Pretty much every post seems to swing around to this topic these days... It would appear that the prevailing mood is that a blackbelt doesn't hold near enough the status it used to as they're being awarded to anyone who can wave their arms and legs in a vague approximation of a kata.

The question is, what to do about it? If you are a martial artist who has trained long and hard, what kind of awards system can be put in place to recognise such dedication? Who would dispense such a system and how would it be managed. Or, what can be done to make 'Black Belt' mean something again..?

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu blackbelts still seem to carry weight - does your style or system still have a blackbelt that is as respested by other styles? What about an award system for mixed martial arts practioners, since everyone appears to be cross-training these days?

There's a lot of food for thought. I look forward to a healthy debate...

This may sound glib, and I apologise in advance, but really, who cares??

I know the standard of my students, and I know that when grades are awarded to my students, those grades will mean something.

I know that I have produced blue/purple/ and brown belt students who are more skillfull, have more knowledge, and are better fighters than a lot of other dojo/dojang/kwoon black belt/sashes based on the training methods I employ.

I'm concerned with focusing on my students. If other schools or systems want to give belts and grades like Smarties, then C'est la vie. It's no skin off my nose.

It's like I'm always saying, Cavaet Emptor.

We had a similar discussion not long ago, where some of the issues raised by Nemo above, were touched upon.

martialartsunltd.co.uk/forum/3-martial-a...e-you-an-expert.html

The only thing belts and certificates establish is the relationship between instructor and student. The rank worn in a club is like a 'managers' badge in a shop. It's so that everyone can identify who is who in the club and who is in charge. Outside the club it's not meant to mean anything.

Here here - great comments all around and this one I think has a lot of merit but cheers to all on this topic, well put
R