One of my favorite quotes, but I dont remember where I got it: "Dont practice till you get it right. Practice until you cant get it wrong."

It took me 30 years to get my black belt in Kyokushin. I did have a ten year break though. I went back with my son and we got our black belts together. It was a long day and very stressful. I lost count of the times I thought I had nothing left. I got there in the end and what an amazing feeling.

I’ve been training for 8 years and I test tomorrow. It’s 7 1/2 hours long! 😬

I got my first BB at 23. When I was promoted to black belt, I showed up for class one day, and my teacher just said that today you will test for black belt. After demonstrating my skills and knowledge of all the techniques I had learned, I was told to go for a run outside and when I was ready, to come back and talk to the class about what the martial arts meant to me. This was in the dead of the frigid Midwestern winter, and the streets were covered with snow and ice. I ran barefoot and didn’t feel a thing! Returning to the dojo, I gave my presentation. At that point, in a moment I will never forget, my instructor took off the belt he was wearing and tied it around my waist! I’ve received four more promotions since then, but I wore that same well-worn belt to train today.

That's why I bought mine on amazon

My karate black belt test was awesome... it took me like 3 hours but it was worth. It took me 5 years of training it. As the video says, physical training is key

My adult Black Belt test concluded an 8 year full time curriculum. It was 16 hours total across 5 days. 2 hrs. on Mon night, 2 hrs. on Tues night, 2hrs. on Wed night, 2 hrs. on Thurs night, Off Fri night and 8 hours on Sat. from 8 AM to about 4 PM or upon conclusion, with brief 5 min breaks peppering across the day, typically between sections of subjects, and 1/2 hour lunch break (although it was advised to re-hydrate and rest only). Observing judges participating in eating, while you alone did not, was meant to challenge further self discipline. Testing was performed in front of a seated panel of all previous Black Belts in this Art available to judge and grade. I had 7 judges, with the Grandmaster at the center, and with unanimous agreement of test passage prior to presenting the Rank. Testing consisted of Karate, Judo, Jujitsu, Kobudo, Arnis, and Self Defense against a full power attacker. This was the hardest test I ever took in my life. To receive this Rank in my school, made me feel like I was experiencing being re-born into the Martial Arts. We have no such thing as a Jr. Black Belt Division. Our program is so lengthy, that even a child will be nearly an adult when ready to test for our Black Belt. I honor and thank my school, by continuing to teach, and train for my next ranks. Currently, I am 2nd Dan. No family, nor any outsiders, were permitted to witness this testing. Pre-selected live Uke, were permitted to observe, as they would be participating in the self defense portion, and would be invited in at the appropriate time only. Photo and Video were taken at the conclusion during the awarding only.

When I received my blackbelt I was told now that you've mastered the basics it time to learn!

4 years, it took me 4 years to get to brown belt. I've been training for 6yrs and now I'm learning new styles and I'm a white belt again.

We do twice a year and everyone past green must attend so when it’s time for black belt we’ve already have experienced it for 2+ years.

Another great video Mr Dan. I never new that black belt tests had so much to them.

I was in a unique situation that led to my test being a live-in student for a summer that culminated in me teaching the application of a particular high level kata at a weekend seminar. The night I was leaving to go back to living at my own house while I was packing my stuff, my Sensei walked up to me said some things I won’t repeat here and presented me with black belt. No formalities or any of the normal testing stuff. Just some questions, words of wisdom, a bow and then my belt. I will never forget it. It’s not the piece of cloth. It’s the color. It was being told that I was ready to really begin.

My last Black Belt test was broken in 2 parts. The first was a Black Belt Pre Test that lasted 5 1/2 hours and then the regular test that lasted 3 1/2 hours. Both were great experiences. Many hate on the Kenpo in my art but I wouldn’t where I’m at today without it. Now I’m getting ready to test for my 2nd degree and getting prepared for it has been nothing but great. Anyways great job Mr. Dan. You really know how to create great Martial Arts videos. =] Keep up the good work.

As a man with 2 junior black belts and an adult black belt with Kempo as one style, I can attest that all this information is true! Consisted of about 300 pushups, 400 squats, 2+ miles running, teamwork exercises, demonstrations of basics, etc, with, of course, demonstration of material all in the course of 6 hours.

Late to the party on this one. Perfect list. The only thing I would add? The night before your test, do something relaxing. I stayed at home and chilled with my dogs and my wife.

When I was getting my black belt, we had to attend additional classes (black belt preparation) on top of the regularly scheduled classes for six months before the black belt test itself. They were twice as long as the normal classes. They were to insure that we were in good enough shape to get through the test and to make sure we were prepared for each part. We also had to learn few new things such as sparring with two opponents and breaking cinder blocks. The two-opponent sparring was for first degree black belt. Second degree involved four-opponent sparring. Come to think of it, if the number of opponents double with each degree, by 10th degree, you'd have 1024 sparring partners. It would be like fighting the Agent Smiths in The Matrix Reloaded :)

A black belt is a white belt that never gave up

I studied Muay Thai. Alot of my friends studied different styles. Some made it to Brown belt in their style while a few made it to black. Your videos and advice are great! Keep up the great work!

Remember my 4th dan test sparing was rough

Master Dan, I just want to thank you for all your advice and tips in your black belt videos as well as the advise you gave me on a comment I left you awhile back. Today I am testing for my black belt after 13 years.

