moving up.
one month training is good enough for black belt if u own a ctazy mind and a very strong determination
@@HenLover no
@@larissabuceto5726
If u can mention to me the tasks required for black bekt and give me 30 days... I will upload my video within 30 days... Weather its breaking.... Fitness.. Stretching or any other thing including kataas... 😊😊😊
My last Black Belt test was broken in 2 parts. The first was a Black Belt Pre Test that lasted 5 1/2 hours and then the regular test that lasted 3 1/2 hours. Both were great experiences. Many hate on the Kenpo in my art but I wouldn’t where I’m at today without it. Now I’m getting ready to test for my 2nd degree and getting prepared for it has been nothing but great.
Anyways great job Mr. Dan. You really know how to create great Martial Arts videos. =] Keep up the good work.
Yes, unfortunately Kenpo often gets a lot of hate, but just like any art it comes down to the school. When you find a good Kenpo school, it's an excellent art, but when you find a bad school it's HORRENDOUS. I have seen both. Thank you for the kind words :)
nowadays yu can always buy the black belts especially from the american born instructors
Farley Productions NINE HOURS 😫☠
@@ArtofOneDojo Are there international karate competitions and do you have to be a black belt to compete in official karate matches?
@@ArtofOneDojo Jackie Chan was black belt in another form of martial arts and also studied karate, do you think he would have been a legitimate black belt and that this would mean he was pretty steeped in his knowledge of karate also?
I was in a unique situation that led to my test being a live-in student for a summer that culminated in me teaching the application of a particular high level kata at a weekend seminar. The night I was leaving to go back to living at my own house while I was packing my stuff, my Sensei walked up to me said some things I won’t repeat here and presented me with black belt. No formalities or any of the normal testing stuff. Just some questions, words of wisdom, a bow and then my belt. I will never forget it. It’s not the piece of cloth. It’s the color. It was being told that I was ready to really begin.
I studied Muay Thai. Alot of my friends studied different styles. Some made it to Brown belt in their style while a few made it to black. Your videos and advice are great! Keep up the great work!
Thank you!
Another great video Mr Dan. I never new that black belt tests had so much to them.
We do twice a year and everyone past green must attend so when it’s time for black belt we’ve already have experienced it for 2+ years.
Mine was a VERY long time ago but I remember it like it was yesterday - TOUGH!!! Having said that, I loved every minute of it :) However, over the years I switched to different system. I assess my students on their performance over a testing period (of months), rather than using the exam method. The reason for this is that there would often be students who perform well, and consistently, in every lesson and yet for whatever reason didn't do so well during a test. Conversely, other students had been VERY average during the previous months and yet shone on the day. So, I prefer to grade them on consistent good form. In effect, every lesson is a "grading". When I am satisfied that all requirements have been met, they are presented with the grade, which is to honour their hard work. I've found that this encourages the students to train hard, always, and not just for a belt. In fact, the belt is just a nice bonus :)
I like this approach very much :)
Cheers mate :)
It took me 4 tries to earn my black belt in shotokan. After my third try, I was pissed when my sensei said that I failed, so I asked him how did I fail 3 times. That's when he told me that I was to cocky and he didn't think that I was taking my training seriously. After that, I skipped the next two tests, and began mentoring a few younger students and after a 18 months, I went back to try. again. Because I had spent time training other students, it humbled me enough to finally earn my black belt. It was the second greatest achievement I ever had. The greatest was watching one of the young students I mentored earn his black belt before me.
I have to give you credit for making that realization and adjusting. Too many people won't take that kind of criticism and never change. You should definitely be proud of what you accomplished.
I got mine in Kenpo. It took 4 yrs, lots of hard work and dedication but it was on my bucket list. Loved the test and getting it was the best feeling of my life!!!!!!!
As a man with 2 junior black belts and an adult black belt with Kempo as one style, I can attest that all this information is true!
Consisted of about 300 pushups, 400 squats, 2+ miles running, teamwork exercises, demonstrations of basics, etc, with, of course, demonstration of material all in the course of 6 hours.
Mine was 8 hours
Damproxey 101 nice
My shodan black test in Karate took place over several days probably over ten hours total about four hours on the final test day. Three mile run in under 30 minutes, 100 push ups, sit ups, leg raises, kicks and hand techniques. Forms empty hand and weapons, basics, bunkai, Q&A and finally over two hours of sparring. About five years total training.
It took me...decades...so far. I have always been of the mindset that I must earn the quality of my ranks every time I train, and/or teach. Complacency is a killer in the martial way, so I just try to train the best I can for the rest of my life.
My black belt test was 6 weeks long. 5 two hour tests then the last test was 7.5 hours. I wish they still did that, i want all my tests to be that rewarding
My sensei taught me in kenpo karate and shotokan. Most of the Kata were taken directly from shotokan, and the combinations from kenpo. My shodan test wasn’t as long as some people describe theirs to be. There was about an hour of cardio: push-ups, squat thrusts, sit-ups, jumping- jacks, etc. Then we did our kenpo self defense combinations, followed by throws and one steps, and we ended with sparring. Sparring was the longest portion. Between 2 hours of sparring, I sparred 6 different people. It was physically demanding and exhausting, but I felt a great sense of relief & accomplishment afterwards. This was much as you described. Your sensei knows your knowledge, respect, and capability, otherwise you wouldn’t be testing. I’m 34 now, I teach, and not once have I ever trained to break or broken a board.
Thank you for this video. It is great to hear martial artists speak with respect about earning their Black Belt. I suspect those who talk as if Black belts are a dime a dozen are the ones who would do anything imaginable to get one other than spend the years of sweat and repetition acquired to earn it .
This video is so helpful I take my first black belt test in a month and I’ve been training for 6 1/2 years for this.
Awesome! Best of luck to you! What system are you training in?
I just got my black belt yesterday. Have to say it was one of the most challenging things I have ever done in my life. Pulled my leg through the warm up and still pushed on, ignorance gets you through anything
NICE JOB! Good dedication to keep going when you were hurt, but it feels good to have accomplished that doesn't it? Congratulations!
I never took a test. After proudly surprising him with my own kata that I had developed in secret, my teacher, with great satisfaction, told me I had learned everything he could teach me, as well as I could learn it. He said I could call myself a black belt, if I wanted and gave his blessing to pass on what he taught me.
I was trained with a neighborhood friend, by my nextdoor neighbor, outside the curriculum of his school.
