How Long Should It Take To Get A Black Belt?

Posted by Mike Massie on March 31, 2010

Should You Lower Your Standards In Order To Increase Retention?

“How long does it take to get a black belt?”

We usually hear this question from new and prospective students, but the following question was actually posted on my member site forums this week by an instructor:

“How long does it take your kids to reach black belt? I have been told by my instructor that I will have extremely poor retention if it takes longer than 2.5 years, but I just don’t feel like that is enough time for the students to achieve the level that I expect out of a black belt.”

When is a black belt just a piece of cloth? Why, when it's bought and not earned, of course...

Kudos to this instructor for wanting to keep their quality high, even though their instructor obviously isn’t so willing to sacrifice profit for quality (I’d argue that improving quality leads to greater profits overall, but more on that later).

There were some great comments from the other members in response to the question this instructor posed. So if you’re a member and you get a chance, log in today to see what the other members have said so far.

Why I Insist On Keeping My Standards High For Achieving Black Belt

As for my answer? I replied, “As long as it takes.”

I’ve been teaching professionally for years (two decades + teaching kids). And, let me tell you…

If you set the proper expectations FROM THE BEGINNING, you are going to retain a HIGHER QUALITY OF STUDENT than if you set your school up to be a black belt mill just to make a quick buck.

Let me tell you something – the public is NOT stupid. They know exactly what is going on in your school when you “bump” someone in rank just to keep them around.

If You Think Your Clients Don’t Realize What You’re Doing Then Most Certainly, You’re The Fool

Case in point:

Last week I had an interesting conversation with a salesperson who called on my office. Once she found out what I do for a living, she quickly told me about her daughter, who has been enrolled in martial arts for the last five years. Her daughter is close to earning her junior black belt, and the mother just went on and on about all the benefits of martial arts for kids.

Her only gripe? That the instructors would often promote students whose skills and knowledge were grossly inferior to their peers, out of an apparent profit motivation. She said it was obvious they “wanted to move the kids up so they could keep making money off them.”

*Sigh*

Trade A Legacy For A Lexus? Not Me…

In my schools (where we teach a curriculum that is old school martial arts combined with modern self-defense) the average time is 4.5 years to 1st dan black belt.

For kids, it can take longer depending on at what age they enrolled. Younger kids just move slower through the junior ranks. Older kids sometimes move faster. And, we don’t give kids black belts – they get a half-black “junior black belt” in my schools.

Of course, teens and adults can do it in three years, if they’re dedicated. It’s only happened once so far, though. And, I’ll be honest – I simply don’t turn out a whole lot of black belts.

That’s for good reason. You see, I have a philosophy that not everyone is meant to be a black belt. That doesn’t preclude anyone from achieving it in my schools – far from it. However, few people will stick around and pay the price for earning a Massie black belt, because my standards are so high.

Sure, I could lower my standards and probably make a lot more money. But it’s an integrity issue for me, because I’m not going to be the type of instructor who stands on the shoulders of giants, only to walk all over their legacy.

A Quick History Lesson

I have more training and rank in Korean systems than any of the other “traditional” systems I’ve studied, and I was fortunate enough to come from a line of really hard core Korean-style instructors. Also, I am very well read and knowledgeable regarding the history of martial arts in America.

Historically, the trend surrounding taking people to black belt rapidly started with a certain large chain of Korean martial art schools, who built an empire on selling instant gratification to their students.

No, they weren’t the only ones doing it…

However, they were perhaps the most successful. Due to their success, many other school owners (including those from other styles) started seeing how much money they were making by selling belts, and it caught on.

A Few Bad Apples… Can Look Like The Whole Bushel

The sad thing is, lots of Korean and Korean-style instructors kept their standards high and refused to follow the practice. But unfortunately, the practice became so widespread among Korean-style schools that it eventually damaged the reputation of the Korean martial arts overall.

