Question for black belts here?

Can you effectively teach the class? The reason we don't pay for lessons is because we are a free contribution to the master just by showing up. We take some of the work load by teaching. That's why we do not pay.

Offer what you can, but discretion is up to the headmaster.

Black belt first degrees/dan is not the highest form of mastery of an art. Rather, some arts go up to nine to ten degrees/dans. First degree, like Frank the Tank stated, is merely the beginning of really learning the art- you know all the simple stuff now- its time you used it effectively and creatively. Different dojos/dojangs have different ways of testing a skill level. Therefore, a judo black belt of the same rank can be better or worser than a taekwondo black belt in a fight. Heck, a black belt from one particular club could be way strong stronger than another who does the same style, just because the training methods are different. I personally do taekwondo and when I tested for my black belt, I did the following: 1. Sparring 2. Breaking Boards 3. Several poomsae (thats a combination of combat movements that you memorize and perform) 4. Several one step sparring methods 5. "Frozen" Kicking (you lash out your leg/fist, leave it in midair for ten seconds, then you retract it) 6. Two hours long written examination (history, etiquette of taekwondo etc etc) 7. 75 push ups (100 if you are male) and a 5km run (even though most of us were too tired and just jogged). The test took me the entire morning (it commenced at 8am and didn't finish until past noon). As for how does one get promoted? Well, you get recommended in my dojang but I heard of places where you just test when "your time was up". Yes, there are some people who get black belts in under two years. Thats because they are very talented or their school's testing regulations are not strict enough or the school is in it for money and is a ripoff (more testing= more money). In my dojang, the black belt to colour belt (including one belt) ratio is 30:420 (an approximate). Not too bad, eh? Hope this helps! :)

Since you are only a beginner black belt and have been out you should have to pay for training regardless. If you were ranked around 3rd degree and were a competent teacher then you could exchange your teaching ability for tuition but a good instructor should not let you get free training at a lower rank since you are still a begining student (even at black belt level).

I am an 8th degree black belt and I still pay for training...be it seminars, attending schools with other instructors or what not I am happy to do so because I truly want to learn. No one ever earns the right to be cheap and try and get something for nothing. If the training is good then I will pay. If I want to honor my school and help it out I will pay....NO MATTER what my rank is. I even travel and train and if I visit a school I will give them money whether they want it or not for teaching me or even to just let me workout with them.

You also need to realize that all students, regardless of rank, should pay something to help their dojo succeed. Schools pay rent, utlities and need insurance...if you think you should not have to pay to help out your school then you don't belong in a traditional or even good school.

That being said I do not feel that qualified black belts who are dedicated should have to pay the same tuition rates as lower ranked students IF they are helping out their dojo by assistig in classes. Just because the have a black cloth around their waste does not mean they are any good at teaching...not even close. Our black belts pay a reduced fee but they get a black belt only class. The only time a black belt does not pay is when they are given the license to own / manage their own school...yes you must be licensed in the real martial arts world. From my experience most of the time if its free then it is not worth it in terms of quality instruction and I have been training for 31 years.

Unless you're one how the higher ranking belts there and are teaching, but not learning then you'll have to pay. It's going to depend mainly on what school it is. You should talk with the lead instructor about teaching in exchange for training.

Oh there are so many problems with your question/idea...

Basically, the reason "black belts" don't pay at a club is usually related to things other than the fact that they have a black cloth around their waist. What those reasons are will differ between various clubs but it is most likely linked to benefit to the dojo (teaching, helping, office work, etc).

At our dojo all of the black belts pay. If there is a personal matter between them and the grandmaster (such as job loss, family problems, etc), well that is between them. The rule is every pays their way or carries their weight.

So... would you carry your weight? As some one that has been out of it for a while (according to your initial comments)? I would say...no way. As we say here in Japan... "Damate Keiko." Roughly translates as "Shut up and train" ;)

this is more up the your school. and there policy's

some places i go to i dont pay other i do. but in the cases where i dont pay i usually buy the instructor lunch or dinner, something.

remember there spend there time to train you. you should give them back something. especially if this is there only source of income.

some instructors dont care as much, but out of respect you should give them something in return

yes, still paying, and teaching and helping out. But there may come a time when that stops, hopefully in June. :o)

We have had guys come in with your situation, yes they have to pay. But most of them didn't remember their forms and stuff.

If you are looking to get a higher rank, like more degrees, or are just using the studio/training facilities to practice and get professional instruction you will have to pay. If you are helping instruct and train you most likely wont have to pay.

I still pay for every ounce of training I receive. I also make my Black Belts pay for their training, either by working for me or in tuition.

There's no such thing as a free lunch.

i know many black belt and they don't pay and i'm not a black belt and some schools i don't pay at. but sometimes I do pay and sometimes my instructor pays from his pocket even though he shouldn't. your question isn't correct. you should go train and offer the instructor dues sincerely, as its an honor. when you establish yourself again and contribute like you used to and should then you instructor will tell you to keep your money. or you will be reimbursed in other ways.

edit: as a black belt you should be able to answer this yourself!!!

edit: do you realize how many students come to class either without remembering dues or who believe they shouldn't have to pay. its your instructors livelyhood whereas your just flowing through the doors like the wind.