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Suggested Belt Rank System
While all SMAA members are free to rank their students using whatever belt
rank system they wish, the belt system
that the SMAA recommends using is as follows:
| 10th |
kyu, |
gup, |
or |
class |
(new student recruit) |
| 9th |
kyu, |
gup, |
or |
class |
white |
belt |
| 8th |
kyu, |
gup, |
or |
class |
yellow |
belt |
| 7th |
kyu, |
gup, |
or |
class |
orange |
belt |
| 6th |
kyu, |
gup, |
or |
class |
green |
belt |
| 5th |
kyu, |
gup, |
or |
class |
blue |
belt |
| 4th |
kyu, |
gup, |
or |
class |
purple |
belt |
| 3rd |
kyu, |
gup, |
or |
class |
brown |
belt |
| 2nd |
kyu, |
gup, |
or |
class |
brown |
belt |
| 1st |
kyu, |
gup, |
or |
class |
brown |
belt |
| 1st |
dan |
or |
degree |
black belt |
| 2nd |
dan |
or |
degree |
black belt |
| 3rd |
dan |
or |
degree |
black belt |
| 4th |
dan |
or |
degree |
red & black belt |
| 5th |
dan |
or |
degree |
red & black belt |
| 6th |
dan |
or |
degree |
red & white belt |
| 7th |
dan |
or |
degree |
red & white belt |
| 8th |
dan |
or |
degree |
red & white belt |
| 9th |
dan |
or |
degree |
red belt |
| 10th |
dan |
or |
degree |
red belt |
(All dan rank holders may wear a black belt if they
prefer)
In very rare instances, the ranks of 11th and 12th
degrees may be awarded posthumously to the founders (12th
degree) and his successor (11th degree) of legitimately recognized
systems, providing they reached the level of 10th degree during
their lifetime. These ranks may only be awarded by unanimous vote of the
Yudansha Taigu.
This system of belts is based on the original dan ranks and their
representative colors that were first introduced by Jigoro Kano, judo’s
founder. Prior to his use of colored belts and dan ranks, only teaching
certificates (menkyo) were issued to signify what level an individual was
at. The only exception to this is that in the late 1980s, the practice of
4th and 5th dans wearing a belt of red and black panels rather than the
solid black belt was introduced. The SMAA feels that the change in color
between 3rd and 4th dans is significant, and is an outward expression that
the individual has reached a milestone (one of many!) in their training.
Rank is a double edged sword…it can be a good thing, or it can be a bad
thing…it depends on the person holding that rank. Is rank truly necessary?
No, but in the 21st century it helps to establish credibility and acts as
a motivator for students. In my opinion, the pros and cons of ranking
students in the martial arts must be a delicate balance…it is always the
individual which makes the final determination whether the rank awarded is
good or bad.
Donn Schucker, Executive Director
P.O. Box 2171
Florissant, MO 63032-2171
Phone: (314) 606-7306
Email: ds@smaa-martialarts.com
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