What a crying shame. Personally, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to show people how serious I am about martial arts to get respect from them, simply because of my background in Korean martial arts.

Never mind the fact that plenty of great martial artists have backgrounds in Korean systems. But, let me assure you there are still quality instructors turning out quality black belts from Korean-style schools.

But I digress… I only brought this up so you’d know how the practice of lowering belt rank promotion standards came about, and to illustrate to you younger instructors that it wasn’t always as easy as it is today to get a black belt.

Getting Back To Promoting Kids To Black Belt

Now, it’s almost the norm in American martial art schools that teach sub-styles of karate (Korean and otherwise) to rank people very quickly and rush them to black belt for fear of losing students.

Again, what a crying shame…

By making this practice the status quo, the martial arts industry in America has succeeded in doing the following:

1. They’ve watered down the martial arts in America by turning out black belts who aren’t really prepared at all to teach… who then in turn start schools before they are ready and teach their own students their own bad habits and pass on their underdeveloped knowledge of technical execution -

2. They’ve conditioned much of the public into expecting to get things quickly and easily when they enter a martial arts school. Certainly, I can teach someone to defend themselves in two or three years of study (sometimes less, depending on the student). But it takes much longer to train a competent black belt who is capable of passing on what they know.

3. They’ve led the public and their students to believe that the only prerequisite for being a competent instructor is to hold a black belt… a belief that in turn has made it much easier for the public to be duped. Typically this is by marginally-qualified charlatans and con artists posing as legitimate instructors who are more than eager to fool the public into thinking they’re getting good martial arts instruction – all while charging them handsomely for sub-par training and instruction.

Since When Did Maintaining Quality Become A Hindrance To Doing Business?

You know, one of the fastest growing martial arts styles among kids and adults in America is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. And, as everyone knows, BJJ instructors are famous for being “stingy” with rank – or, at least that’s how they’re often categorized.

Me, I say they do it right. Eight to ten years on average for earning a black belt is just about right to me, when you’re talking about preparing someone to teach and pass on what they’ve learned.

Sure, a good four or five year purple belt is more than capable of leading a good class… But I’ve long believed (based on years of observation) that it takes about ten years for an instructor to really gain a sufficient depth of knowledge regarding the subtleties of their art to become an accomplished instructor. (Note: I don’t certify a black belt as a full instructor until they’re 3rd dan or higher – which takes about eight to ten years typically.)

But wait a minute… it takes about two years on average to get the first belt in BJJ. Yet, we’ve seen people turning out in droves to join Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu schools over the last decade.

Could it be that the public really wants something that is real? Something that is worthwhile and truly earned? Something not watered down, but that’s been kept pure and honest?

I say, the answer to all of the above is a resounding “YES!”

So, Here’s My Advice…

So, here’s my advice to you – instead of worrying about losing students because you aren’t lowering the quality of your programs enough…

Worry instead about retaining students by teaching the highest quality program you possibly can – trusting that your reputation and high standards will be your strongest retention tool.

Letting Others Talk You Out Of Martial Arts Business Success

Posted by Mike Massie on March 11, 2010

Want To Fail Fast? Make Every Decision Based On What Other People Think…

Nope, I can't do it... but that doesn't mean I'm going to criticize someone else for doing it if it makes them happy and successful.

This morning on our forums, one of our members who is just getting started asked if she should start teaching three year olds.

Apparently, she is good at it and likes teaching that age group. And, there’s a demand for it in her area.

Here’s the thing… she was worried about what other people would think if she started teaching that age group. Of course, this created doubt in her mind regarding the best course of action for her to take in her business.

Thankfully, one of the members of the forum who has been in business for a few years stepped in and told her not to worry abut what other people think.

And I agree with what he said, completely. Running your business according to what other people think is the surest path to failure of any that I’ve seen in over two decades of teaching.

You may disagree with me in this particular instance, but bear with me… I am going to use it as an illustration of why you need to make business decisions based on your own judgment, and not on the opinions of others.

