Black Belt Attitude and Etiquette

Being a Black Belt: What does it take?

Black Belt Attitude

You must demonstrate an attitude of excellence in three areas of your life:

• At home

  You must demonstrate a positive, respectful, and helping attitude while at home. The life skills you learn during your martial arts classes must be evident in your actions with your family and friends. The same respect you show for your instructors must be shown to your family and friends.

• At school or at work

  You must show the spirit, concentration, persistence, and positive attitude at school or work that you show at your martial arts school. You should be striving to do your very best in everything you do. As your skills and knowledge in the martial arts grow, it should become easier and easier to excel at everything you do.

• At martial arts classes

  You must always demonstrate an "attitude of excellence" in class. You are never expected to be perfect, just give your very best effort and maintain a "Yes, I Can!" attitude.

Black Belt Intensity

Everything in life starts with desire. You must first decide what you want and then set your sights on reaching that goal no matter what the obstacles. A Black Belt knows what they want and they are willing to do whatever it takes to reach their goals. If you know in your heart you want to be a Black Belt and you focus your efforts with maximum intensity in that direction, you will reach your goal. You will earn your black belt. You will know anything in life is possible when you show outstanding black belt focus, attitude, intensity, and commitment.

Qualities of a Black Belt

• Excellence: A Black Belt gives their all no matter what the score.

• Overcoming Adversity: A Black Belt sees every challenge as an opportunity.

• Leadership: A Black Belt is one who makes all those around them better.

• Discipline: A Black Belt dedicates their self to preparing for success.

• Commitment: A Black Belt may fail, but they never quit.

• Teamwork: A Black Belt puts the success of others above individual achievement.

• Conviction: A Black Belt lives by a higher standard and stands firm when others around them fall or quit.

• Sacrifice: A Black Belt is one who lays down their own desires for the benefit of others.

• Perseverance: A Black Belt gets up one more time than they have been knocked down.

• Gratitude: A Black Belt knows their talents and successes are given, not self-developed or endowed by others.

The 12 Secrets of Black Belt Parents

1. Black Belt parents never interact with their children during class.

   They realize that watching a martial arts class is just like observing their child in regular school, and the instructor is the only person in charge. Interrupting or interacting with their child would be disrespectful to the instructor and distracting to all of the students. Please refrain from all interaction unless asked by the instructor to do so.

2. Black Belt parents always bring something quiet to do during their child's class.

   They know that talking is disruptive to the class and to other parents who are reading or working quietly. If Black Belt parents want to socialize, they go outside until the class period is over. Parents and guests watch and wait from the chairs along the back of the school only. Black Belts Parents do not wait by the door or front counter.

3. Black Belt parents always keep their future Black Belts and students-to-be (ages 0 and up), under control and quiet during an older sibling's class.

   Crying, screaming, or rowdy children can be a major distraction to class. Black Belt parents know this and always take overly enthusiastic little ones outside.

4. Black Belt parents realize that the is not a daycare center, so they drop off and pick up their children promptly.

   They realize that the staff cannot be held responsible for their children left unattended before and after classes. If a child MUST unavoidably be left for an extra time, Black Belt parents always alert the staff and make sure that their child knows where to sit quietly and wait.

5. Black Belt parents know, and faithfully practice school rules and policies.

   They follow and enforce these rules with their children. When mom and dad follow the school rules and regulations, then their child is more likely to follow their example. This starts at the front door, where everyone is to bow and greet the instructors when entering and leaving.

6. Black Belt parents pay attention to what their children are learning in class and reinforce their positive behavior at home.

   They realize that as parents, they are an important part of the academy's team, and help their children to improve by working with the instructors and staying informed.

7. Black Belt parents know that their child is an individual who will progress at their own rate.

   They never compare a child to their sibling or other students. They encourage and support each child's progress and help them to set and achieve realistic goals.

8. Black Belt parents remember why their child joined in the first place, not just to memorize forms, but to improve themselves as people.

   Black Belt parents are never harsh or pushy with instructors about how fast their child is learning. Black Belt parents know that memorizing is not necessary or important. They take a moment to see how their child is improving as a whole person, realizing that rank graduation is just part of the big picture.

9. Black Belt parents know that if they have a concern about their child's training, progress, or about the school, they should go directly to the instructor, not to other parents.

   Black Belt parents never start or participate in gossip. In fact, they do their best to stop it.

10. Black Belt parents encourage all of the students in the school during class, promotion, and demonstrations.

    They know that through their example, their children will also learn to encourage and support everyone at the academy.

11. Black Belt parents always make sure that they and their children show respect and courtesy when attending tournaments and other martial arts functions.

    They especially avoid confrontations with judges and other parents. Showing respect and courtesy is a great example to their children to be good sports, whether they win or lose. If they do have a concern, they respectfully take it to a tournament event staff member.

12. Black Belt parents will always help their children set goals both in and out of martial arts.

    Black Belt parents set goals with their children for both martial arts and life in general. Black Belt parents know that goal setting will help their children develop the perseverance and self-discipline needed to stick to commitments and achieve great personal success.