It took me...decades...so far. I have always been of the mindset that I must earn the quality of my ranks every time I train, and/or teach. Complacency is a killer in the martial way, so I just try to train the best I can for the rest of my life.

I got mine in Kenpo. It took 4 yrs, lots of hard work and dedication but it was on my bucket list. Loved the test and getting it was the best feeling of my life!!!!!!!

My black belt test was 6 weeks long. 5 two hour tests then the last test was 7.5 hours. I wish they still did that, i want all my tests to be that rewarding

I never took a test. After proudly surprising him with my own kata that I had developed in secret, my teacher, with great satisfaction, told me I had learned everything he could teach me, as well as I could learn it. He said I could call myself a black belt, if I wanted and gave his blessing to pass on what he taught me. I was trained with a neighborhood friend, by my nextdoor neighbor, outside the curriculum of his school.

Thank you for all of your informative videos! I am just getting back into it, I used to be a yellow belt in E.P. American Kenpo. I plan to continue my training till the end this time. I don't know why I ever stopped tbh

Nice explanation. I really liked the part of adaption, which I totally agree with!

My shodan black test in Karate took place over several days probably over ten hours total about four hours on the final test day. Three mile run in under 30 minutes, 100 push ups, sit ups, leg raises, kicks and hand techniques. Forms empty hand and weapons, basics, bunkai, Q&A and finally over two hours of sparring. About five years total training.

Thank you for this video. It is great to hear martial artists speak with respect about earning their Black Belt. I suspect those who talk as if Black belts are a dime a dozen are the ones who would do anything imaginable to get one other than spend the years of sweat and repetition acquired to earn it .

Excellent presentation; good coaching. Important to note that the goal should not be to get a Black Belt. It is to be a Black Belt.

Part of my Black Belt Training included all you said, plus written assignments a year leading up to and most of all, Teaching! I had to teach classes both juniors and seniors. This was actually one of the best ways to learn and improve my Karate'. And never stop learning. This is why the Black Belt eventually fades to white again. As a symbol of starting over. Unfortunately I don't practise anymore, however I still do love teaching people some basic moves in self defence or remind people of the philosophy. One day, I may take it back up and begin my journey again.

My black belt test for kenpo is this Saturday. Crazy to think that I started this almost 5 years ago and its finally here. I am a bit nervous, and i don't "feel" ready. My instructor says thats a good thing though. It means that i know theres improvement to be made. But ive been working my butt off. One thing is for sure. I will give it everything i got. I also wanna say thank you for your videos. I started watching them at the beginning of my journey and they have helped tremendously.

Shodan in jujutsu, 6 years culminating into 4 hours. Before the test we bowed in, them warmed up/stretched. Then we did all break falls, hard techniques (punching, blocking, etc), hold escapes plus 2 variations, then sparring against two people.

Everything you just described. The rain is of emotions the physical and mental stress. Loved it, made it to Sandan in Shorin-Ryu.... 50 years old I hope I test for a few more.

Thanks for that video. I'm due my 4th Dan grading in November and I'm very nervous about it. I agree with what you said about adapting if need be, especially when it comes to the self defence. We are always told that the one step self defence techniques are not set in stone so not to worry if you step with the right instead of the left etc. just adapt to the situation. I have been with the same instructor since 2002 when the club started in my home town.

My sensei taught me in kenpo karate and shotokan. Most of the Kata were taken directly from shotokan, and the combinations from kenpo. My shodan test wasn’t as long as some people describe theirs to be. There was about an hour of cardio: push-ups, squat thrusts, sit-ups, jumping- jacks, etc. Then we did our kenpo self defense combinations, followed by throws and one steps, and we ended with sparring. Sparring was the longest portion. Between 2 hours of sparring, I sparred 6 different people. It was physically demanding and exhausting, but I felt a great sense of relief & accomplishment afterwards. This was much as you described. Your sensei knows your knowledge, respect, and capability, otherwise you wouldn’t be testing. I’m 34 now, I teach, and not once have I ever trained to break or broken a board.

I tested for my black belt in 2014. I had traveled to my style's international training camp, that year in Raleigh NC, for the test. The minute the plane left the ground, I was a ball of nerves. I had already submitted a written paper, discussing what I'd come to learn so far in the martial arts (besides punching, kicking, throwing, etc.) and had gotten a lot of positive feedback from several masters in my style. That did nothing to calm me down though. By the actual test I was nothing but nerves. We opened up with some light calisthenics for a warmup. It wasn't much, just a few punches, some push ups, a couple of drills, and I was already gassed by the end of it. We then went into board breaking. I was testing in a pretty big group, so I had enough time to recover from the warmup before I went up. My boards broke with almost no trouble. From there we went into kata. Starting with weapon forms, I completely botched the opening of one of my bo forms. We also worked with short stick forms and then went to the empty hand forms. All the while we were going up in groups of 4 or 5, so that the proctors (all 5th degrees, with one 6th degree master overseeing) could get a good look at us. To my somewhat relief, one of the kata I was expecting to test on didn't come up. It was replaced with a lower form that I still see as my favorite from the colored belt curriculum. From there we went into basics. Well over an hour of stepping and turning drills with every strike, block, or other technique represented at least once. I was so exhausted the master overseeing had to tell me to get my power back up a couple times. Interspersed through all of this were the stamina requirements, consisting of normal pushups, knuckle pushups, fingertip pushups, and one arms. I normally don't do any of the advanced pushups, but I was hopped up on so much adrenaline that I did them and barely noticed. The final primary stage of the test was the self defense demo. I had practiced the 5 minute sequence with my partners for months. A lot of things went right. A lot of things went clean. Then my girlfriend, now my wife, jumped in out of sequence! My plan went out the window. I still blocked her, still took her down, but I didn't do it in any way that I had intended. Somehow, even after everything, after feeling like I'd done horribly, after feeling like I hadn't performed anywhere near my personal standard, and after want for half the test to just give up, I still passed. It was 4 hours of hell. But in retrospect, I love every minute of it.

