tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post7356882051344164251..comments2023-10-22T16:13:55.130+01:00Comments on My journey to black belt: The black belt grading - 'an observer's view'Sue Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16008609198511182782noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-64298063505180210392015-02-20T02:14:22.444+00:002015-02-20T02:14:22.444+00:00is it basically learning how to accurately kick a ...is it basically learning how to accurately kick a guy in the testicles with enough force that he is helpless with agony?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-52627903016152614322010-12-18T14:27:45.102+00:002010-12-18T14:27:45.102+00:00Okay Matt, you're forgiven, as it's Christ...Okay Matt, you're forgiven, as it's Christmas and all that.....:-)Sue Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008609198511182782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-91427558283989863312010-12-18T14:02:25.376+00:002010-12-18T14:02:25.376+00:00Of course you are a young pup in comparison to me,...Of course you are a young pup in comparison to me, Sue. Older than the girls is what I meant. Am I in the doghouse or what? Better not dig myself in deeper.....SenseiMattKleinhttp://karate-kids.com.aunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-83875494580660195142010-12-10T16:20:42.866+00:002010-12-10T16:20:42.866+00:00Hi Matt, I think the girls appreciated having some...Hi Matt, I think the girls appreciated having someone there to give a bit of support and encouragement, it was quite an event for them. In fact we haven't seen any of them back in the dojo yet so they must still be recovering! I think the very bad weather we've had recently might explain their absence as well. <br /><br />As for 'older lady', mmmmmm......Sue Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008609198511182782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-73201506102742874992010-12-09T14:30:19.024+00:002010-12-09T14:30:19.024+00:00What a great thing you did Sue, to help Charlotte ...What a great thing you did Sue, to help Charlotte and the other girls through their tests. The calm, stabilizing influence of an older lady during this nerve wracking time can be a real life safer. <br /><br />I 'll never forget my cornerman talking me through the tough rounds, and I can still hear the crowd cheering me on. Such great support in your dojo. Well done girls.SenseiMattKleinhttp://karate-kids.com.aunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-13061143427250707902010-12-03T16:26:06.318+00:002010-12-03T16:26:06.318+00:00Journeyman, 2am! That would definitely see me at m...Journeyman, 2am! That would definitely see me at my worst.LOL. But there is something to be said for expecting the unexpected. When my husband did his black belt in jujitsu he was given 2 ukes he'd never seen before (both senior dan grades) and expected to just get on with it - he found that quite tough but he survived and passed.Sue Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008609198511182782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-80207937968260132682010-12-02T23:29:30.525+00:002010-12-02T23:29:30.525+00:00Hi Sue.
A big congratulations to the girls!
Our...Hi Sue.<br /><br />A big congratulations to the girls! <br /><br />Our dan gradings are also not open to view and over the history of the dojo, many different things have taken place. The curriculum and syllabus are always trained, but tests have involved a variety of different aspects. The grapevine only talks about so much, but some first dan gradings have even been unexpectedly re-scheduled at the last minute to start at 2 am in the morning. Some have lasted over 8 hours. The founder of our style likes to test us at our best and at our worst. <br /><br />Some will disagree with this approach, but no black belts in our style has complained.<br /><br />As an aside, thanks for the comments on my principles vs. specific techniques post. I enjoyed your blog post on the flinch response. Lots of interesting thoughts and information.<br /><br />Cheers.Journeymanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00146093025259375890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-25879722127729095952010-12-02T16:29:49.488+00:002010-12-02T16:29:49.488+00:00Ahhhhh, enlightenment, makes sense SueC Thanks!Ahhhhh, enlightenment, makes sense SueC Thanks!Charles Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13812618556413423872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-32616032926411670562010-12-02T14:47:18.466+00:002010-12-02T14:47:18.466+00:00Felicia, thanks - the girls did great - I have the...Felicia, thanks - the girls did great - I have the bruises to show for it!