Responsibilities of a Black Belt

Earning your black belt is hard work. It takes a lot of time, dedication, and consistency to get there. But getting your black belt is not the end of the journey. There are higher ranks of degrees that you can achieve, but even more important than that, are the responsibilities that come with being a black belt that we uphold at Mueller’s Martial Arts.

Leadership role:

When you get your black belt, you’ve proven that you’ve stayed committed and have enough knowledge and skills to hold the rank of black belt. It’s not something that should be taken lightly. Others aspire to achieve that level. Because of the knowledge that you possess, you now hold a responsibility to take on a leadership role and share that knowledge with others. That can be as simple as being an example in class–being the loudest person in the room, showing the best skills, and acting like a black belt. It can be answering questions that others may have during their training that you now can use to impart wisdom. Or it can be becoming a true leader and helping to teach classes. In whatever way you choose, you must be the model for how other students are supposed to act when they are a black belt, and everyday in class. 

Judging at tournaments: 

All black belts should compete at tournaments. You have gained the skills needed to become very skilled in martial arts, so you should show off what you know with others at the competition level. Moreover, you should treat it as an experience to learn even more. However, more important than that, is that every single black belt should judge at tournaments. There is a black belt meeting first thing in the morning that everyone should attend, then they lead and help out in rings to judge others. This is because only black belts have the skills, knowledge, and integrity needed to judge others at a high-level during tournaments. They were taught the information needed to get there, now they pay back the organization by helping with tournaments. It’s not a negotiation. It’s a responsibility. 

Staying until the very end:

Speaking of tournaments and other events and trainings, black belts should be staying until the very end. They should be the first one there and the last one to leave. Being a black belt means having integrity and shouldering the responsibilities that come with it. In touramnets for example, everyone (should) stay and help clean up when its over. Yes, even if they competed and have been judging all day. They stay and help clean up because it is the right thing to do, and they want to help out. Being a black belt means putting the needs of others above your own, and embracing discomfort to make you better. 

Keep going:

A black belt’s journey never ends. They don’t give up once they receive their belt or they are not a black belt at all. A black belt continues to train because they know that there is always areas to improve, knowledge to be gained, and goals to achieve. It is not easy to keep going when you feel like you want to be done, but a black belt’s perseverance never ends. They see the benefit martial arts has on their entire life and choose to keep going no matter what. This can be done by continuing to come to classes, attending trainings, and practicing on their own.

Getting your black belt is something that no one can take away from you, but it is something you can lose on your own. You lose it by not showing up when you’re supposed to, not staying when it’s the right thing to do, and when you stop training. Being a black belt isn’t easy, but to be part of the rare people that get there is an accomplishment that is worth fighting for.

To get your black belt or keep training once you have it, join us at Mueller’s Martial Arts.