Beltmanship: One Team, One Dream

Beltsmanship is a word that represents the attitude we have to our instructors and to our training partners in the dojo. It goes a little deeper than the black belt attitude that we have talked about previously – it is more about our behavior when learning and working with a partner. Here are some thoughts regarding this at Kaju AZ:

Knowledge of Technique: Everyone will have many opportunities to share their knowledge at Kaju AZ. No one makes it to black belt without teaching.

For a higher belt demonstrating a technique, "Teaching IS Learning." Until you have demonstrated the technique and described it, you have not really learned it. Teaching a technique you have performed many, many times will allow you to take it to the next level. Different students will ask questions that will prompt you to think about the technique in a different way. It’s possible that the technique might not work exactly the same for them as it does for you because of body style, strength, balance, and other factors. If asked a question you don’t know the answer to, be direct and research it. NEVER try to BS the student or make believe that we know the answer to everything....we don’t and BS is obvious!

For younger belts, when training with an instructor or upper belt, keep in mind that person is your instructor for that session. Follow his/her direction no matter if you think you know it better or have been taught the technique differently. Maybe you don’t know it as well as you think, or maybe your are not in sync with what they are asking of you. Not every student performs techniques the same way as the black belts or instructors, and it does not necessarily mean they are wrong.

It is very disrespectful to correct a higher belt or talk over him/her. Be patient as sometimes the higher belt is teaching a technique and is nervous, can have difficultly communicating things, or can be thinking about several other important aspects. It’s not a big deal if, for that training session, tournament technique 13 looks very, very similar to 11.

Skill: One of the key components of this area is to NEVER ASSUME! Students should not think that a younger belt should pull their punches and pretend they are less skilled than you just because they are a lower belt. Many students come with a natural ability that allows them to do some things more naturally than those that have trained for years. Do not be dismayed when a younger belt shows this skill - we should be proud and happy to see that and cheer them on in their efforts to become accomplished martial artists.

Always remember that it takes more than the physical skills to make a black belt. Everyone will learn different skills at different rates. I want my students to be better than I am – all the higher belts want that too.

For the younger belts: don’t get cocky. Just because your kick is high does not mean that you can actually use it, or know when to use it. It takes time and practice to develop the practical use of a great kick. Some of us are not blessed with a high kick, but with training, we can certainly make the kick we are blessed with work for us. A younger belt must keep in mind the other non-physical aspects that come with training and remain humble – otherwise certain lessons will never be fully understood.

Energy & Encouragement: When a student cheers you on, no matter what belt level, be thankful that they feel part of the team and have the desire for everyone to succeed. We are one team in the dojo and it is everyone’s job to encourage all students. When a younger belt shouts out advice, don’t be too proud to accept it. That student might have just heard that advise from a black belt instructor and wants to pass it along to show that they were listening and have learned it. Does it "look" bad taking advice from a lower belt? Maybe, if you think that a black belt is perfect. But a black belt is NOT perfect. The fact is, we all can use encouragement when the test is tough – and we should accept it from any source and be thankful.

Younger belts' excitement and enthusiasm adds to the energy of the dojo - and we love that! Cheering and encouragement is very much appreciated, even required, at times. Be quick to praise the efforts of all fellow students that your are working with. Be respectful in interacting with an higher belt. Know that it is not proper etiquette to correct an upper belt by blurting out that they are wrong. Make the most of your training by gaining what is being offered during that training session.

Patience: In general, all students have to control their emotions and learn to become more patient when working with other students from all levels. We should try not to expect more than they are able to give us. We should help them increase their confidence in the knowledge and skills they have in order for them to be ready to gain new ones. Everyone starts at white belt...remember that you were there once.

Kaju AZ is truly one team with one dream. Keep training hard and always be humble.

Sifu Kelly