Very cool! What style were you training in?
@@ArtofOneDojo
He had a school with his brother teaching Shotokan and Goju, and taught Shorin Ryu two weekends a month, at a friend's school in the city. I learned mostly Shorin Ryu, with some other stuff strung through it. I guess you could call it a family style, a couple generations old, that they didn't teach professionally. The katas were mostly modified and a couple unique family ones. He saw my friend and me trying to do karate in my backyard, out of a book and stack of martial arts magazines when we were like 12 and started with just some tips to keep us from hurting each other; and he would spar with us a little. I guess he decided we were serious and started teaching us on a regular basis. I did it for about five or six years; my friend pretty much quit after about three years, when he got a girlfriend and found other priorities(jerk 😒). I kept up with it some after I moved and helped out at his school a few times. He closed down in the mid 90s and opened a landscaping business. Ive done a few classes here and there, in some different things and studied judo off and on, for about 25 years. Been boxing a couple times a month for about 30 years. Now, I work out of a PMC in the Houston area, as a CRSO and firearms instructor and I assist with our combatives program that I had some input in designing; its based on boxing, with some high percentage judo and built loosely on a generic 'karate' framework for communication between the boxing and judo; plus Ive Incorporated some combos and really slick distance closers, that I learned from Shorin Ryu.
my school system has a testing period for two hours every saturday eight weeks leading up to graduation. we are tested on curriculum, sparring, and our endurance, but i wish there was more of an emphasis on fitness and physical readiness, as students who fall behind in the physical component are still allowed to graduate. i hope one day to become a leader among my system of schools so i can introduce this, or to atleast tighten standards, because during my time in advanced belt testing, i watched students who were definitely ill-prepared receive their black belts. new students look to the black belts of the class to be inspired of what they can become, and although many are truly amazing in their skill, too many still lack in their basics.
Thanks for that video. I'm due my 4th Dan grading in November and I'm very nervous about it. I agree with what you said about adapting if need be, especially when it comes to the self defence. We are always told that the one step self defence techniques are not set in stone so not to worry if you step with the right instead of the left etc. just adapt to the situation. I have been with the same instructor since 2002 when the club started in my home town.
Exactly, it's much more important to be able to act and respond in the moment then trying to make sure it's performed the way it was memorized. Good luck on your test, I'd love to hear how it goes! What art are you training in?
Art of One Dojo I am currently training in Tang Soo Do and have have been since 2002. I was among the first group to grade to black belt in my club. I will let you know how it goes
Art of One Dojo i thought i would let you know i passed my masters test
@@johnobrien401 good job just got my 1st degree in tae kwon do from a real school and not them fake school giving out black belts like candy and I wish you the best of luck going for your 5th degree
Damproxey 101 congratulations to you too
12 years of constant training to get my kyokushin blackbelt.
The blackbelt grading went on for two days. Two full days of Kata and Kihon, from white to blackbelt. Finished by a strength test & a 30-man kumite.
30 2-minute rounds against mostly blackbelts trying to make me quit.
Getting my blackbelt was the best day of my life, and my greatest achievement.
I LOVE stories like this. You went through the gauntlet and came through. That says a lot about your character and you have my respect for completing that. I wish you only continued success in your future training.
A black belt is a white belt that never gave up
Excellent, very well said. When I used to study Hapkido, the first stage of every test was the interview. You'd get up in front of a table of a handful of masters in suits with something like 20 other black belts sitting on the wall and watching. Before asking you to speak for two minutes on one of several topics you were asked to prepare for, they would always begin by asking, "Please tell us your name, your age, and how long you've been studying," but then they would always ask, "Are you ready for this test?" It's amazing how well you can gauge the candidate by how they answer that last question. I've heard stories of, usually younger folks, who were not prepared to answer that question confidently failing tests. Not much more I can really add that you haven't already covered.
Tom Lyman my answer was always “never” however I could always do the test. And I am never truly prepared that’s just a fact. Now I’m training in a more modern style and the tests are a lot easier.
That's an interesting point about the interview. Many Kenpo schools make us write a written thesis for first dan black belt. We can pick the topic but we have to argue or illustrate our points.
@@ArtofOneDojo Yeah, in Shorinji Kempo which I've been doing since then there are no interviews, but multiple essays in addition to a written test. Study like nine topics, they give you four. Pencil, paper, one hour, write. Usually on the floor. After that, then they start the test.
6 years of training in a small dojo, my black belt grading is tomorrow in the head dojo. Wish me luck!
BEST OF LUCK! Let me know how it goes!
I’m back from grading, it went well! I’m now a black belt :) my parents are happy!
@@shiny_gazelle9280 That's awesome! Congratulations! What art do you train in? Just curious?
Taekwondoe
Everything you just described. The rain is of emotions the physical and mental stress. Loved it, made it to Sandan in Shorin-Ryu....
50 years old I hope I test for a few more.
Very nice work! How long have you been training?
Excellent presentation; good coaching. Important to note that the goal should not be to get a Black Belt. It is to be a Black Belt.
When I was getting my black belt, we had to attend additional classes (black belt preparation) on top of the regularly scheduled classes for six months before the black belt test itself. They were twice as long as the normal classes. They were to insure that we were in good enough shape to get through the test and to make sure we were prepared for each part. We also had to learn few new things such as sparring with two opponents and breaking cinder blocks. The two-opponent sparring was for first degree black belt. Second degree involved four-opponent sparring.
Come to think of it, if the number of opponents double with each degree, by 10th degree, you'd have 1024 sparring partners. It would be like fighting the Agent Smiths in The Matrix Reloaded :)
Shouldn't be a problem as long as you're "the one" and can do the Superman move.
