Regularly scheduled tests by themselves don't make a school a McDojo. I know of many respected schools that have them. The key is that only students that are ready to test are INVITED to test. And only students who pass their test are promoted. Students who are ready and invited, but do bad on the test are failed in a respected school. Sure it's rare, but it's done.
I agree with the other comments about kids and black belts. We can argue over the age of when someone is mature enough to be a black belt. Some say 16 others say 18. To me the number doesn't matter but the maturity of the person. In any case, I don't like kids being given black belts. I also am not a fan of "junior black belts" but see their purpose. And yes, there is a huge difference between a junior black belt and a black belt in schools that use them.
Keyboard Warrior is spot on.
I have never agreed to anyone below 16 years of age attaining the dan irrespective of ability.
Promotion to black belt is not only a mark of competence-it is also a mark of maturity so how a 9 year old can be recognised as the holder one one of the most prestigious and sought after ranks in the fighting arts is above me-forget 2nd 3rd 4th dans etc-your first dan is the most important grade you will ever achieve.
Besides can you see a line of adults taking instruction from a 9 year-old??-no neither can i.
The classic mark of a McDojong is not only children wearing blackbelts-it will also be your sabonhim saying that HE thinks it is time for you take take the dan-WRONG!-you take the dan when you both agree you are ready.
I would walk away from any club that promised a dan in less than two years-and that is with training every other day!.
children should not be awarded a black belt, it should be at 18, i would consed to a 16 year old. but any younger is ridiculous.
being a black belt is more then just physical skill, there is a mental part of it too, a child does not have the same mentality as an adult, there brain is not as developed as an adults as well as mental level.
as for the time period or time limit comment. time is a ruff guide line, it should never be the only factor. and should not be written in stone. it depends how hard you train. student a might train a lot harder then student b. so student be might make his black belt in 10 years and student a will in 6 years.
if time is the major fact then that is wrong.
most organizations will state its a minimum time frame. meaning anytime after that. but that is not how people interpret it. they see 6 months and jump on that being the a guarantee
Hate to say it, but I think your school is a blackbelt factory.
taekwondo second dan according to kukkiwon ( world taekwondo headquarters ) is 1 year after the 1st dan black.
not more..
check the kukkiwon site..
dont think yours is mcdojo...
Hi, I was wondering if my school was a Mcdojang. We are under the ITF and there is Gradings once every three months and it is then extended at Red Belt to 6-9 months. Two Black Belts are 9/10 and I am 14 with a First Dan Black Belt. We wait until we are 16 until we are eligible for Second Dan.
Help?
