Challenge Martial Arts trains through a system of twelve belt ranks, which includes nine different colors from white to black. The first three colors form the beginner, or Primary, stage. The second three colors form the Intermediate stage, and the last two colors before black belt are the Advanced stage.
The belt colors symbolize the student’s development through each rank and stage. Primary stage colors are white, yellow, and orange. White represents the blank slate of the new. Students are likely to enter this level with little to no knowledge of martial arts; thus they are like newly fallen winter snows. Yellow represents the vibrant flowering of newly acquired knowledge and skills, while orange represents the deepening of such acquirements and the drawing to a close of the first “year” of your martial arts journey. Intermediate stage colors are green, purple, and blue. These deep jewel tones represent the increasing value of the knowledge and skills that are being acquired. Although maturity is not yet reached in this stage, understanding is growing with each color obtained. The Advanced colors are brown and red. Brown represents strength, power, and stability, while red signifies the excitement and enthusiasm of a goal close to achievement. Black is the final color and represents the completion of the path that you have been on, as well as the unknown of the paths still before you.
As a Black Belt at Challenge Martial Arts, you are encouraged to consider this rank a starting point for additional growth. You will be able to take the attitudes, emotional maturity, and physical development that you have achieved at Challenge into any future endeavors, whether they are in pursuing your next Black Belt rank, other martial arts, or any of the innumerable pursuits that you may engage in throughout your life.
The Primary stage introduces basic skills and knowledge. In this stage, development is usually fairly swift, although feeling overwhelmed and frustrated is not uncommon as there is a great deal of foundational material to take in. There is a minimum of 3 months of training required at each of these belt ranks before testing for the next belt.
Once the student enters the Intermediate stage, development both intensifies and slows as more complex and physically difficult skills are added. Patience and humility increase during this stage along with confidence and determination. A minimum of three months is required to attain each level of the Intermediate stage.
Complexity and difficulty continue to increase in the Advanced stage. By now, the student is well-acquainted with the physical, emotional, temperament, and intellectual demands of martial arts. You have time during the Advanced stage to both solidify and increase your skills. Teaching others is an important part of this stage as you learn a new kind of patience and work to help lower rank belts on their journeys. Each of the two Advanced belts take a minimum of six months and are divided into two grades: Low and High. Both grades require at least three months of training before testing is allowed. Low is the first part of an Advanced belt and High is the second. Red High is the final belt rank before testing for Black Belt Recommended and students will spend a minimum of three months at this level before being allowed to test for Black Belt Recommended.
Before attaining a “Black Belt Decided”, which is your true black belt, you will spend a minimum of six months training as a Black Belt Recommended. This is the most serious time of your training. During this time you will be mastering all physical techniques learned to date, as well as engaging in some intense introspection as you prepare to test for your Black Belt achievement. Humility is crucial at this level, as you carry the responsibility of setting an example for all of the lower ranks—demonstrating a high degree of proficiency at all skills, including the character traits that are included in our Components. By this time, you have acquired the knowledge that you need, furthered your knowledge into true understanding, and are polishing your skills to reach the level of artist.
White
A White Belt is awarded at the end of the first class attended, provided the following requirements have been met:
- Respectful attitude
- Serious effort
- Something learned
The White Belt represents the first step on the journey to becoming a Black Belt. White Belts should keep in mind the saying, “Well begun is half done.” If you begin with a positive attitude and eagerness to learn, with humility towards correction and attention to detail, then the mastery of the physical skills will naturally follow.
Yellow
The Yellow Belt is the second belt and is still in the beginner, or Primary, group of belts. It represents the beginning of knowledge. At this point you are still learning the basic skills that you will build upon throughout your remaining efforts at becoming a Black Belt.
Orange
The Orange Belt is the third belt and is the last of the Primary group of belts. It represents the last stage of your beginning. At this point you are getting more comfortable and familiar with the basic skills and will soon be ready for the increased challenges of the Intermediate ranks. Since this rank is preparing for entering the Intermediate stage, the student spends a minimum of three months at this rank. You are required to have all of your gear and your uniform in order before testing for the Orange Belt.
Green
The Green Belt is the fourth belt overall and the first belt of the Intermediate group. At this level, the basics become automatic and more challenging skills are added. The minimum time spent at this rank before testing is three months. Progress on the non-physical aspects of your training at Challenge Martial Arts, such as the Components, school rules and routines, and martial arts history and philosophy must be marked prior to testing for Green Belt by the acquisition of at least two stars.
Purple
The Purple Belt is the fifth belt overall and the second of the Intermediate group. More difficult forms are being learned—longer, more complex, and including the more difficult skills introduced at the previous rank. The minimum time spent at this rank before testing is also three months. Testing for Purple Belt includes knowledge of terminology as well as the usual Components, school rules and routines, and martial arts history and philosophy.
Blue
The Blue Belt is the sixth belt and the last of the Intermediate group. By this time, all basic skills are well-learned and the student is accustomed to meeting new and difficult challenges. This rank is held for a minimum of three months before testing for the next rank.
Brown
Brown Belt is the seventh belt and the first of the Advanced group. Brown Belt ranks begin to have responsibilities in class for teaching junior ranks as they also increase their own difficulty level. There are two steps in the Brown Belt rank—Low & High. The student spends a minimum of three months at each of these ranks. Progress on the non-physical aspects of your training at Challenge Martial Arts, such as the Components, terminology, school rules and routines, and martial arts history and philosophy must be marked prior to testing for Brown Belt by the acquisition of at least five stars.
Red
The Red Belt is the eighth belt and the last of the color belts before Black Belt Recommended. There are two levels—Low & High. The student spends a minimum of three months at Low and another three months at High preparing to test for Black Recommended before testing is allowed. By the end of Red High, the student should be competent at all of the skills, forms, and concepts which have been taught to date, as well as be demonstrating leadership within the school.
Black Belt Recommended
During the minimum of six months’ training at this rank, the student polishes and prepares for the Black Belt test. Leadership and a deeper understanding of the Components are both developed, while the Black Belt open hand form, board breaks, and the final Components are introduced and learned. The weapon form is designed by the Student with the assistance of the Instructor. Progress on the non-physical aspects of training at Challenge Martial Arts, such as the Components, terminology, school rules and routines, and martial arts history and philosophy must be marked prior to testing for Black Belt Recommended by the acquisition of at least nine stars.
Black Belt
Progress on the non-physical aspects of training at Challenge Martial Arts, such as the Components, terminology, school rules and routines, and martial arts history and philosophy must be marked prior to testing for Black Belt by the acquisition of at least twelve stars.
The test for Black Belt rank is the most demanding of all of the tests on this journey. The accomplishment should be one of the greatest of your life, as you have dedicated yourself to your training for the last three years. What you have learned and accomplished should have changed your life for the better, making you a more determined, compassionate, and honorable person. Expect to approach the test with excitement and nervousness, but with the assurance that you are well-prepared to handle anything on the test. The Black Belt test is intended to both give you the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and skills that you have acquired and to push you to your limits. You will be tested not only on what you have learned, but also on your endurance, your ability to apply what you have learned in new ways, and your application of the Components. At the successful completion of your Black Belt test, you will know that you have truly become a person with the skills and the heart of a Black Belt.