Same
I tested for my black belt in 2014. I had traveled to my style's international training camp, that year in Raleigh NC, for the test. The minute the plane left the ground, I was a ball of nerves. I had already submitted a written paper, discussing what I'd come to learn so far in the martial arts (besides punching, kicking, throwing, etc.) and had gotten a lot of positive feedback from several masters in my style. That did nothing to calm me down though. By the actual test I was nothing but nerves. We opened up with some light calisthenics for a warmup. It wasn't much, just a few punches, some push ups, a couple of drills, and I was already gassed by the end of it. We then went into board breaking. I was testing in a pretty big group, so I had enough time to recover from the warmup before I went up. My boards broke with almost no trouble. From there we went into kata. Starting with weapon forms, I completely botched the opening of one of my bo forms. We also worked with short stick forms and then went to the empty hand forms. All the while we were going up in groups of 4 or 5, so that the proctors (all 5th degrees, with one 6th degree master overseeing) could get a good look at us. To my somewhat relief, one of the kata I was expecting to test on didn't come up. It was replaced with a lower form that I still see as my favorite from the colored belt curriculum. From there we went into basics. Well over an hour of stepping and turning drills with every strike, block, or other technique represented at least once. I was so exhausted the master overseeing had to tell me to get my power back up a couple times. Interspersed through all of this were the stamina requirements, consisting of normal pushups, knuckle pushups, fingertip pushups, and one arms. I normally don't do any of the advanced pushups, but I was hopped up on so much adrenaline that I did them and barely noticed. The final primary stage of the test was the self defense demo. I had practiced the 5 minute sequence with my partners for months. A lot of things went right. A lot of things went clean. Then my girlfriend, now my wife, jumped in out of sequence! My plan went out the window. I still blocked her, still took her down, but I didn't do it in any way that I had intended. Somehow, even after everything, after feeling like I'd done horribly, after feeling like I hadn't performed anywhere near my personal standard, and after want for half the test to just give up, I still passed. It was 4 hours of hell. But in retrospect, I love every minute of it.
I love this comment, because it is such a raw and real experience. You faced the nerves and you still did what you had to do. You were nervous, but you still did your part, and that is a very big part of the test. I know you felt like you did wrong with the impromptu part of the test and your wife, but as an instructor I do look for that. It's really important to be able to act on the fly, and I don't know what style you train in, but if you can adapt in the moment and take charge of the situation and defend yourself...that holds a LOT of weight with me. Good job on your test, I know we feel there are things we could have done differently but you did it. You passed, and you worked hard for it. Great job!
Thanks. It took me a while, about a year to get over the feeling that I actually shouldn't have passed. These days I see what I did wrong and I use it to better prepare upcoming candidates at my school. My style is called Cuong Nhu. It starts out as a variant of Shotokan, but students get exposed to techniques and principles from Boxing, Judo, Aikido, Tai Chi, Vietnamese Arts, and Wing Chun. We also train with various weapons. It's a fun style with a great community. I don't know if there is a school in your area, but I hope you get the opportunity to meet some individuals in the style, as many of them are exemplary human beings.
Wow.....! Sounds like a rough day. Glad you came out on top!
My black belt test for kenpo is this Saturday. Crazy to think that I started this almost 5 years ago and its finally here. I am a bit nervous, and i don't "feel" ready. My instructor says thats a good thing though. It means that i know theres improvement to be made. But ive been working my butt off. One thing is for sure. I will give it everything i got. I also wanna say thank you for your videos. I started watching them at the beginning of my journey and they have helped tremendously.
Stressing out of my mind. I have my black belt test comming this April. I don't feel ready and have a lot to work on 21 katas, 64 one steps and a boat load of self defence / ju-jitsu. It only adds to the pressure that I'll be the first one at this school testing at this level in 17 years. Your videos do help remind me to relax and train, train, train. Wish me luck.
Well you still have time, just focus on the material and try not to focus too much on the deadline. Part of being a black belt IS putting your mind in a focused and peaceful state. Just relax, study your material, make sure to eat well and get good rest to keep your energy in place and just keep in mind that if for some reason you don't pass this one, it's not the end of the world and you get another chance, and you'll know what needed additional work.
But as an instructor, I know that part of the test is being asked to test in the first place. Your instructor would not even be letting you test if they didn't feel like you were ready for it. An instructor can also tell if a student is really trying or thinks they are breezing through it.
Keep calm, focus on the material, and you should be fine my friend! I would love to hear back to hear about your experience!
Remember my 4th dan test sparing was rough
I just earned my black belt yesterday. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. 3 1/2 year and I double promoted once. The test was rigorous and the katas were super nerve racking. But what an amazing feeling it is knowing all my hard work paid off. Great video!
Congratulations!
How do you get double promoted? Do you mean you earned for example a yellow belt and an orange belt the same day?
Master Dan, I just want to thank you for all your advice and tips in your black belt videos as well as the advise you gave me on a comment I left you awhile back. Today I am testing for my black belt after 13 years.
Shodan in jujutsu, 6 years culminating into 4 hours. Before the test we bowed in, them warmed up/stretched. Then we did all break falls, hard techniques (punching, blocking, etc), hold escapes plus 2 variations, then sparring against two people.
in the club that i am training in, we do have 2 black belt tests every year but the tests last a whole day (from 6 am to 9 pm with a break in between) i have my karate 2nd dan test coming up in October too and the holidays give me lots of time to train so wish me luck
Best of luck my friend!!!!
I can't be the only one who read the title of this video as "What does a black belt taste like?"...
Very dry....a bit chewy...high in fiber, has a stale cracker taste to it. After a workout it's a little more salty.
I took Karate classes when I was in college the first time. about 2 years. learned a few things and earned yellow. 38 years later, I don't care about rank, I care about learning. I will always wear a white belt. My "rank" will be evident if we spar, or you watch me train, or the sharpness of my form as I perform a sword cut.
Very interesting videos. Just watched the one about McDojos. Good information. Thank you.
my last 2 black belt tests. i only found out i was going a couple days beforehand. i am pretty sure i was told that i was going so that my instructor can make sure that i am most definitely ready to attempt and not have to worry if im good enough or not. not enough time for me to worry when its that weekend 😅. passed it both times and felt so much better knowing only a couple of days before than knowing for like a month where i most definitely should not have gotten my black belt. still grateful on getting it though
My bb test was 3 days. One 8 hour test on the push ups, sit ups, etc. Then breaking boards and bricks, sparring. Half the day wearing your gi, the other half with street clothes. One 8 hour day of testing in the woods of basically the same thing on the first day but with running. Half day with gi, half day with street clothes. Third day was 4 hours of weapons testing. With gi and without. My sensei believed in having training with gi and street clothes, in the dojo and outside the dojo. Including training in the woods. He added survival skills as well. He believed our training should include all aspects and environments of life even in various weather conditions. He only taught 10 students at a time. It took me 20 yrs for my bb with various training methods. I'm now 50 holding a 5th bb.
