A Ninja or Dragon candidate for black belt must help in as many grading’s as possible. The should be practising to be a black belt by doing as much training as they can fit in, this should be at least twice a week. They should never compare themselves to others as everyone has different rates of learning and different time agendas. Last but not least work on focus and confidence by not shying away from tasks that make you feel uncomfortable.
As a candidate for black belt you should be advancing your martial Arts skill at every opportunity.
There are several ways to do this. Number one; Keep training physically.
Two; Hone your skills by sharing them with others.
Three; Keep an open mind, read, watch and listen and dont be too proud to learn from others.
The button below leads to a better understanding of passing on your knowledge.
When a Ninja or Dragon –
reach the next age level, they are required to drop a full belt colour (usually to 3rd kyu brown belt.) The age colours must be worn on belts. The class hours start from when they drop back, NOT from when they graded. This is done so that the student is striving towards better goals and a greater level of karate. Shidoshi, Sensei and senior Black Belts reserve the right to grade a student outside the guidelines, if they show exceptional skill and attitude.
After 4th Kyu students have to attend and help in a grading day. They also have to miss every second grading day before the can grade. (even when they have enough class hours.)
Black Belt Attitude
One. The student must complete a further 12 months of training and improvement*. Must always lead by example, strive to be the strongest and most powerful voice in class. Must follow the rules more diligently than anyone under Black Belt, (Setting a good example for lower grades.) This applies to all groups above Tiny Tigers (excludes Tiny Tigers) Shodan Ho (probationary black belt) is regarded as the beginning of learning, even students that have been training for many years still regard themselves as students. The following should be second nature to a senior black. Lower age level black belts should strive to understand the principles of courtesy and respect.
Two. To complete the probation period, a small personal demo must be shown at one of our gradings plus ten yaksuki, and also a written essay on their journey including what they have learnt along the way. (minimum of two hundred words.) (one hundred minimum for ninjas and dragons). There are many things a new black belt has to learn, courtesy and respect must be learned and practised. The following should be second nature to a senior black. Lower age level black belts should strive to understand the principles of courtesy and respect. If a higher graded black belt sees or hears an instructor making a mistake, then it is very important not to correct that instructor in front of anyone else. This would be the height of rudeness. The correct procedure is to address the issue in private after the class is completed.
If the issue cannot be resolve, it should not be left, but referred to a higher grade as soon as possible. Any Sempai or above taking a class has the right to ask any student (even a lower level black belt) who is not adhering to these rules, to leave the mat. The problem must be addressed later but never in front of other students.