It took me 4 tries to earn my black belt in shotokan. After my third try, I was pissed when my sensei said that I failed, so I asked him how did I fail 3 times. That's when he told me that I was to cocky and he didn't think that I was taking my training seriously. After that, I skipped the next two tests, and began mentoring a few younger students and after a 18 months, I went back to try. again. Because I had spent time training other students, it humbled me enough to finally earn my black belt. It was the second greatest achievement I ever had. The greatest was watching one of the young students I mentored earn his black belt before me.

Mine was a VERY long time ago but I remember it like it was yesterday - TOUGH!!! Having said that, I loved every minute of it :) However, over the years I switched to different system. I assess my students on their performance over a testing period (of months), rather than using the exam method. The reason for this is that there would often be students who perform well, and consistently, in every lesson and yet for whatever reason didn't do so well during a test. Conversely, other students had been VERY average during the previous months and yet shone on the day. So, I prefer to grade them on consistent good form. In effect, every lesson is a "grading". When I am satisfied that all requirements have been met, they are presented with the grade, which is to honour their hard work. I've found that this encourages the students to train hard, always, and not just for a belt. In fact, the belt is just a nice bonus :)

my school system has a testing period for two hours every saturday eight weeks leading up to graduation. we are tested on curriculum, sparring, and our endurance, but i wish there was more of an emphasis on fitness and physical readiness, as students who fall behind in the physical component are still allowed to graduate. i hope one day to become a leader among my system of schools so i can introduce this, or to atleast tighten standards, because during my time in advanced belt testing, i watched students who were definitely ill-prepared receive their black belts. new students look to the black belts of the class to be inspired of what they can become, and although many are truly amazing in their skill, too many still lack in their basics.

It took me 3 1/2 years of hard training just to get my Brown-belt in Kyokushin! It will probably be about that long to get the Black-belt under my Shihan. He is ol'skool traditional and doesn't believe in any short-cuts!

my last 2 black belt tests. i only found out i was going a couple days beforehand. i am pretty sure i was told that i was going so that my instructor can make sure that i am most definitely ready to attempt and not have to worry if im good enough or not. not enough time for me to worry when its that weekend 😅. passed it both times and felt so much better knowing only a couple of days before than knowing for like a month where i most definitely should not have gotten my black belt. still grateful on getting it though

I remember my first black belt test was a long day indeed. We had to do exercises in the dojo, then we did every kata up to black Belt. Then we sparred many rounds about three to four. Then we will find out if we passed or not. I must of done well because I received mine. And you are right you are dead tired and excited at the same time. I think I drank an ocean that day. But I felt good! Then I moved and tried another style and again in time and a lot of blood, sweat, and tears got a second one in a different style. Took me 15 years and lots of competitions, but then life happened and now after 20+ years I am going back and yet again a new style. The Sensi said if I had trained after we started class and I said yes. Stances are a bit different from what I remember, but it is something new to try. As I was watching your video I started to remember my own tests and how tired and in pain I was but at the same time a feeling of accomplishment at the end of hours of testing. Excellent video!

Outstanding video topics sir !

My BB test was very hard, but worth it in the end. Started off with some kicking warmups, then once we started we immediately did 100 punches(which made me tired fast), then we did kicking up and down the length of our dojang, forms, hapkido, 3v1 defensive sparring, belt takedowns(for fun I think, or to see how well we were able to balance), and at the end, some instructors came out to try and push our arms down while we held them straight out horizontally for 90 seconds, it was pretty painful but surely worth it, it hurt so bad because I was extremely exhausted from all the pushups we did throughout the test, I likely did close to 200 - 250 once the test was over, maybe more if I can remember, and the pushups were in decent increments(25, even 50). After all that we did our board breaks, and that was the end. I practiced for about 8 years, but it was surely fun and worth it, especially after obtaining so much self defense knowledge, and I'm still learning more! I think the BB tests my dojang hold condense the test instead of breaking it up making it more challenging(physical challenges combined with mental ones without breaks), mine lasted around 2 hours. (This was taekwondo)

12 years of constant training to get my kyokushin blackbelt. The blackbelt grading went on for two days. Two full days of Kata and Kihon, from white to blackbelt. Finished by a strength test & a 30-man kumite. 30 2-minute rounds against mostly blackbelts trying to make me quit. Getting my blackbelt was the best day of my life, and my greatest achievement.

This video is so helpful I take my first black belt test in a month and I’ve been training for 6 1/2 years for this.

Excellent video sensei

6 years of training in a small dojo, my black belt grading is tomorrow in the head dojo. Wish me luck!