My black belt test took place over multiple days with one day an hour and half of sparring. On the day of the test a three mile run in under 30 minutes, 100 push ups, sit ups, leg raises. 100 kicks with each leg, 100 punches with each hand. Kata empty hand and weapons, Bunkai (self defense application), Q&A, written essay and about an hour of sparring including every black belt that shows up for the test.
My BB exam is in less than a month. I basically have 7 days to train/prepare/ condition myself due to my work schedule. I started in Shotokan style when I was 10 and left when I was 16 or 17 with a green belt. I came back in 2015 and acquired a belt every six months until my exam last summer when I broke a toe on my Sensei the day before the exam. I pretty much took this last year off for school, so the last 3 training sessions with my dad were pretty tough, lol. But I can do this!
You totally have this!
Art of One Dojo took the exam today and passed! From missing almost a full “season” of training and having only 8 1- 1/12 hour days of training before attending a two day long seminar before the exam, I am in a LOT of pain right now but it totally paid off!
I took my blackbelt test or as the terminology in Wing Chun(Tsun) system 1st Technician back in July 2023. IT WAS INTENSE. We start with basic forms, basic footwork, chain punching and self defense. Then it is sparring. 1 on 1 sparring we go until the instructor says stop or we subdue the other person. This can go for many rounds. Then it is multiple opponents. This is the same as the 1 on 1. Lastly, the instructor will give us notes on little tiny things that needs to be improved on the forms or the fighting. At the end you at left gas out. I was grateful. I passed and I had a lot going on because my Mom just passed away a few days ago
Nice explanation. I really liked the part of adaption, which I totally agree with!
Very nice description of a black belt test. My black belt test was very similar. It took me 11 years to earn my first dan black belt. It would have been sooner had I not dislocated my patella or broken my third toe doing a kick. However it was worth the journey. Every test pass the brown belt was brutal. My sensei and dojo doesn't give away belts and I earned every single belt. I had to do an interview a week before the black belt test. My black belt test was taken on 2-4-20. I prepared for 2 months, doing katas and self defense every day. At night I would jump rope and do the elliptical machine 3 times a day. There was no bread, sugars or anything harmful to my body during the preparation period. No eating pass 6pm either. I stopped contact with everyone except close friends and family. I did each kata 200 times beforehand. I did each self defense 200 times on the right and left side. For the exam I had to do 13 katas. I dropped 16 lbs and was lean and ready to go during test day. The test itself was 3 hours and was 5 times worst than what I thought it would be. After the first 15 minutes of starting the exam I was gassed. Then the mental factor kicked in. Once I crossed that hurdle everything else was a blur. After the test, he then gives me a sheet asking how I felt I did in the technical area, stamina and basics. Then two weeks after that paper was turned in I had to turn in a paper using one word to describe my martial arts journey. That experience was worth it to me and I will do it all over again when working toward a 2nd dan black belt which will take another 4-5 years.
Mistakes are good. It's good for us to see how they adapt and overcome the mistake. I always tell my students nervous is good. That means you care. I get more worried about folks who aren't nervous. Like they don't understand the gravity of it.
From brown belt I did 4 formal classes a week, trained at home after class, did basics at home every day before work, on the weekends done beach runs on soft sand etc. And the Black Belt test nearly killed me with the sparring but after I finished the sparring, I had one tile to do, and I finished it. I stood there dripping with sweat, every muscle aching, and I knew I gave everything that night. And if I had failed, it wasn't from lack of will power, lack of stamina etc. I had passed, I was elated. And I was told that I had set a standard that others had to reach.
Wow. I am showing this to my students so they knew it is not just us who are like this.
It took me 3 1/2 years of hard training just to get my Brown-belt in Kyokushin! It will probably be about that long to get the Black-belt under my Shihan. He is ol'skool traditional and doesn't believe in any short-cuts!
Tonio Yendis 3.5 years just to get my green in Shotokan. But at least then you know that you have earned it!!
I took my black belt test while I was in Iraq with the US Army it was a lot of fun but omg I wasn’t as ready as I thought I was. It took three days due to missions. And our teacher was a 9th dan in WTKD. He told us we train to fight we train to win. You will learn the same way I did. Which was fun. I have been in karate (shorin ryu) for years also. I just start my path in Gracie BJJ. Martial arts is a life long journey that should never be taken lightly
Part of my Black Belt Training included all you said, plus written assignments a year leading up to and most of all, Teaching! I had to teach classes both juniors and seniors. This was actually one of the best ways to learn and improve my Karate'. And never stop learning. This is why the Black Belt eventually fades to white again. As a symbol of starting over. Unfortunately I don't practise anymore, however I still do love teaching people some basic moves in self defence or remind people of the philosophy. One day, I may take it back up and begin my journey again.
My test is coming up in 4 months. Its a 16 hour test in one day. Sensei told me that before anything else, prioritize my endurance, and atleast be able to run 8-9 miles to be safe. Im very very nervous, because college is doing the exact opposite for me. Im doing my best to run every other day, but I for sure will put a lot of effort in when my semester ends. To everybody who is preparing as well, we will break through, lets do our best and show our best!
Thank you for all of your informative videos! I am just getting back into it, I used to be a yellow belt in E.P. American Kenpo. I plan to continue my training till the end this time. I don't know why I ever stopped tbh
I have a black belt in a mixed martial art of Krav Maga and American Kempo. I had 4 tests totaling over 30 hours. I had to memorize 18 forms/katas, 25 self defense techniques in the air, on the body partial contact, and then on the body full contact. I had to run a total of 2 1/2 miles, 225 pushups, and plank 6 minutes. I also had to spar 4 different instructors full contact. The test was extremely difficult. I also had to do a total of 18 hours of pad striking.
Sounds like it was really well earned to me :)
It took me 7 years to get to shodan. But I did have a 1.5 year break. Mine was back in 1992 and when it was sparring time I got the bash.
Couldn't lift my arms above my head for 3 days. Wept continually for a week. It was the hardest thing I've ever done, and the most amazing experience toward a new beginning.
