Wearing a black belt shows a sign of responsibility.
It
represents the embodiment of Tae Kwon-Do's ideals. Anyone can train for three
and a half years, stay the course and pass their black belt - but are they truly
worth the grade?
Technical expertise, good kicks, great power etc. are a bonus to a student, but
alone do not make a good black belt. The practice of Tae Kwon-Do should
have a beneficial effect upon the students character and therefore his attitude
is one of the most important factors in whether he will become a good black
belt. The student who listens to what he is told, practices that which he
is shown, shows physical and mental discipline, exhibits politeness and respects
his colleagues and instructors will become the better black belt.
The wearer of the black belt and the higher coloured grades must take care with
their personal appearance, attitude and behaviour. The beginners and lower
grades will try to copy the higher grades and any sloppiness is transferred to
them.
A good attitude is more than just a vehicle for learning technique, it is a
character forming exercise in its own right. Through self discipline and
respect, the student develops a sensitivity for the needs of others and a modest
pride in his achievements.
When I first started Tae Kwon-Do, becoming a black belt did not
enter my thoughts. I had just moved to Cheltenham and I joined to get fit and make friends.
Most peoples experiences of the martial arts come from films starring Bruce Lee or Jean Claude Van Damme. They have visions of a couple
of weeks training and being able to perform spectacular jumping kicks, defeating four opponents and smashing five inches of wood.
In reality there is a long and arduous path to black belt based upon a training syllabus which introduces new techniques at regular
intervals. The student who will eventually succeed to the highest levels of self achievement is the one who is able to persevere
and show the motivation to push himself or herself through all hardships and obstacles.
We learn the five tenets of Tae Kwon-Do, courtesy; integrity; perseverance; self control and indomitable spirit from white belt, but it is
not until blue or red belt that you start to understand their meanings and the beliefs they hold for Tae Kwon-Do.
The same is true of pattern meanings - The characters from Korean history the patterns represent have dedicated and devoted themselves
to their beliefs. I have learnt from this and try to show the same application, not just to Tae Kwon-Do but to my every day life.
The favourite question people ask me is 'Can you defend yourself?'.
The answer can only be that I can defend myself better than I used to be able to.
Hopefully though, through the conditioning Tae Kwon-Do has given me I won't get into the situation of having to defend myself.
Another favourite question is 'What if I've got a baseball bat?'. This shows the person has that 'hard man' picture of Van Damme
in his head, defeating four opponents and then slipping gracefully into the splits.
Practitioners of the martial arts will realise that this is fiction and the true martial artist is the one who
is well mannered and shows respect and politeness towards others. If the black belt has this 'Van Damme picture' then the lower grade
student will also assume this and will himself not become a good black belt.
Once a black belt, training does not cease. It does not make you suddenly invincible or a master of the art.
To me it is another stepping stone of achievement and once passed a student can go on to greater
and higher things.
While a coloured belt you are learning from a black belt, who himself has learnt from a black belt and so on.
As a black belt you must still stay within the confines of Tae Kwon-Do when teaching other
students but you now have the freedom to express yourself.
The novice learns the patterns, basic moves and combinations. The right and wrong way to perform a technique are identified and the
student concentrates on getting each move correct. By passing your black belt grading you have shown that you can perform the basics
of Tae Kwon-Do. Now the learning of the art begins.
David Brown (3rd Degree Black Belt).
Please feel free to email me comments, suggestions, corrections for this web site.