Does a Black Belt make you an Expert?

Ever since martial arts become popular amongst the public during the era of Bruce Lee movies, there have always been those who see the black belt as the most single greatest achievement to obtain whilst training. Training hard in a particular style, as soon as they get there Dan grade (black belt level) they feel as if they can be considered masters in there chosen art and are eligible to stop training , thinking they will always be able to defend themselves. HOW WRONG THEY ARE!

Whilst wearing a black belt may look good, it means very little. A martial artist is never determined through the colour of a belt. I believe that gaining a black belt shows that you have understood (not mastered) the basics required for you to start your actual martial arts training, meaning that you have learnt how to do a wide range of techniques, but now you have to be able to apply them in situations where aggression, resistance and little control is applied. This will take years and years to be able to do and anyone who thinks that they will become a master of it within a couple of years is kidding themselves.

Then there are those black belts who stick only to themselves. Black belts must train with other black belts. They can’t be seen sparring with other belts. To me, that shows fear. Fear of maybe getting hit or getting submitted by someone who is not a black belt. A black belt can learn plenty from sparring with lower belts, even beginners. (Click here for more information on that).

The bottom line is that a belt is just a belt. White, black, green or blue, it merely shows that you have passed a few exams, but does not make you great martial artist. Training should not stop when you get to black belt level, but should be bumped up, and each technique should be thought about diligently, about the best and most practical ways it can be applied.

Marks

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