THANK YOU MASTER ...this video was very helpful :D

I just got my black belt yesterday. Have to say it was one of the most challenging things I have ever done in my life. Pulled my leg through the warm up and still pushed on, ignorance gets you through anything

in the 1980's i took karate i worked up to a yellow belt working to train for the blue belt then left unable to do a lot cause of injury's i still read and research the art's and understand a great deal more i put together my own library of books to read and research it has helped me a great deal i have gone through some of the tests lower level unfortunately injury's took over i took the test and able to pass the first time a group test

Mistakes are good. It's good for us to see how they adapt and overcome the mistake. I always tell my students nervous is good. That means you care. I get more worried about folks who aren't nervous. Like they don't understand the gravity of it.

back in the 90s i was in kempo karate as a kid and did the black belt test and i got one work for the test hell but in the end i passed thanks to the great instructor Frankenberg the best teacher ever i was disabled and he got me and was able to help me in ways no one can understand he still teaches in Colorado i would highly recommend him if you are in Colorado springs or the area around that

Excellent, very well said. When I used to study Hapkido, the first stage of every test was the interview. You'd get up in front of a table of a handful of masters in suits with something like 20 other black belts sitting on the wall and watching. Before asking you to speak for two minutes on one of several topics you were asked to prepare for, they would always begin by asking, "Please tell us your name, your age, and how long you've been studying," but then they would always ask, "Are you ready for this test?" It's amazing how well you can gauge the candidate by how they answer that last question. I've heard stories of, usually younger folks, who were not prepared to answer that question confidently failing tests. Not much more I can really add that you haven't already covered.

Our Black Belt test for 1st Dan is a 2 week long process. The first week, this is an overall observational period. It is non-intrusive for the most part where the student is being observed, their peer interactions, self discipline, attitude, training ethic and the like are all taken into account. An instructor may also randomly go to the student and ask to see any one of the previously learned techniques on the spot. The second week is MORE interactive. Through the week the students technical development is more of concern. A student may have not just a technique be required to be demonstrated at any time, but with a resisting and more aggressive opponent. Their cardio will be tested and in the last days (depending on how many are testing) they will be required to do a complete skills test, sparring and will be required to show 3 techniques of their choosing utilized in a self defense scenario they develop. Failing is a distinct possibility, but students are typically not selected for testing unless we feel they are truly ready. In the event that a student does fail they are permitted 2 free retests. Anything after that and they will be required to wait till the next testing cycle to test again, but at only a portion of the cost. They WILL NOT be permitted to test this at the next testing cycle without personal tutoring, which typically is not charged for. just more like more one on one attention from instructors. It is important that students EARN their belts from us. We do not guarantee any belts and if that discourages a potential student, then I am happy to refer them elsewhere.... I do what I do because I love it, not because I need to.

Right when my sensei told me that Nikyu and Ikkyu are pretty much stages to the dan exam, I honestly got nervous my nikyu exam was very difficult. My teachers got me for the smallest things , and kept on making it harder. At the end I thought I failed. Probably the hardest test I’ve ever taken. This video just took out all of my worries and doubts. Haha. Good job Sensei Dan. 🙏🙇🏽‍♂️

Stressing out of my mind. I have my black belt test comming this April. I don't feel ready and have a lot to work on 21 katas, 64 one steps and a boat load of self defence / ju-jitsu. It only adds to the pressure that I'll be the first one at this school testing at this level in 17 years. Your videos do help remind me to relax and train, train, train. Wish me luck.

Our BB test in Chung Do Kwan has 2 parts. A pre-test program where the Regional Master would go to our area and do a 4 hour class, ending with board breaking. Then we would go to our regional HQ and do part 2 which is belt forms ( in my case, all the forms from white belt to 2nd degree in random order), 3 step defense forms, 2 or 3 person sparring. I’m always nervous!

Thanks for uploading this video. I've been considering taking up a martial art for health reasons, but I been hearing about these so called Mc Dojos and it makes me think twice about it wondering if I'm gonna be getting my monies worth and will this all be for nothing, etc. If you could (or if you haven't yet) you should make a video about how to spot a bad dojo/martial arts instructor and other red flags to spot so others who are looking to get into this stuff can be better prepared to spot warning signs

Wow. I am showing this to my students so they knew it is not just us who are like this.

My first black belt test was many hours long and I was before a panel of 11 judges or senior high ranking black belts in the arts. The sparring was full contact and everything was done with full power and precision. My sparring match got so heated three judges had to break us up. But we earned our ranks on that day

My bb test was 3 days. One 8 hour test on the push ups, sit ups, etc. Then breaking boards and bricks, sparring. Half the day wearing your gi, the other half with street clothes. One 8 hour day of testing in the woods of basically the same thing on the first day but with running. Half day with gi, half day with street clothes. Third day was 4 hours of weapons testing. With gi and without. My sensei believed in having training with gi and street clothes, in the dojo and outside the dojo. Including training in the woods. He added survival skills as well. He believed our training should include all aspects and environments of life even in various weather conditions. He only taught 10 students at a time. It took me 20 yrs for my bb with various training methods. I'm now 50 holding a 5th bb.

I've seen people testing for Black Belt becoming nervous. When my time comes, I'll probably be nervous as well, but one thing that helps me is I am comfortable with failure. I will obviously do my best to pass, but if I fail, I'll work hard and try again. The true mark of character is not how you handle success, but how you handle setback and failure. In the dojo I trained at, even Yellow Belt had to be earned. I actually failed my Yellow Belt test the first time. It gets progressively harder. That is what makes it worth it.

I took Karate classes when I was in college the first time. about 2 years. learned a few things and earned yellow. 38 years later, I don't care about rank, I care about learning. I will always wear a white belt. My "rank" will be evident if we spar, or you watch me train, or the sharpness of my form as I perform a sword cut. Very interesting videos. Just watched the one about McDojos. Good information. Thank you.