Ours is done over a 16 hour period students who are testing show up at 4pm then the doors are locked they finish at 8 am the next morning. There's a physical fitness portion, sparring, weapons proficiency, kata, and an improvised kata or free kata designed by the student. The instructors know how nerve racking it is so there is also games added to relax the students for example... they throw a bunch of kick pads out on the floor, blindfold a student and they have to navigate the floor just from their teams vocal instructions. It's normally finished with a board break.
back in the 90s i was in kempo karate as a kid and did the black belt test and i got one work for the test hell but in the end i passed thanks to the great instructor Frankenberg the best teacher ever i was disabled and he got me and was able to help me in ways no one can understand he still teaches in Colorado i would highly recommend him if you are in Colorado springs or the area around that
Our Black Belt test for 1st Dan is a 2 week long process. The first week, this is an overall observational period. It is non-intrusive for the most part where the student is being observed, their peer interactions, self discipline, attitude, training ethic and the like are all taken into account. An instructor may also randomly go to the student and ask to see any one of the previously learned techniques on the spot. The second week is MORE interactive. Through the week the students technical development is more of concern. A student may have not just a technique be required to be demonstrated at any time, but with a resisting and more aggressive opponent. Their cardio will be tested and in the last days (depending on how many are testing) they will be required to do a complete skills test, sparring and will be required to show 3 techniques of their choosing utilized in a self defense scenario they develop. Failing is a distinct possibility, but students are typically not selected for testing unless we feel they are truly ready. In the event that a student does fail they are permitted 2 free retests. Anything after that and they will be required to wait till the next testing cycle to test again, but at only a portion of the cost. They WILL NOT be permitted to test this at the next testing cycle without personal tutoring, which typically is not charged for. just more like more one on one attention from instructors. It is important that students EARN their belts from us. We do not guarantee any belts and if that discourages a potential student, then I am happy to refer them elsewhere.... I do what I do because I love it, not because I need to.
Mines tomorrow and I'm nervous.
Just keep this in mind...you wouldn't have been asked to test if your instructor didn't think you were ready. Chances are, he's already decided. Just do the best you can and let us know how it goes! Good Luck!
I passed! Very sore the next day though.
VERY AWESOME! Congrats! I bet it's a good kind of sore though right? :)
Eight hours test...but one awesome day!
Hewwo my black belt test for me is tomorrow and what a coincidence that we are in the same martial arts. I am from the tony martinz kenpo karate dojo. Im excited but also scared. Have a Good day!!!!
That's awesome! Best of luck to you and please come back and let me know how it goes!
I think of of the most demanding black belt testing procedures I have heard of was from a Korean style called Hwa Rang Do. My understanding is that when you test for your black belt, you have to basically retest every belt level up to it an then test the black belt material, all in the same day, what would amount to an 8 or 10 hour test. I only made it to yellow belt before the school closed but the descriptions of the black belt testing process from the instructor were just brutal.
My BB test was very hard, but worth it in the end. Started off with some kicking warmups, then once we started we immediately did 100 punches(which made me tired fast), then we did kicking up and down the length of our dojang, forms, hapkido, 3v1 defensive sparring, belt takedowns(for fun I think, or to see how well we were able to balance), and at the end, some instructors came out to try and push our arms down while we held them straight out horizontally for 90 seconds, it was pretty painful but surely worth it, it hurt so bad because I was extremely exhausted from all the pushups we did throughout the test, I likely did close to 200 - 250 once the test was over, maybe more if I can remember, and the pushups were in decent increments(25, even 50). After all that we did our board breaks, and that was the end. I practiced for about 8 years, but it was surely fun and worth it, especially after obtaining so much self defense knowledge, and I'm still learning more! I think the BB tests my dojang hold condense the test instead of breaking it up making it more challenging(physical challenges combined with mental ones without breaks), mine lasted around 2 hours. (This was taekwondo)
I remember my first black belt test was a long day indeed. We had to do exercises in the dojo, then we did every kata up to black Belt. Then we sparred many rounds about three to four. Then we will find out if we passed or not. I must of done well because I received mine. And you are right you are dead tired and excited at the same time. I think I drank an ocean that day. But I felt good! Then I moved and tried another style and again in time and a lot of blood, sweat, and tears got a second one in a different style. Took me 15 years and lots of competitions, but then life happened and now after 20+ years I am going back and yet again a new style. The Sensi said if I had trained after we started class and I said yes. Stances are a bit different from what I remember, but it is something new to try. As I was watching your video I started to remember my own tests and how tired and in pain I was but at the same time a feeling of accomplishment at the end of hours of testing. Excellent video!
Interesting how every school is different. A black belt can mean so many different things. For me, my test took about 8 hours after 7ish years.
I will not elaborate on the subject of the style I've been training, but it is a well-known school and a large organization in Poland. I started fourteen years ago but for many reasons I had to stop the trainings. Today I do not even live in the city where I was training. From the beginning I had no luck to trainers. But in the end I came across someone with whom I could train all these years, but life is life and I write different scenarios. Last year I decided to return to active Karate. I found a coach who would like to accept such a 33-year-old fellow like me to his school. After a while, things started to be complicated. After all, this instructor kept saying that he did not want to train me because he was afraid that I would like to steal personal information from him or something like that. Again a strange man. I attended over 75 kilometers for these classes. Now there is no one around who would like to train me. With the rest I do not know if after all these vicissitudes I still want to.
Ps. I do not have a black belt and everything indicates that I will not have anymore ...
I've seen people testing for Black Belt becoming nervous. When my time comes, I'll probably be nervous as well, but one thing that helps me is I am comfortable with failure. I will obviously do my best to pass, but if I fail, I'll work hard and try again. The true mark of character is not how you handle success, but how you handle setback and failure.
In the dojo I trained at, even Yellow Belt had to be earned. I actually failed my Yellow Belt test the first time. It gets progressively harder. That is what makes it worth it.
My 14 year old son and I have our adult black belt test in three weeks. Our dojo put together a special class it called black belt boot camp and is 2hrs. on a Friday night twice a month to help us train so we will be ready.
in the 1980's i took karate i worked up to a yellow belt working to train for the blue belt then left unable to do a lot cause of injury's i still read and research the art's and understand a great deal more i put together my own library of books to read and research it has helped me a great deal i have gone through some of the tests lower level unfortunately injury's took over i took the test and able to pass the first time a group test
it’s worth it! I love the regular martial arts and the mixed martial arts both; I’m training in both areas. I think people should train for their safety the way the world is now a days!
