A new Student walks into the school

[Keith]

Hello everyone

     I have a question regarding new students.  Lets say you run or teach in a Dojo and a new students walks in that already has an advance belt in a diffrent system.  Like Brown or Brown/black something like that.  How do you handle that?  Do you make the new guy start all over again from the start (ie white belt)?  Would it matter if say the student was from a "soft" style and you are a "hard" style? 

   I am not a teacher just a studnet but it does relate to a paper that I have to write and this situition has come up as part of my topic. 

Thanks

Keith
Green/Brown Tum Pai

[rcollette]

For me:

If they are Kajukenbo, no matter what, they can wear their own belt, they earned it - but they will have to backfill any differences before they can progress.  This shouldn't be a big deal really..

If they are not Kajukenbo, they can wrap a white belt and earn their bruises like everybody else.

Just my .02

[dastars]

The general trend I've experienced is that if they hold a rank short of black belt in Kajukenbo or a component art, they will start at and wear a white belt; but it is more likely that they will skip-test or test faster for ranks (e.g. 3 months time in grade rather than 6).  They would not wear their other rank, however; only the earned kajukenbo rank.  If they held a black belt in Kajukenbo or a component art, the same "acceleration" would occur, but they could wear their black belt if they liked (which rarely happens).  For those holding rank in unrelated arts, white belt and traditional time-in-grade requirements.

[KajuJKDFighter]

   If they have rank in Kaju and I can talk to the teacher, I let them keep rank and make sure they are up to the same level at my school.  If they are a Kaju black belt and I can verify it, I let them wear their earned black.
     If from another art, they are starting over, though like was already said, it my be easier, or even harder sometimes for them to learn.
      Think of it as schooling, you can have a doctorate in English, but that doesn't mean you can do surgery, there is no cross over.  It's a pet peeve of mine to see rank given, just to give it, to friends or in trade for example.  That just cheapens the hard work others have put in.

[Jason Goldsmith]

I have a similar approach to those already mentioned.  If they are a kajukenbo black belt, they may wear their well-earned rank (regardless of branch).  If they are not a black belt, they start at white (regardless of background), but I typically teach them at an accelarated pace (double-testing, etc).  However, I should note that I do not neccesarily honors degrees of black belt in other Kajukenbo styles.  WHKD has very specific standards for every dan, so if the student does not meet those standards, their dan is not honored and they will be given a student black.

[John Bishop]

I normally welcome anyone to come and workout in the class.  A lot of times I have senior color belts or black belts join the class.  I allow them to wear their rank with the uniform of the system. 
I realize that some of them are either undecided on whether they want to change styles to Kajukenbo, or some may just want to pick up some more techniques to round off their training. 
So if their just wanting to get the additional training, then they're free to wear their old rank and uniform and enjoy the workouts.  If they are interested in earning rank in Kajukenbo, then they can test at what ever level their qualified for when the time comes.  But nobody wears a Kajukenbo rank and uniform that hasn't trained and tested for it.  And I'm not saying that someone who is already a black belt with actual black belt skills needs to train for 4-6 more years to test for student black.  I think a skilled black belt can probably learn the techniques required for student black in 1-2 years.   
I agree 100% with Sigung Bono about cross ranking, and honorary ranking.  It cheapens the value of the rank, and tarnishes the systems reputation.  But that's whole differant topic.     

[Keith]

Thanks a lot..  The answer is pretty much what I thought but it is always nice to see other people agree with you.

This should make an interesting paper


Thanks

Keith
Tum Pai green/brown

[Sifu_Tony]

If not kajukenbo ranked, you have to start them at white. They could so easily have purchased the belt.

[Bautista's]

As a teacher you can tell by there movements and gesture.
Emil

[RWKingi]

We have an open door policy.  When it comes to working out, they are more than welcome to come down to the school and work out with us and wear their belt.  But it is immediately noticeable whether or not they just bought the belt or earned it.  And sometimes, they may truly be a high rank in another system, but not all schools hold up the same standards as Kaju!

As for Kajukenbo ranked students, they can keep their belt as long as they get up to speed to the way we teach our techniques, katas etc. 

But if they were to want to move up in rank in Kajukenbo from an outside system...time to strap on that white belt and earn it like everyone else!

We have actually had some of both.  We have had some black belts from other systems come in and want to start all over from scratch to earn their black belt in Kaju.  And we have had some Kajukenbo color belts come in and learn the differences in techniques and katas etc, and move up from the rank they were. 

Either way it goes...there is no easy way to earning your black belt in Kaju!  That is why the bond is so great!

[NickS]

I totally agree with Sigung Bono. Too bad many schools bring in someone who may be a black belt in some other style then give them a high rank in Kajukenbo. It really is disrespectful to those who have come up the hard way in Kajukenbo, having to wait several years between black belt tests, and just earning it all the way. In comes somebody's good friend who is a few degrees in something else, and suddenly they are at the front of everybody as a 5-6-7 degree Kajukenbo black belt. Go figure that out!! If they come from some other branch of Kajukenbo, then they should keep their Kaju rank wherever they go in Kajukenbo. Also, I feel that everyone should at least learn the original kajukenbo katas/pinions, rotations, grab-arts as taught by Sijo and his direct students (like Sid Asuncion) before they can ever be a kajukenbo black belt. Then they can add all the other things that many schools teach; like grappling, boxing, muay thai, aikido, whatever (that's all good, too).
I started Kajukenbo as a white belt, and never left. My teacher was taught by George Iverson, who was taught by Sid Asuncion, who was taught by Sijo. And that's my nickel's-worth. Aloha.

[tycoa7]

Any martial artist must pay time and earn their belt.....