Empower Your Child with Sensei Candy Karate
Kids Martial Arts
How junior Black Belts work for our lil dragons program. To earn a full Black Belt a student has to demonstrate a great deal of knowledge in a long and challenging test, age doesn’t necessarily matter. The full Black Belt is a test of determination, dedication and endurance. Junior Black Belts are for those real young that can demonstrate 75 percent of curriculum taught and are classified as lil dragons. Most of the time this is kiddos age 7 or younger but some of our special abilities kiddos are also classified as dragons.
1. They only need to know, at least with verbal instructions, the following Katas: Chungi, Tangoon, and Toesan to get brown. To earn 2ndbrown, they will do all those without assistance. They will learn won yo to win their red and Chugmu to earn junior Black Belt.
2. They will not learn all self-defense moves, pressure points, background of karate, or specialty to test for Black. (It will be equivalent to the Blue red belt test for older students)
3. Their Black Belts will have a white stripe to indicate Black Belt Juniors.
4. They will not be required to have Sparring, tournament, or teaching credit for junior Black belt.
*Regular tests would require it no matter the age though.
5. If they pass junior Black belt and decide in like a year or so that they can pass a regular Belt Test, then they can test for a solid belt.
6. They will always be a black belt after they pass the test, but most adults, whether they stay in or come back, retest for first degree Black Belt. You don’t have to, but most do to prove they know it as an adult and so they can continue testing. It’s just easier that way because you have to wait 2 years to test for 2nd, 3 yrs to test for 3rd, etc
They can test for “lil dragons” Black Belt no matter the age they are at the time of approval. (Kids sometimes have no interest or are unable to learn all material required for a full Black, and that’s OK)
But, if they end up learning all the material required to earn a regular Black Belt with all the material, then they can earn a solid full Black Belt at testing no matter the age.
*in my experience. .. most kids who start really young stay in it a bit longer but end up the best Black Belts. In fact, I have never had to hand out a junior Black belt. Soon, the kiddos who really want Black Belt end up learning all the material needed to pass regular tests. If they are really young, the test is modified to fit their age, but they still absorb all material and can demonstrate it.
Some may not agree with giving kids Black Belts. At Sensei Candy karate all kids learn a great deal of material. Often taking 3-4 years and having to have community service hours, teaching credits, resumes and outstanding records in the dojo and out. Every quality of the Black Belt candidate must be in line with long standing morals and standards. This is the same for everyone no matter the students age. If they can pass the test, they have earned it and will be shown every ounce of respect they have earned no matter their age.