I have a black belt in a mixed martial art of Krav Maga and American Kempo. I had 4 tests totaling over 30 hours. I had to memorize 18 forms/katas, 25 self defense techniques in the air, on the body partial contact, and then on the body full contact. I had to run a total of 2 1/2 miles, 225 pushups, and plank 6 minutes. I also had to spar 4 different instructors full contact. The test was extremely difficult. I also had to do a total of 18 hours of pad striking.

it’s worth it! I love the regular martial arts and the mixed martial arts both; I’m training in both areas. I think people should train for their safety the way the world is now a days!

The system I taught was a combination of the best working parts of several arts to work in the streets, I worked with combat and self defense, the difference being that combat leans more to killing and self defense is minimal use of force to be able to get away. Both of these have training and skill levels that require a lot of time and work but doesn’t get you trophies or ribbons at a tournament.

It took me 7 years to get to shodan. But I did have a 1.5 year break. Mine was back in 1992 and when it was sparring time I got the bash. Couldn't lift my arms above my head for 3 days. Wept continually for a week. It was the hardest thing I've ever done, and the most amazing experience toward a new beginning.

My last belt test was just over 12 hours long, spread out over 4 sessions. 3 hours of basics in one session. 3 hours of self-defense techniques. 3 hours of forms. Then a 3 hour exam which included everything before and spontaneous defense, you stay put while every person in line tries to punch, kick, lock/hold or tackle you in whichever way they like and you don't know which until they go. Everybody got cracked. Everybody was beat up and exhausted. Kind of like walking the gauntlet. Then a welcome kick in the belly to signal that I passed. A pair of dudes behind me to catch me but I leaned into it and caught all of the kick because I thought it was shameful to be caught/helped in that way. I loved every minute. Except getting my eardrum laced with a flat palm to the ear. That was painful. Rung my bell pretty good too.

Ours is done over a 16 hour period students who are testing show up at 4pm then the doors are locked they finish at 8 am the next morning. There's a physical fitness portion, sparring, weapons proficiency, kata, and an improvised kata or free kata designed by the student. The instructors know how nerve racking it is so there is also games added to relax the students for example... they throw a bunch of kick pads out on the floor, blindfold a student and they have to navigate the floor just from their teams vocal instructions. It's normally finished with a board break.

Hello Sensei Dan, as always greetings from Melbourne, Australia 🇦🇺 Osu! I cannot thank you enough, for shedding light and wisdom, to the general public, as to what might constitute to test, successfully pass and become a qualified black belt. For us in our Kyokushin Karate system, our gradings are as you mentioned in some schools, twice a year. For us it takes place at our Winter camps here in Australia, around April or early May, then also at our Summer camp in September. Our seasons differ from the rest of the world, hence why I specified the months of the year, according to our seasons here in Australia, as well as our neighbouring country, New Zealand. That aside our gradings for our black belt levels, last six to seven hours, throughout the main component of the grading day. We commence with a four kilometre run along the beach. Then we do our basics and other curriculum techniques, all lasting from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM or so. Then after breakfast the main theoretical part of the grading session, prior to lunch lasts again two hours. Once again commencing with basics, then theoretical techniques such as what we call moving up and down techniques, where we all get tested to see that we know our syllabus techniques, according to our rank. What usually happens is that we start from the lowest level, being the white belt, working our way through the various other belt ranks, orange, blue, yellow, green, brown and finally black. At each level of the test completed, students sit down and continue to watch the more advanced of us, up until us the black belts, being literally the last ones standing. Once the basics and the required techniques have been tested, we all sit down and our master calls students in groups, in accordance to their level, to perform their katas (forms). So once again the white belts commence, followed by the next levels, all the way up to the candidates testing for the various black belt levels or dans. Once they finish their katas, then they perform what we called sanbon kumite (three step fighting), which tests the students's abilities to react to attacks, be it strikes or grabs, with either striking as well as subduing the other party, in a controlled and safe manner. Pretty much this is our self defence segment test. Then they sit down and as previously mentioned, my master tests everyone on kata, self defence and fighting techniques, they sit down and watch everyone else after them, including the black belts. At the end of that segment we finish with fifty push ups, fifty set-ups, fifty leg squats with front and roundhouse kicks. After lunch we go jogging yet again, along the beach for four kilometres. Then we do exercises such as bunny hops, wheelbarrow waking on our knuckles, while the other person holds our feet up in the air, at their waste level as we walk on our fists. Then we have do duck walks, sprint races against a partner, running backwards against a partner. Then we do all of our basics again, lining up along the beach in the water, waste level. After that we do some combat and self defence drills, such as throws, leg sweeps, restraints, punching and kicking, combat combinations with a partner. After that the true gruelling part of the grading commences. The kumite (fighting)! With only a mouth guard and a groin protector for us males, while women also have a mouth guard and a chest protector. No gloves and no shin pads. Full contact sparring commences, each round lasting a minute and a half. The number of fights for students, is determined according to the rank. So white belts will do either eight fights maximum, then sit down and watch the rest. The black belt levels' fights are as follows. First dan testing candidates, need to do 40 fights, each fight consisting of a one minute and a half round. We swap opponents each round. From fight number 20, fresh and new fighters from brown belt and above commence to step in, to test everyone still fighting from that point and beyond. Second dan black belt candidates do 20 fights. Third dan black belt candidates should have done once again 20 fights. Nevertheless this year my master had the first dan black belt student, the second dan black belt student, as well as my other two friends and myself, attempting to grade for our third dan black belts (Sensei) teacher ranks, all of us do forty fights again. By the end we were battered, exhausted and bruised. However it did not conclude, until we all did fifty push ups, fifty set-ups, fifty burpees (push-up, set-up and jumping onto one's feet, up in the air, bringing one's knees to their chest). Then finally to conclude the stamina session from hell, again leg squats with front kicks and roundhouse kicks as we would rise up from our leg squats. That concludes the core part of the grading. All together 7 hours or so throughout that day. The next day once again, all of us extremely sore, jogging along the beach for the four kilometres run along the beach, the basics for one hour or so, then we do some warm up pushing exercises, then have fun all gathering around a big circle, two people taking turns at the sumo challenge. After the sumo challenge has determined a winner, we line up along the beach in teams of five and we do tag relay races. Where one has to lay flat on the sand start rolling down towards the water, along the sand. Then get up, race back and tag the next person in line. Again although being fun and a little bit competitive, tough and physically taxing none the less. The last segment of the camp, is about bo techniques, such as strikes, blocks, take downs, restraints and so forth. Then again all black belt candidates of the various dan levels grading, need to perform the bo katas, while all the other lower rank students watch. Once again we finish the last segment of the grading camp, with fifty knuckle push-ups, fifty set-ups, fifty crunches, fifty jack knives (combined sit-up with a stomach crunch), then the squat front kick, roundhouse kick drill, again fifty times. To conclude Sensei Dan, my first black belt dan grading I was extremely nervous, made a few mistakes, but was able to correct them. Our biggest enemy and harshest critical often, is our selves and our mindset. For my second and third dan gradings, I was more relaxed, calm, focused and collected. Given that having been there before, I already had the experience and knowledge of what to expect, as well as how to perform, prepare and pace myself. Definitely as you said, one needs to know and practice their material throughly. Being confident yet humble in one's abilities is the key. Ultimately as you said, a master will not ask you to attempt a grading, if you are not ready to grade successfully. The first dan black belt for us takes four years, the second dan two years after that, then the third dan black belt, four years thereafter. Excellent video as always. Looking forward to your next topic. May God bless you and your loved ones as always Sensei Dan, Osu! 👍 ☺ ✌