<br /><br />Charles, thank you and yes I think the girls knew what was being required of them - doing techniques strongly and showing intent are things we discuss in the dojo. They were given every opportunity to show what they could do. I think it was a tough but fair test.<br /><br />Charles and Etali, I realise that the 'secrecy' of our black belt testing comes as a bit of a surprise to some but I think the main reason is to remove all sources of distraction for the testing candidates. For all our kyu gradings parents can stay and watch, just not for the dan gradings. However there are no surprises during the grading - only the syllabus is tested on and nothing else and all the students will have been working on this for months. The only exception is that one combination is set on the day but the candidates have time to practice this at the back of the hall first. My overall impression of the grading is that it is very similiar in the way it is conducted to the higher kyu gradings except there are 15 sections instead of 10. The best way to get a sneak preview of the dan grading is to do what I did and offer yourself as a partner for someone that is grading - helping others helps you to help yourself!Sue Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008609198511182782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-63993484268005033822010-12-02T10:53:23.872+00:002010-12-02T10:53:23.872+00:00Have they explained why those not testing can'...Have they explained why those not testing can't watch? Is it to keep the black belt grading contents a surprise? To ensure that people don't distract those taking the test?<br /><br />At my dojo, people are allowed to watch, but there are a few issues with parents talking too loud, etc. sometimes.<br /><br />Congratulations to all those who passed!Etalihttp://www.geeks-in-gis.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-20996745010990315092010-12-01T20:51:11.562+00:002010-12-01T20:51:11.562+00:00Hi, SueC: questions:
"In our system no one i...Hi, SueC: questions:<br /><br />"In our system no one is allowed to observe the dan gradings unless they are directly involved." - shame, perfect opportunity to learn for all grades regardless.<br /><br />"'Do it stronger', ' look like you mean it'," - what I would like to know is this, have the Sensei every fully explained what they mean when they say these two phrases?Charles Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13812618556413423872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-31549763765700732662010-12-01T20:45:02.540+00:002010-12-01T20:45:02.540+00:00Hi, SueC: Congratulations to your dojo mates on th...Hi, SueC: Congratulations to your dojo mates on their recent promotion. <br /><br />A saying for Sho-dan: "You have earned your wings, welcome to the sky!"<br /><br />Welcome to all your dojo mates to that huge, blue, sky we call the "Way!"Charles Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13812618556413423872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-27787406005204122702010-12-01T15:05:16.072+00:002010-12-01T15:05:16.072+00:00Whoo-Hoo! Applause, applause :-)Whoo-Hoo! Applause, applause :-)Feliciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09017194727231120284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-85719610249443356142010-12-01T14:49:49.242+00:002010-12-01T14:49:49.242+00:00Hi Marie, We have a few teenagers like that too bu...Hi Marie, We have a few teenagers like that too but these girls really rose to the occassion - I'm proud of them. It will probably be my turn next May/June time - at least I'll know what to expect!Sue Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008609198511182782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-49545380422697473312010-12-01T11:43:18.413+00:002010-12-01T11:43:18.413+00:00Well done to all the girls! It's nice to see s...Well done to all the girls! It's nice to see some teenagers with some spirit and commitment! Alas, I fear they're few and far between these days. I look at some of the teenage students in our classes and wonder why they're even there sometimes.<br /><br />Well done to you too - clearly you made good on your grading partner role. Won't be long till it's your turn!!<br /><br />xMx.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03272574764983174076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-64640583896848233452010-12-01T11:17:18.329+00:002010-12-01T11:17:18.329+00:00Thanks Sandman.Thanks Sandman.Sue Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008609198511182782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7361443425638782419.post-33525611689792180802010-12-01T00:11:47.844+00:002010-12-01T00:11:47.844+00:00That's great! Well done to all your grading ca...That's great! Well done to all your grading candidates! :-)sandmanhttp://www.sandmantraining.comnoreply@blogger.com