| Many of you reading this article may already be well | | | | your basic punches, blocks, kicks and strikes, about 10 |
| on your way to becoming a black belt in your chosen | | | | different forms (kata) and 5 major types of sparring |
| martial art. Some of you may just be starting out on | | | | drills. These include multiple set defenses that should be |
| your journey and others may have reached the | | | | memorized and practiced until they become second |
| coveted black belt and are now working towards | | | | nature. |
| higher degrees of the black belt. | | | | These are just the main requirements for the black |
| How long were you told it should take you to get the | | | | belt and this does not include some of the additional |
| black belt? Two years? Three years? Five? Ten? | | | | content that is practiced on the way to black belt. |
| Why does it take so long to get a black belt? This | | | | When you put this information into the context of the |
| article will help to answer your questions. | | | | suggested timeframe above you can probably now |
| In general, it takes about 3 to 5 years to get your black | | | | see why getting a black belt takes a considerable |
| belt in most legitimate martial arts. This timeframe can | | | | commitment of time and effort. |
| be shortened or lengthened based on several factors | | | | Getting a black belt is not intended to be easy. The |
| such as your commitment to your training, your overall | | | | black belt is an esteemed symbol of a person's |
| technical ability, your ability to learn and digest new | | | | technical skill and martial arts knowledge and is |
| material, and other factors. | | | | something to be proud of achieving. Ultimately, the time |
| Is three to five years a long time? It depends on how | | | | it takes to get your black belt should not be your |
| you look at it. If you practice karate twice a week for | | | | primary concern. Your focus should center on |
| one hour each session then in three years you will | | | | improving your karate skills and on improving yourself |
| have only done 312 hours of karate practice. That | | | | as a person. By doing this it will only be a matter of |
| does not sound like a lot of time spent on becoming a | | | | time before you reach your desired black belt goal and |
| black belt over a three-year time span. | | | | it will not matter to you whether it takes 3 years or 6 |
| Looking at it differently if you practice karate twice a | | | | years. All that will matter is that you accomplished your |
| week for 1 ½ hours each session then after four | | | | goal! |
| years you will have done 624 hours of karate practice | | | | For more specific information on the Black Belt and |
| - twice as much as the first example but only one | | | | how to become a Black Belt, check out my FREE |
| more year of training. This kind of schedule seems to | | | | report: Achieving the Black Belt: How to Successfully |
| be more acceptable. | | | | Take Your Karate to the Next Level. You can |
| The next thing to consider is the curriculum specific to | | | | download it at |
| your style of martial arts. If we look at the art of | | | | Keep training and good luck on your quest for the |
| Shotokan Karate as an example, by the time you are | | | | black belt. Please contact me at if you need some |
| black belt you should have a high level of knowledge | | | | encouragement along the way. |
| of about 20 to 25 major techniques that account for | | | | Good luck and best wishes on your journey in karate. |