Very nice description of a black belt test. My black belt test was very similar. It took me 11 years to earn my first dan black belt. It would have been sooner had I not dislocated my patella or broken my third toe doing a kick. However it was worth the journey. Every test pass the brown belt was brutal. My sensei and dojo doesn't give away belts and I earned every single belt. I had to do an interview a week before the black belt test. My black belt test was taken on 2-4-20. I prepared for 2 months, doing katas and self defense every day. At night I would jump rope and do the elliptical machine 3 times a day. There was no bread, sugars or anything harmful to my body during the preparation period. No eating pass 6pm either. I stopped contact with everyone except close friends and family. I did each kata 200 times beforehand. I did each self defense 200 times on the right and left side. For the exam I had to do 13 katas. I dropped 16 lbs and was lean and ready to go during test day. The test itself was 3 hours and was 5 times worst than what I thought it would be. After the first 15 minutes of starting the exam I was gassed. Then the mental factor kicked in. Once I crossed that hurdle everything else was a blur. After the test, he then gives me a sheet asking how I felt I did in the technical area, stamina and basics. Then two weeks after that paper was turned in I had to turn in a paper using one word to describe my martial arts journey. That experience was worth it to me and I will do it all over again when working toward a 2nd dan black belt which will take another 4-5 years.

Eight hours test...but one awesome day!

I think of of the most demanding black belt testing procedures I have heard of was from a Korean style called Hwa Rang Do. My understanding is that when you test for your black belt, you have to basically retest every belt level up to it an then test the black belt material, all in the same day, what would amount to an 8 or 10 hour test. I only made it to yellow belt before the school closed but the descriptions of the black belt testing process from the instructor were just brutal.

I took my black belt test while I was in Iraq with the US Army it was a lot of fun but omg I wasn’t as ready as I thought I was. It took three days due to missions. And our teacher was a 9th dan in WTKD. He told us we train to fight we train to win. You will learn the same way I did. Which was fun. I have been in karate (shorin ryu) for years also. I just start my path in Gracie BJJ. Martial arts is a life long journey that should never be taken lightly

I am looking forward to my black belt test, but I have some time, and it will be done at Kenpo camp, mostly for the clout of having all of those signatures on my black belt cert. Another great video. You mentioned the rebreakable boards, where would we even get those, you had a link for the wavemaster on a previous video, could you do something like that for the boards to? I don't wanna go getting a crappy one.

I was training for about 8 or 9 years. We went to Kangeiko (morning training) where we trained every morning at 6:00 am from Monday to Saturday. Saturday was always a special training session. One year, on Friday, after training, I was told that I was testing for the black belt. No time to prepare, not time to be nervous. And I was still tired from the training. I did the usual punching, kicking, and Katas (more than usual). Then I was thrown into the ring - with a 3rd degree and a 4th degree BB. They got to rest. I didn’t. They switched back and forth, tag-teaming on me. I don’t even remember how long it was. I don’t think I actually knew. I just know I could barely stand up when Sensei said I was done. I said that Saturday was usually a special session? Yup. That’s when the Sensei announced to the class that I had earned my 1st Dan. I was moved and felt humbled by my graduation. I actually didn’t believe that I deserved it at the time, mostly by my performance with the 2 black belt opponents. Today (6-7 years later), I feel I have both the skills and ability to pass on my training to others, and to live up to the honour of being presented with a black belt.