Getting Back To The “Teaching Three-Year-Olds” Dilemma…

Here’s the thing about this particular example – it just makes good sense from a business perspective for her to start this class.

For starters, she is just starting out. In this economy, and especially when you’re launching your school, you just can’t afford to turn away business.

Also, there’s a serious lack of competition in this niche. Think about it – no one wants that age group, and I mean no one.

And the best part is that it’s a hot market if you can handle it and you enjoy doing it.

Personally, I tried running a three and four year old class, and I hated it. But, that’s because I wasn’t good at it. I had plenty of interest though, and if I happened to be good with three-year-olds, I’d have stuck with it.

Would some instructors look down on me for it? Sure, but they aren’t paying my bills.

And, I’ll tell anyone – although I suck at working with three year olds, I greatly enjoy teaching the slightly older 4-6 year old group. In fact, they’re my favorite age group to teach.

So what if other instructors think I’m doing a romper room routine when I run that class? I could care less. I am doing something I love, providing enjoyment for those kids and their parents, and making a living doing it.

Let me tell you – there is NOTHING wrong with that.

Besides, It’s All Relative

When you think about it, anything under age 7 or 8 is just prep for the older kids classes, and any classes from ages 7-8 to teen is just prep for the adult classes. And, adult beginner’s classes are just prep for the advanced classes.

You know… where the “real” martial arts instruction takes place. 

It’s all relative… so who said you have to meet someone else’s standard of what a “real” martial arts class is in your school?

Don’t get caught up in that – it’s the quickest way to worry yourself out of business.

Who Makes The Rules On What A “Real” Martial Art School Is, Anyway?

Ten years ago, you’d have never seen a BJJ or MMA school with a kids program.

Now, every serious full-time BJJ or MMA school has some sort of kids program. Why do you think that is?

Obviously, it’s because we all deal in the same reality when it comes to running a business. What goes up must come down. The sun comes up in the east and sets in the west. Hot in summer and cold in winter. Businesses operate on cash. It’s just common sense.

Personally, if I want to learn combat sports or self defense, I am going to find the most qualified person around to train with. Then, I am going to try a few classes to see if I like that person… if I “click” with them, in other words.

If they are a world champion jiu jitsu player and a good instructor, what the heck do I care if they run a three and four year old class or an after-school pick-up program in the afternoons to make ends meet? How is that any different from them working a part-time job outside of the school to help pay their bills?

Personally (and professionally as well) I think it makes more sense for them to be making that extra income in their school rather than by working a part-time gig.

Why? Because that means their focus isn’t split – and that is going to make the school better because they are going to be able to be 100% committed to running that school.

So Before You Pass Judgment – Check Yourself

So, before you go passing judgment on a martial art school owner for teaching a program that you wouldn’t touch – let me give you some advice… check yourself and remember that you aren’t paying their bills.

Besides, someday you may be in their shoes… and you’d be surprised at how your opinions change when you have to make the rent on a full-time martial art school every month.

Have A Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Posted by Mike Massie on November 25, 2009

Have a Happy Thanksgiving Day!

I just wanted to write a quick post to wish all of my readers a very Happy Thanksgiving Day. Hopefully you’ll be spending it with your friends and family, relaxing and recharging your batteries over the long weekend.

However, I know that some of you will work over the weekend, because that’s how I was when I first started out.

Maybe it’ll be to sneak to the school to do some last minute admin work, or you’ll be on your computer answering emails, or following up on leads, or working on a new marketing piece…

Here’s a bit of advice I’d like to share based on almost two decades of teaching for a living (most of it as a full-time school owner):

Enjoy your holidays and use them to relax while you leave your work at work. Trust me, the work will still be there when you get back on Monday.

Now, for those of you who aren’t yet teaching full-time, this weekend may be the only time you have to work on and plan your business. I understand that, just make sure you take a break to spend time with your loved ones and enjoy the holiday.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Sincerely,

Mike Massie