Excellent video sensei
It took me 6 and half years to get my black belt the test was 4hours and half we did 15 min running
50 squats
100 push ups
100 sit ups
-5 Lap pad kicking 6 or 7 holders
Basics kick from back kicks turning kick
Spinning kicks with combos ect
-Then heavy shield bag work power kicks all power
Then the sparring boots and gloves
18 rounds 3 min
Then Olympic sparring gear 22 rounds of sparring 3 or 4 min rounds
And before sparring out kata or patterns
-then our one step sparring 36 moves
And that was our Tae kwondo wtf test
Kata aren't from taekwondo
The system I taught was a combination of the best working parts of several arts to work in the streets, I worked with combat and self defense, the difference being that combat leans more to killing and self defense is minimal use of force to be able to get away. Both of these have training and skill levels that require a lot of time and work but doesn’t get you trophies or ribbons at a tournament.
My first black belt test was many hours long and I was before a panel of 11 judges or senior high ranking black belts in the arts. The sparring was full contact and everything was done with full power and precision. My sparring match got so heated three judges had to break us up. But we earned our ranks on that day
Earning a black belt is relative. There is no general consensus or governing body which means it is different for each school.
Thanks for uploading this video. I've been considering taking up a martial art for health reasons, but I been hearing about these so called Mc Dojos and it makes me think twice about it wondering if I'm gonna be getting my monies worth and will this all be for nothing, etc. If you could (or if you haven't yet) you should make a video about how to spot a bad dojo/martial arts instructor and other red flags to spot so others who are looking to get into this stuff can be better prepared to spot warning signs
I did a similar video on how to spot a McDojo. Maybe this will help? th-cam.com/video/5K_6IiVwvzo/w-d-xo.html
Yes this is helpful :) Also prior to this, I did some research and I also came across this too and it further also helped be more alert and making sure to spot any red flags www.quora.com/What-are-signs-that-a-martial-arts-studio-is-a-good-one
My last belt test was just over 12 hours long, spread out over 4 sessions. 3 hours of basics in one session. 3 hours of self-defense techniques. 3 hours of forms. Then a 3 hour exam which included everything before and spontaneous defense, you stay put while every person in line tries to punch, kick, lock/hold or tackle you in whichever way they like and you don't know which until they go. Everybody got cracked. Everybody was beat up and exhausted. Kind of like walking the gauntlet. Then a welcome kick in the belly to signal that I passed. A pair of dudes behind me to catch me but I leaned into it and caught all of the kick because I thought it was shameful to be caught/helped in that way. I loved every minute. Except getting my eardrum laced with a flat palm to the ear. That was painful. Rung my bell pretty good too.
Too reach black belt at my school is 4 years my school is a tae kwon do school
I just had my black belt test today.
Yeah?? How did it go?
@@ArtofOneDojo I felt great on the physical stuff. The written portion had me worried. Thankfully, I knew most of the terms. Don't ask me about the essay lol.
@@ArtofOneDojo Update. I passed with the highest overall score. I was awarded Shodan last month.
@@multimeter2859 AWESOME! Congratulations my friend on the heard earned achievement!
In my system we did kata, one step sparring, and five rounds of free sparring for shodan rank. The kata consisted of any three of the five Heian kata at the instructor's choosing, plus whichever advanced kata a particular student had chosen. We were all taught Bassai Dai, Kwanku and Enpi at brown belt but each student had to specialize in one and that was the one you had to test with. The free sparring was five two minute rounds, back to back, against each of the assistant instructors. I failed my first test. A year later I tested again and got it.
But you know what I like here...is that you went back and tested again. SO MANY people would have quit after not passing the first time but you didn't, and that's a huge character strength right there :)
Thank you. It was definitely a learning experience. I'll never forget this. My instructor took me to the side the night I was promoted to Shodan. He told me I was technically good enough to advance when I tested previously, but he failed me before because he thought I just didn't believe in myself enough. I learned so much from that. That's always stuck with me after thirty plus years.
Then that was definitely part of the test. He was testing your resolve to see if you'd come back, and you did :)
Pretty much all of my exams were in the daily classroom. We were graded every class and were given permission to promote whenever we were ready. This was solely based on the individual and there often was no set 'test'. It was when the individual was ready based on their merit. If they were never ready, then they were never promoted, regardless of what belt they were testing for.
Our classes involved a lot of technique and some reasonable cardio and movement exercises. However, the knowledge of the material was most important.
I test my students very similarly today. You will earn your belt or you will never get it, regardless of what rank it is. I added an additional element into it though, and that was building leaders, especially if they are going to be a black belt. I demand someone that has good leadership qualities and can that can teach. The whole idea of a black belt is that you have achieved something, but more importantly, it is the ability to proliferate. A black belt is an entry into the teaching realm where you can take on students and proliferate the art that you dedicated yourself to. You can teach others, and through teaching others, you will hopefully make strong, moral, and knowledgeable leaders.
I also incorporate physical abilities as far as cardio and other exercises, mostly through calisthenics, with a minor emphasis on running. It doesn't matter what you know or how proficient you are if you don't have the gas in the tank to complete the mission. It is also a good way to push someone to what they think their breaking point is. I want to see the 'failure is not an option' mindset.
Our BB test in Chung Do Kwan has 2 parts. A pre-test program where the Regional Master would go to our area and do a 4 hour class, ending with board breaking. Then we would go to our regional HQ and do part 2 which is belt forms ( in my case, all the forms from white belt to 2nd degree in random order), 3 step defense forms, 2 or 3 person sparring. I’m always nervous!
I was training for about 8 or 9 years. We went to Kangeiko (morning training) where we trained every morning at 6:00 am from Monday to Saturday. Saturday was always a special training session.
One year, on Friday, after training, I was told that I was testing for the black belt. No time to prepare, not time to be nervous. And I was still tired from the training. I did the usual punching, kicking, and Katas (more than usual). Then I was thrown into the ring - with a 3rd degree and a 4th degree BB. They got to rest. I didn’t. They switched back and forth, tag-teaming on me. I don’t even remember how long it was. I don’t think I actually knew. I just know I could barely stand up when Sensei said I was done.
I said that Saturday was usually a special session? Yup. That’s when the Sensei announced to the class that I had earned my 1st Dan. I was moved and felt humbled by my graduation. I actually didn’t believe that I deserved it at the time, mostly by my performance with the 2 black belt opponents. Today (6-7 years later), I feel I have both the skills and ability to pass on my training to others, and to live up to the honour of being presented with a black belt.
1st degree Kenpo brown belt, hope to test for black in the next year (training for 9 yrs).