My test is coming up in 4 months. Its a 16 hour test in one day. Sensei told me that before anything else, prioritize my endurance, and atleast be able to run 8-9 miles to be safe. Im very very nervous, because college is doing the exact opposite for me. Im doing my best to run every other day, but I for sure will put a lot of effort in when my semester ends. To everybody who is preparing as well, we will break through, lets do our best and show our best!

I will not elaborate on the subject of the style I've been training, but it is a well-known school and a large organization in Poland. I started fourteen years ago but for many reasons I had to stop the trainings. Today I do not even live in the city where I was training. From the beginning I had no luck to trainers. But in the end I came across someone with whom I could train all these years, but life is life and I write different scenarios. Last year I decided to return to active Karate. I found a coach who would like to accept such a 33-year-old fellow like me to his school. After a while, things started to be complicated. After all, this instructor kept saying that he did not want to train me because he was afraid that I would like to steal personal information from him or something like that. Again a strange man. I attended over 75 kilometers for these classes. Now there is no one around who would like to train me. With the rest I do not know if after all these vicissitudes I still want to. Ps. I do not have a black belt and everything indicates that I will not have anymore ...

When I did my junior black belt test back in 2014 I was very nervous just in cases I messed up a kick or something but I did not and I got the belt I am cutting trying to get my senior black belt and if all goes to plan I should be doing it next year and hopefully it all goes well.

loveee the video and to the point 👌👌👌👌👌💯💯💯💯

It took me 6 and half years to get my black belt the test was 4hours and half we did 15 min running 50 squats 100 push ups 100 sit ups -5 Lap pad kicking 6 or 7 holders Basics kick from back kicks turning kick Spinning kicks with combos ect -Then heavy shield bag work power kicks all power Then the sparring boots and gloves 18 rounds 3 min Then Olympic sparring gear 22 rounds of sparring 3 or 4 min rounds And before sparring out kata or patterns -then our one step sparring 36 moves And that was our Tae kwondo wtf test

Pretty much all of my exams were in the daily classroom. We were graded every class and were given permission to promote whenever we were ready. This was solely based on the individual and there often was no set 'test'. It was when the individual was ready based on their merit. If they were never ready, then they were never promoted, regardless of what belt they were testing for. Our classes involved a lot of technique and some reasonable cardio and movement exercises. However, the knowledge of the material was most important. I test my students very similarly today. You will earn your belt or you will never get it, regardless of what rank it is. I added an additional element into it though, and that was building leaders, especially if they are going to be a black belt. I demand someone that has good leadership qualities and can that can teach. The whole idea of a black belt is that you have achieved something, but more importantly, it is the ability to proliferate. A black belt is an entry into the teaching realm where you can take on students and proliferate the art that you dedicated yourself to. You can teach others, and through teaching others, you will hopefully make strong, moral, and knowledgeable leaders. I also incorporate physical abilities as far as cardio and other exercises, mostly through calisthenics, with a minor emphasis on running. It doesn't matter what you know or how proficient you are if you don't have the gas in the tank to complete the mission. It is also a good way to push someone to what they think their breaking point is. I want to see the 'failure is not an option' mindset.

Im training Shotokan-Karate (alltough its actually Style-Open) in the WKF in Germany. My Blackbelt-Test happend 9 Years after i started. Time it takes until the Test: Since Karate has the classical 10 Kyu/10 Dan system it normaly takes 5-7 years, however i started very young so it took longer. What is the Test? The Test itself took about 30 Minutes. Kihon (10 combinations) Kata (1 Heain+ 2 of Kanku Dai/Jion/Bassai Dai/Enpi/Hangetsu (normaly one chosen by you and one by the examinator). Then either Jiyu-Kumite (Free Sparing) or Self defence (of course not that free since due to the more brutal technics and the nervousity there is high risk of injury) Also it could be both. Where is the Test? The test has to be held by at least two licensed examinators. To be licensed for these tests the instructor has to hold at least 5. Dan in the style. Its held in bigger dojos most of the time where people from many different places can gather and do the test. Often there is also training with that instructor in the weeks prior to the test. Further there is seminars most of the time that kind of give you an idea what the instructor wants to see and what the no-gos are. Personal Oppinion: I think that type of test is perfectly fine. I don't see the point of doing test that go multiple hours or even days. Thats just the quantitiy of the test. The truly important part to me (and most examinators here) is the quality. Doing a Kata after 100 push-ups just worsens the kata that you practised so hard and doing kumite while gasped just increases risk of injury. That is why i think these tests are perfectly fine as they are here (and i get a higher heart rate from doing one Kanku Dai than from running half an hour so there is that). Thats just my oppinion though If you made it here thanks for reading and sorry for the spelling as i am not native:/

I remember my dobok [I do taekwondo, so it's called a dobok] got so dirty on the day of my test. While the other students were wearing the main black uniform, or the blue leadership program uniform, i wore my white demonstration team uniform, and since we did our hundred pushups, hundred situps, hundred jumping jacks, etc, in the rain, my uniform became incredibly dirty

A great question Mr. Dan. You covered off a lot of key elements of the pre - during and post event. I remember feeling the butterflies kicking in. However, once we started I was able to simply focus on the techniques and forms and trust in the hard work that I had put in before hand. Cardio/endurance training is extremely key I believe in any martial art, second only to technique and ability to deliver agains the criteria of the grading. In our academy, we have to do a mock grading before the actually true grading event. Holding two gradings a year (early and late in the year - 6 months apart) it gives the potential candidate an opportunity to get critical feedback before the main grading day. It is a requirement within our style, for all black belts there after - when present at a grading day. To do at least a mini mock grading at least once a year, before they proceed further up the Dan’s.

