Went to my first Blackbelt Training session in three years today. That sounds bad. But let me explain. Basically in 2005 I achieved my blackbelt in Taekwondo.. I went onto compete in the world champs later that year finishing in the last 16 (Not bad considering my relative inexperience).. Anyhow, to cut a three year story down to a forum post I lost interest in the 'art form' and my training became focused on learing to compete and win...

Patterns, Application, and further study of TKD became a chore. However, my instructor told me on friday that if I didnt attend Blackbelt Training today I would be unable to go for my 2nd dan in October. Ha, even this morning I was considering rolling over and going back to sleep.

But alas, I got there and I cant beleive how much the traditional elements have slipped. And boy has that been a kick up the arse.

So I have two questions really.

Firstly, anyone got any similar experiences?

Secondly, (as I know we have some very experienced MA instructors on here now) how do you spot the blackbelt blues in a student and challenge them again?

P.s the picture of the Blackbelt is not me, but I felt that he looked sufficently blue.

Ahh the plataue that is the black belt blues. It is a very serious condition that occurs to many 1st Dan students.

The first symptom is forms practice. The student's form starts to look less focused and crisp as it did earlier. - When I spot this I immediately work on methods of teaching that show the application of the form (either in self defense or free sparring). This can have a great impact in starting the drive again.

Burnout, the glow in their eye is not the same as it was during hard training. They seem down rather than pumped. The only cure for burnout is to change the workout. Focus on something else or a different method of training. Maybe my stretching becomes Yoga like, or maybe we do a lot of stimulus response drills. the reality is the same, you have to get past the mind. If the mind doesn't want to be there often you will find a way to leave.

Heh, black belt blues. Been there. Something that can help snap you out of it is to take on a new challenge to that can take you to a new level. I remember being at the same spot as you awhile ago. I was coming up to within about a year of testing for my 4th dan, my fav training partner was fighting the good fight in Iraq, and I felt kinda alone.

All I was doing was teaching, and not training. this can be the death warrant of a martial artist. You must be a student first always. I knew I was in a bad spot. I asked Master Rowe for a serious challenge. I wanted something that was either going to break me, or transform me. I got EXACTLY what I asked for. An ordeal that tried me physically, mentally, and spiritually. I had to completely change my priorities for 6 months, and really it changed my life even after that.

My actual 4th dan test wasn't really about the 2 hrs performing in front of Master Dickerson. It was really about the 6 months prior to it. Without that, there was no point to the actual exam.

Since then, it has become a trend at our school. Rowe and I are actually going through it again as I write this, and have made it even harder on ourselves. We also have about 20 students who started the challenge back in January with us. It will culminate this at the end of June with a special training camp. I've had a couple of students wash out, a few are toeing the line (including me), and some are doing excellent.

I bet we could come up with something for you, Pete. It's gonna require some personal conversations between us, but I think we'd both be willing to help you as much as we can.

keep training until I get over there in May...then I'll get a fire started under your...arse.

mwa-hah-hah-hah! Dad's gonna kick yer butt.

Nah...I'm just an old man. BUT a lot of black belts start to "burn out" after a time and I find that if they're given something that "opens their eyes"; something that really interests them and inspires them - they start training again and usually have more enthusiasm than ever before. I'll try to give Pete some ideas and light his fire-

pstarr wrote:
Nah...I'm just an old man. BUT a lot of black belts start to "burn out" after a time and I find that if they're given something that "opens their eyes"; something that really interests them and inspires them - they start training again and usually have more enthusiasm than ever before. I'll try to give Pete some ideas and light his fire-
Could we get a video of the event, set to this music;