Awesome!
Hello Sensei Dan, as always greetings from Melbourne, Australia 🇦🇺 Osu! I cannot thank you enough, for shedding light and wisdom, to the general public, as to what might constitute to test, successfully pass and become a qualified black belt.
For us in our Kyokushin Karate system, our gradings are as you mentioned in some schools, twice a year. For us it takes place at our Winter camps here in Australia, around April or early May, then also at our Summer camp in September. Our seasons differ from the rest of the world, hence why I specified the months of the year, according to our seasons here in Australia, as well as our neighbouring country, New Zealand.
That aside our gradings for our black belt levels, last six to seven hours, throughout the main component of the grading day. We commence with a four kilometre run along the beach. Then we do our basics and other curriculum techniques, all lasting from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM or so. Then after breakfast the main theoretical part of the grading session, prior to lunch lasts again two hours. Once again commencing with basics, then theoretical techniques such as what we call moving up and down techniques, where we all get tested to see that we know our syllabus techniques, according to our rank.
What usually happens is that we start from the lowest level, being the white belt, working our way through the various other belt ranks, orange, blue, yellow, green, brown and finally black. At each level of the test completed, students sit down and continue to watch the more advanced of us, up until us the black belts, being literally the last ones standing. Once the basics and the required techniques have been tested, we all sit down and our master calls students in groups, in accordance to their level, to perform their katas (forms). So once again the white belts commence, followed by the next levels, all the way up to the candidates testing for the various black belt levels or dans.
Once they finish their katas, then they perform what we called sanbon kumite (three step fighting), which tests the students's abilities to react to attacks, be it strikes or grabs, with either striking as well as subduing the other party, in a controlled and safe manner. Pretty much this is our self defence segment test. Then they sit down and as previously mentioned, my master tests everyone on kata, self defence and fighting techniques, they sit down and watch everyone else after them, including the black belts.
At the end of that segment we finish with fifty push ups, fifty set-ups, fifty leg squats with front and roundhouse kicks.
After lunch we go jogging yet again, along the beach for four kilometres. Then we do exercises such as bunny hops, wheelbarrow waking on our knuckles, while the other person holds our feet up in the air, at their waste level as we walk on our fists. Then we have do duck walks, sprint races against a partner, running backwards against a partner. Then we do all of our basics again, lining up along the beach in the water, waste level.
After that we do some combat and self defence drills, such as throws, leg sweeps, restraints, punching and kicking, combat combinations with a partner. After that the true gruelling part of the grading commences. The kumite (fighting)!
With only a mouth guard and a groin protector for us males, while women also have a mouth guard and a chest protector. No gloves and no shin pads. Full contact sparring commences, each round lasting a minute and a half.
The number of fights for students, is determined according to the rank. So white belts will do either eight fights maximum, then sit down and watch the rest. The black belt levels' fights are as follows. First dan testing candidates, need to do 40 fights, each fight consisting of a one minute and a half round. We swap opponents each round.
From fight number 20, fresh and new fighters from brown belt and above commence to step in, to test everyone still fighting from that point and beyond. Second dan black belt candidates do 20 fights. Third dan black belt candidates should have done once again 20 fights. Nevertheless this year my master had the first dan black belt student, the second dan black belt student, as well as my other two friends and myself, attempting to grade for our third dan black belts (Sensei) teacher ranks, all of us do forty fights again.
By the end we were battered, exhausted and bruised. However it did not conclude, until we all did fifty push ups, fifty set-ups, fifty burpees (push-up, set-up and jumping onto one's feet, up in the air, bringing one's knees to their chest). Then finally to conclude the stamina session from hell, again leg squats with front kicks and roundhouse kicks as we would rise up from our leg squats. That concludes the core part of the grading. All together 7 hours or so throughout that day.
The next day once again, all of us extremely sore, jogging along the beach for the four kilometres run along the beach, the basics for one hour or so, then we do some warm up pushing exercises, then have fun all gathering around a big circle, two people taking turns at the sumo challenge. After the sumo challenge has determined a winner, we line up along the beach in teams of five and we do tag relay races. Where one has to lay flat on the sand start rolling down towards the water, along the sand. Then get up, race back and tag the next person in line. Again although being fun and a little bit competitive, tough and physically taxing none the less.
The last segment of the camp, is about bo techniques, such as strikes, blocks, take downs, restraints and so forth. Then again all black belt candidates of the various dan levels grading, need to perform the bo katas, while all the other lower rank students watch.
Once again we finish the last segment of the grading camp, with fifty knuckle push-ups, fifty set-ups, fifty crunches, fifty jack knives (combined sit-up with a stomach crunch), then the squat front kick, roundhouse kick drill, again fifty times.
To conclude Sensei Dan, my first black belt dan grading I was extremely nervous, made a few mistakes, but was able to correct them. Our biggest enemy and harshest critical often, is our selves and our mindset. For my second and third dan gradings, I was more relaxed, calm, focused and collected. Given that having been there before, I already had the experience and knowledge of what to expect, as well as how to perform, prepare and pace myself.
Definitely as you said, one needs to know and practice their material throughly. Being confident yet humble in one's abilities is the key. Ultimately as you said, a master will not ask you to attempt a grading, if you are not ready to grade successfully. The first dan black belt for us takes four years, the second dan two years after that, then the third dan black belt, four years thereafter. Excellent video as always. Looking forward to your next topic. May God bless you and your loved ones as always Sensei Dan, Osu! 👍 ☺ ✌
I am extremely impressed and humbled by your testing. Kyokushin is an intense art, and what you just described is incredibly hardcore and really shows the warrior spirit. I have a lot of people asking me to do a Kyokushin video, and I would want to do it correctly. Do you have any good recommendations for resources on the background and development of the art?
Excellent combination of testing standards, I would be proud of those training accomplishments. Great job 😊👍
William W thank you greatly appreciated! We can all achieve greatness, all we need is to be shown the path and given the guidance, along our journey to attaining wisdom, Osu!
Art of One Dojo Sensei Dan how are you? Thank you for your kind words. I myself admire your art of Kenpo Karate, as it is also an intense, practical, honourable and no nonsense art. As I said I first encountered it in Jeff Speakman's film The Perfect Weapon. Then in martial arts magazines in the 1990s and the odd martial arts documentary, here and there.
