How to Become a Black Belt in Karate

Anyone who has ever seen a martial arts movie has dreamed of earning a Black Belt. It is a long and difficult process to get a Black Belt in karate, and it is important to know at the start of training if you're looking for a first-degree Black Belt or want to a higher level of Black Belt. If you have the patience to go through extensive training and have above-average conditioning and balance, you could earn a first degree Black Belt in three to four years.

Things You'll Need

  • Karate Uniform
  • Dojo Membership
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Instructions

    • 1

      Research the karate Dojos in your area and figure out which one is best for your goals; try to find a Dojo that has been established in your area for years, seems stable financially and has instructors with years of experience. Set a goal in mind for when you would like to achieve a Black Belt. Make the goal realistic but set a time limit that will still prove challenging.

    • 2

      Prepare yourself for years of training both mentally and physically; the physical side of things will improve as you train towards your Black Belt but you need to be in shape enough to get started. Concentrate on self-respect, respect for others, timing, coordination, balance, timing, flexibility, focus and conditioning. Focus on the hurdles the student syllabus says you need to overcome to reach each level of Belt.

    • 3

      Learn the belt rankings you will have to go through to get to Black Belt: a White Belt, an Orange Belt, a Yellow Belt, a Blue Belt, a Green Belt, two purple belts, and three levels of Brown Belts.

    • 4

      Attend class regularly and practice at home; a lot of people give up on the way to earning a Black Belt. Keeping up with your training at the Dojo and at home will vastly improve your chances of success. Research karate by reading books on the subject and doing internet research as much as possible in your down time.

    • 5

      Find a training partner with similar goals. As with exercising, it helps to have another person as motivated as you are to achieve your goal. Learn the ten types of Black Belt, from First Degree to Tenth Degree in ascending order, and what is required to advance each level. Plan for at least six months if you only want to earn the First Degree Black Belt and at least three to four years if you want a Tenth Degree Black Belt.