Brown Belt Manual

Dear Brown Belt Students,

From all of the staff and students, we would like to congratulate you on earning your brown belt rank. Brow belt is a big step--you made it! Your dedication and hard training have helped you reach your goals step by step. Brown belt rank is a big step, and now your training will accelerate as you continue training toward the goal of Black Belt. We hope that you will realize that reaching your goal of Black Belt is only the beginning--we hope you will see your journey in Karate as a life-long pursuit, always growing, always striving.

As a new brown belt student, there are some guidelines for you to incorporate into your training.

Attend one session of S.W.A.T. training. This course is offered a few times a year. Although not every Black Belt wishes to become an instructor (however, many of you do), it is important that you know some basic principles in passing on the art with sound teaching skills.
Be a sempai helper in lower rank classes for 50 hours or more during your months/years as a brown belt. Use your S.W.A.T. notebook to record your time.
Complete all homework assignments given in this manual. Purchase of all the student manuals will be needed to help you with these assignments.
Estimate your time in training to Black Belt to be about three years or more. As a Black Belt, you will need to be familiar with more kata than required. But perfect the few needed for testing.
Now that you have 'made it' to the big step of brown belt, accept the challenges and hard work that lies ahead on your biggest goal to Black Belt. As you continue to move up in rank, the going will get tougher. But you have proven your 'tamashii' (indomitable spirit) and self discipline at this point. It will not be uncommon at this level to fail a stripe test. This is to encourage you to keep working toward perfection. Realize that having four stripes on your belt earns you the right to test but does not guarantee promotion. Retesting for a rank is not uncommon within the brown belt ranks. Remember, each person will be graded by his/her own abilities and talents.
Pick your testing kata from those taught in noviceclasses. It is also important to be fully prepared for kata and sparring by having your own weapons (bos, rubber knives, wooden guns, etc.) and sparring gear. Borrowing weapons and gear for practice and/or testing is not acceptable at this advanced level.
Observe the Dojo Rules and Etiquette as printed in the Novice Manual. As a brown belt, all the students will look up to you--you are their example, their model as they, too, set their goals on brown belt. Please be alert to show respect to the Dojo and to your instructors in and out of class. Your attitude and etiquette everyday in and out of the dojo is a big part of every belt test.
You are required to be in three tournaments of your choice--inter school tournaments or open-circuit tournaments. You may participate as a referee, score keeper, time keeper and I or a competitor. This will give you a well-rounded experience which is necessary for Black Belt rank. Future instructors should have experience as a competitor as well as refereeing. We are here to guide you along the path of Karate-Do and assist you in any way. Please let us know your questions and how we can better assist you. Best wishes as you continue toward your goals.