I have an idea would you be ok to exchanging email addresses? If so I could email you Kyokushin Karate information, for your research. You could also email Shihan Cameron Quinn, of our very own Queensland, Australia 🇦🇺. He is a world renowned Kyokushin Karate master and authority. Like you he also trains in Jiu-jitsu in addition to training and teaching Kyokushin Karate at his own school and also doing seminars world wide.
He can be contacted directly through email or on his Facebook page. Let me look up his contact details and I will pass them onto you. He recently did a TH-cam interview with some Kyokushin Karate gentleman from Canada, interviewing various Kyokushin Karate, prominent figures around the world.
Shihan Cameron Quinn, lived and trained in Japan himself, under the founder of our system, Sosai Oyama Masutatsu. In addition to that he was his personal interpreter for years, also has written the most concise and best written book about Kyokushin Karate, in the English language. It is called The Budo Karate of Mas Oyama. I myself was fortunate to be able to get a copy of the book myself, as it is now out of print.
If I am not mistaken you are from New York right? From what I recall Michael Jai White, who portrayed Spawn in the 1990s live action film, is a Kyokushin Karate second dan black belt, besides the other styles that he has learned. His Kyokushin Karate master is also from New York if I am not mistaken. If not far from you, perhaps he would be great to interview and arrange a session for your Kyokushin Karate video segment for your TH-cam channel.
Canadian and former UFC Welterweight champion, Georges St. Pierre is a Kyokushin Karate third dan black belt, in addition to his other martial arts training. Also Bas Rutten a former kickboxing and MMA, UFC heavyweight world champion, is also a Kyokushin Karate black belt fifth Dan. Please let me know how best to get in touch with you and I will help you obtain as much of the Kyokushin Karate information as you need. Wishing you the very best as always. Thank you for taking the time to read and respond to all of our comments, on your channel, Osu 🙏.
Absolutely, and this information sounds amazing. You can reach me at F2B@f2bpro.com and we can exchange more information there. That's amazing that Shihan Quinn trained under the founder himself, I definitely wanted to talk about him in the video of course.
I'm actually in South Florida so New York would be a bit of a trip at this point but perhaps in the future. I would love to take a look at the information and very similar to the Taekwondo video, it will be an overview and a respectful introduction to the art just because of the massive amount of information.
I'm looking forward to this one, I get so many requests from people almost on a daily basis asking for a Kyokushin video and I would love to learn more about it myself.
Thank you so much for your support and your generous assistance with this project and this channel :)
8 hours for me. My Bujinkan group drilled a lady and I on all the techniques, kamae, weapons, rolling, break falls etc... We started with the army basic phy fitness test to tire us out. And finished it with a full contact randori against 4 different people. The first three wore pads and the 4th, my instructor, did not wear pads. I will never forget that day.
That's awesome actually. A lot of Bujinkan schools don't spar but I'm really glad to hear that yours does and did so as part of test. Congratulations on the hard work and achievement :)
@@ArtofOneDojo oh this was back in 2007. Haven't trained since about 2013. The idea behind the shodan test at the time was to tire you out to make sure you relied on technique, not strength and speed. The randori at the end, well we were not allowed to block or fight back, we had to move. After 8 hours that final two minutes was to show that we could move out of harm's way and be ok when someone was going full out at us.
I got my lip split badly, so I also have a visual reminder to always move.
Thank you btw.
Our black belt test takes place during our yearly camp, the test starts right after the 3rd workout ( 8pm) new shodons start, than the rest of the shodons, break, nidans, sandans, sleep, the rest of the black belts. Fighting the black belts in the afternoon and get promoted at the Shiai that night 😊
"A Black Belt is more than something you wear, more than something you earn. A Black Belt is something you become." one of my favorite sayings. altho, i don't remember who this originally came from, still powerful to the dedicated martial artists of the world. unfortunately, i don't have a Black Belt story. life always has a way of preventing that, but becoming a Black Belt has been a dream of mine since i was a tiny little guy. i've watched a few videos tonight of people getting promoted and the emotion i feel from it is pretty intense, so i can only imagine the intensity of being one of those who become a Black Belt. that said, i just want to say, to all you Black Belts out there that work your arse off for it, congratz!!!
Im training Shotokan-Karate (alltough its actually Style-Open) in the WKF in Germany.
My Blackbelt-Test happend 9 Years after i started.
Time it takes until the Test:
Since Karate has the classical 10 Kyu/10 Dan system it normaly takes 5-7 years, however i started very young so it took longer.
What is the Test?
The Test itself took about 30 Minutes.
Kihon (10 combinations)
Kata (1 Heain+ 2 of Kanku Dai/Jion/Bassai Dai/Enpi/Hangetsu (normaly one chosen by you and one by the examinator).
Then either Jiyu-Kumite (Free Sparing) or Self defence (of course not that free since due to the more brutal technics and the nervousity there is high risk of injury)
Also it could be both.
Where is the Test?
The test has to be held by at least two licensed examinators. To be licensed for these tests the instructor has to hold at least 5. Dan in the style.
Its held in bigger dojos most of the time where people from many different places can gather and do the test. Often there is also training with that instructor in the weeks prior to the test.
Further there is seminars most of the time that kind of give you an idea what the instructor wants to see and what the no-gos are.
Personal Oppinion:
I think that type of test is perfectly fine. I don't see the point of doing test that go multiple hours or even days. Thats just the quantitiy of the test. The truly important part to me (and most examinators here) is the quality.
Doing a Kata after 100 push-ups just worsens the kata that you practised so hard and doing kumite while gasped just increases risk of injury.
That is why i think these tests are perfectly fine as they are here
(and i get a higher heart rate from doing one Kanku Dai than from running half an hour so there is that).
Thats just my oppinion though
If you made it here thanks for reading and sorry for the spelling as i am not native:/
My 2nd Dan grading is broken up into 2 black belt sessions which last 3 hours and if you progress you go forward to grade. The grading it's self is 3 hours so in total it's 9 hours. The Dan grading goes by the dan grade for example 1st dan to 2nd is 1 years training and 2nd Dan to 3rd Dan is 2 years training. This is for ITF tae kwon do
Almost cried watching jim Carey as a karate instructor in living color!
My BJJ school doesn't really have a formal "test", but usually the instructor will roll a round with you, or the head instructor likes to do this thing called a "mystery match" where he pairs up two random students at the end of class and has them do a 10 minute round, this also acts as a test.