INSTRUCTOR
GRADES
A senior student of any Martial Arts Style
can achieve through examination the BLACKBELT.
But at the Warrington Kickboxing
Studio, as indeed it should be with
other Martial Arts Centres,
this alone does not automatically qualify
someone to teach!
A BLACKBELT wishing
to become an INSTRUCTOR must
pass a minimum
6 years probation
succesfully as an Apprentice Instructor, attached to a Senior
Instructor.
During this time they may teach beginners, ( White,
Yellow and Orange belts ), whilst under strict
guidance and supervision of their Senior
Instructor. Should they show appropriate
teaching skills, they will then be promoted to
the first Instructor Grade, known as SHODAN.
As a SHODAN they may teach Beginner
and Intermediate level students, ( White Belts
through to Purple Belts ). After two years experience
at this level a SHODAN will be
promoted to NIDAN and can Instruct
students upto Brown Belt.
After 6 years coaching, an Instructor
will be promoted to SANDAN. As
a 3rd Degree Blackbelt, they
can now coach independantly without a Senior Instructor.
After 10 years coaching students
an Instructor will be promoted to YODAN.
As a 4th Degree Blackbelt, with
10 years (+) experience they
can now take on an apprentice Instructor, to continue
the cycle.
As shown above on the Blackbelt
chart, a teacher wears the Instructors Insignia,
which is
the Red
Band across one end of his Blackbelt.
On the opposite end of the belt will be the White
Tags that represent their level / experience as
an Instructor, 2nd Degree ( 2 tags ) , 4th Degree,
( 4 tags ) etc...
From 6th Degree an Instructor
may chose to longer use a Blackbelt and instead
use a Red and White belt. From 9th Degree an Instructor
may use a Red and Black Belt. A 10th Degree Grandmaster
may use a Singular Red Belt, or in some instances
a White Belt to symbolise that they have come
full circle.
It is extremely uncommon to find Instructors of
such high ranks as those of 8th or 9th or 10th
degree in any martial arts system. People claiming
these ranks are generally referred to as being
Professors in their martial science such is their
knowledge and experience.
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