From brown belt I did 4 formal classes a week, trained at home after class, did basics at home every day before work, on the weekends done beach runs on soft sand etc. And the Black Belt test nearly killed me with the sparring but after I finished the sparring, I had one tile to do, and I finished it. I stood there dripping with sweat, every muscle aching, and I knew I gave everything that night. And if I had failed, it wasn't from lack of will power, lack of stamina etc. I had passed, I was elated. And I was told that I had set a standard that others had to reach.

My 2nd Dan grading is broken up into 2 black belt sessions which last 3 hours and if you progress you go forward to grade. The grading it's self is 3 hours so in total it's 9 hours. The Dan grading goes by the dan grade for example 1st dan to 2nd is 1 years training and 2nd Dan to 3rd Dan is 2 years training. This is for ITF tae kwon do

For my black belt test we had a pre test which was i think 2 hrs then we had the actual test in my style(Wado-ryu) we ran over many different floor techniques and ground things like sit ups push ups jumping jacks,etc we ran through all kata's from 1st basic(white belt kata) and ku shan ku and ran through kehon , would of sparred( supposedly) but due to being during covid we couldn't due to cdc guidlines but it was really hard everyone was worn out red faced one of the guys testing in my group even threw up but it was definitely worth it

I just earned my black belt yesterday. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. 3 1/2 year and I double promoted once. The test was rigorous and the katas were super nerve racking. But what an amazing feeling it is knowing all my hard work paid off. Great video!

First, I really enjoy all of your videos. They are well done and very informative. I am curious what martial art is represented with the individual bowing before a katana and certificate in the beginning of this video? Is that a picture of the presentation of their black belt? Thanks. Again, great work!

Another thought that always seems to go through my mind when talking about Black Belts and getting ranks of BB, when you get your first one, the test is a demonstration of your knowledge of the basics, like graduating from college. You just barely got started learning. The BB ranks are what did you figure out on your own. its not that someone else figured out the same thing and taught... you figured it out on your own...and it works.

I just had my black belt test today.

My 14 year old son and I have our adult black belt test in three weeks. Our dojo put together a special class it called black belt boot camp and is 2hrs. on a Friday night twice a month to help us train so we will be ready.

Shodan examination for ZNKR, and therefore AUSKF, are the same as every other exam. Whether kyu rank or dan rank the expectation is performing 5 kata with opening and closing reiho within six minutes. Any deviation is an automatic failure, as is not taking long enough. As rank improves the expectations are increased. I am currently preparing for my Sandan exam, and I get criticism about a fraction of an inch in blade placement or that the kissaki vibrated slightly on stopping it. The selection of kata is taken from the basic curriculum of 12 Seitei Kata, with yondan and up requiring two replaced with their koryu techniques. The panels also increasingly composed of higher ranked sensei, whose numbers increase as does the rank tested. The examiners are always, when possible, sensei who have not had a direct hand in your training, to eliminate bias and ensure that the student does indeed have the required skill set. Shodan is only awarded to people 16 or over, as children cannot have the mental development required for the rank. Gradings are held once a year at the national level and two to three at the regional level. The test itself is not the only time of scrunity, while waiting to test composure must be maintained as the judges will be watching the waiting students; fidgeting, poor posture, and sloppy appearance will contribute to failure. The seminar, usually two to three days at 10-12 hours a day, leading up to any examination is also time to eliminate candidates based on the above criterion as well as poor attention, lacking spirit, and performance while training. In all it can be stressful, but everyday training is to be handled as an examination and examinations as just another day's training.

"A Black Belt is more than something you wear, more than something you earn. A Black Belt is something you become." one of my favorite sayings. altho, i don't remember who this originally came from, still powerful to the dedicated martial artists of the world. unfortunately, i don't have a Black Belt story. life always has a way of preventing that, but becoming a Black Belt has been a dream of mine since i was a tiny little guy. i've watched a few videos tonight of people getting promoted and the emotion i feel from it is pretty intense, so i can only imagine the intensity of being one of those who become a Black Belt. that said, i just want to say, to all you Black Belts out there that work your arse off for it, congratz!!!

I like the fact that in the bjj system I train in, we don't do testing. You get promoted based on your skill displayed on the mats, mat time, and how you do in competition.

When getting ready to test for black belt, don't wait until you're informed to test. You're being tested every day in class, leading up to test day.

in the club that i am training in, we do have 2 black belt tests every year but the tests last a whole day (from 6 am to 9 pm with a break in between) i have my karate 2nd dan test coming up in October too and the holidays give me lots of time to train so wish me luck

Speaking of fitness, in our Kyokushin organization and yes this is Kyokushin Karate, consideration is given to those who are already in their 40s and older especially those who have medical conditions say a heart disease. And it is more than the belt, experience and prestige. For example in Kyokushin and other martial arts system, one also receives a certificate, are registered as official black belts and so on. Plus the quality of the belt is much higher compared to the kyu belts. Especially when your name is sewn.